Tortuguero night tour: Sea turtle nesting in the forest

Nocturnal animals hunting in the canopy, then sea turtles emerging to nest on sand

A night tour in Tortuguero National Park where you walk the forest with a certified local guide to observe green sea turtles nesting in their natural habitat and watch nocturnal wildlife moving and hunting through the darkness. The guide explains each stage of the turtle nesting process while protecting the species from disturbance. A flashlight is provided. The tour runs two to three hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Night walk and sea turtle nesting

• Walk in forest at night
• Observe nocturnal animals
• Watch green sea turtle nesting
• Listen to expert guide explanation

The experience

The tour starts after dark, when the forest shifts into a different rhythm. You walk with a local guide trained to read the nocturnal landscape: spotting animals moving through the canopy, hunting their prey, living out behaviors you would never see in daylight. The guide carries the knowledge of Tortuguero itself: the residents, the history of the national park, the patterns that shape life here. A flashlight is included so you can follow the guide's beam into the darkness without your own hands full.

The centerpiece is the green sea turtle nesting process. When conditions align, you'll watch turtles emerge from the ocean and move up the beach to dig and lay their eggs in the sand. The guide explains what happens at each stage: why the turtle moves the way it does, what the nest means for the species, how the environment responds. The guide also manages the group's presence so the turtles remain undisturbed. This is their habitat, and the tour is built around respecting it.

The walk covers forest floor and beach, and the pace is set by what appears. Two to three hours lets you move slowly enough to notice, without rushing through the darkness. Infants can join if held by an adult. The terrain is manageable for most fitness levels, though it is not suitable for wheelchair travelers. Public transportation options exist nearby if you need to arrange arrival at the meeting point.

What’s included

• Certified local guide in English or Spanish.
• flashlight.
• two to three hours of guided walking through the forest and beach to observe nocturnal animals and sea turtle nesting.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Spanish08:30, 09:30, 20:30 and 21:30

Guide in English or Spanish19:00 and 21:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 21:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 3 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 4.89

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tortuguero Chelonia Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to move slowly through the forest at night and watch wildlife in its active hours, rather than a daytime hike where most animals are resting. The nesting turtles are the draw, but the nocturnal forest itself (the movement, the hunting, the sounds) is what makes the experience complete.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (2 to 3 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What nocturnal animals might I see on the night walk through Tortuguero forest?

The tour focuses on observing nocturnal wildlife moving, hunting and living through their nighttime behaviors in the forest canopy and understory. The guide will point out animals as they appear and explain what they are doing, though specific species depend on what is active on the night you visit.

How does the guide protect the sea turtles while they are nesting?

The guide manages the group's position and behavior so the turtles are not disturbed during nesting. The guide explains the nesting process at each stage while keeping the group at a respectful distance and controlling light exposure so the turtles can complete their natural behavior.

Is this tour available in English?

Yes, the guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can book in either language.

How long does the night tour last?

The tour runs two to three hours, moving at a pace that lets you observe the forest and turtles without rushing through the darkness.

What should I bring or wear for a night walk in the forest?

A flashlight is provided. Wear closed shoes suitable for walking on sand and forest floor, and bring insect repellent and a light layer. The forest is warm but can feel cool at night, and insects are active after dark.