Tortuguero Turtle Nesting Tour: Watch Sea Turtles Spawn

Walk the beach at night and watch sea turtles lay eggs

A night tour in Tortuguero where you hike forest trails to the beach and observe sea turtles during their nesting and spawning process, staying at a distance and letting the animals complete their natural cycle. The tour runs one to two hours with a live guide in English or Spanish. You'll need a decal (mandatory for beach access) and must wear dark clothing with no cameras or phones on the sand.

Step-by-step itinerary

Turtle sighting tour at night

• Join guided turtle sighting tour
• Walk trails to waiting posts
• Enter beach to observe turtles
• Watch sea turtles laying eggs

The experience

The tour starts after dark, when your guide leads you along forest trails toward the beach. You'll move at a measured pace through the night landscape, stopping at waiting posts as you approach the shoreline. The goal is to arrive when sea turtles are ready to nest, so timing depends on the turtles themselves. This is not a guaranteed sighting, but rather a chance to witness one of nature's most significant moments if conditions align.

Once on the beach, you observe from a distance without touching or interfering. The guide positions the group to watch the spawning process: the moment when a turtle digs into the sand and lays her eggs. This is the core of the experience: watching an ancient cycle unfold in real time, undisturbed. Cameras and phones are not permitted on the beach, so you'll carry only what you need and rely on your own attention to hold the moment.

Dark clothing is mandatory. White or light colors disrupt the turtles' behavior. The decal (a small sticker or badge) is required to access the beach and supports the conservation effort. Your guide speaks English or Spanish and manages the pacing and positioning so the group stays out of the way while staying close enough to witness the nesting.

What’s included

• Live guide in English or Spanish.
• night hike through forest trails to the beach.
• observation of sea turtle nesting and spawning from a safe distance.
• decal or peganita for beach access (mandatory).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayLast departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesUp to 80 years

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.Operator's directions: “Tortuguero main dock”

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.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Don Chico Tours

Is this one for you?The tour involves a night hike and standing on the beach for an extended period, so it suits travelers with moderate fitness and comfort walking in darkness. It's not suitable for those with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns, pregnancy, or significant walking limitations.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

70 verified traveler reviews

5 ★70

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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 exactly do you see during the turtle nesting tour in Tortuguero?

You observe sea turtles during their spawning process (the moment they lay eggs on the beach) along with other stages of their nesting behavior. The tour does not guarantee a sighting, as timing depends on when the turtles come ashore, but if conditions align, you'll watch this natural cycle from a respectful distance.

How long does the Tortuguero turtle tour take?

The tour runs one to two hours, starting after dark and continuing until the nesting observation is complete or the turtles have finished their cycle.

What do I need to bring or wear for the turtle nesting tour?

You must wear dark clothing and completely avoid white or light colors, as they disrupt turtle behavior. Cameras, cell phones and other devices are not allowed on the beach. You'll need to purchase a decal or peganita (a mandatory beach access sticker) to participate.

Is the tour physically demanding?

The tour involves hiking forest trails at night and walking on the beach, so a moderate level of fitness is needed. The pace is steady but not rushed, and your guide adjusts for the group's movement.