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Tortuguero National Park: Gateway via La Pavona

Your starting point for exploring Tortuguero National Park's canals, rainforests, and turtle nesting beaches. Boat tours and transport information available.

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Tortuguero National Park Local Info Boats & Tours serves as a crucial transit point to the famed Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica. Located in La Pavona, it facilitates access to the park's canals and beaches, renowned for their diverse wildlife and turtle nesting sites.

A brief summary to Tortuguero National Park Local Info Boats & Tours

  • La Pavona Tortuguero, Cariari, Limón Province, 70205, CR
  • Visit website

Local tips

  • Arrive early at La Pavona, especially during peak season, to secure your boat ticket and avoid potential delays.
  • Bring sufficient cash, as there are limited ATM services in Tortuguero village.
  • Pack light, quick-drying clothing and rain gear, as Tortuguero is hot, humid, and prone to rainfall.
  • Book your Tortuguero National Park entrance and tours in advance, particularly during turtle nesting season.
  • Consider a guided canoe tour for a more intimate wildlife viewing experience in the park's smaller canals.
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Getting There

  • Boat

    From La Pavona, the final leg to Tortuguero is exclusively by boat. Public boats depart several times daily, typically at 7:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:30 PM. Purchase your ticket at the restaurant near the dock. The boat trip navigates through rivers and canals, offering scenic views of the rainforest. The journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on water levels. Expect to pay around $8 USD (approximately ₡4,000) per person for the boat fare. There may be a separate charge of around $2 USD (approximately ₡1,000) per bag for luggage. Be prepared for potential delays, as boats often wait for the arrival of the local bus from Cariari.

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Discover more about Tortuguero National Park Local Info Boats & Tours

Tortuguero National Park Local Info Boats & Tours, situated in the small village of La Pavona, is the primary access point for many travelers venturing to Tortuguero National Park. This vital hub provides boat tours and transportation services that connect the mainland to the remote, road-free village of Tortuguero and its surrounding natural wonders. La Pavona itself is a small, bustling community that serves almost exclusively as a gateway to Tortuguero. The main draw, of course, is Tortuguero National Park, a protected area established in 1975 to safeguard the region's abundant biodiversity, including its namesake sea turtles. The park encompasses a diverse range of habitats, from lush rainforests and winding canals to swamps, lagoons, and pristine beaches. Visitors flock to Tortuguero for a chance to witness the incredible spectacle of sea turtle nesting, which occurs primarily between June and October. Green turtles are the most common species, but leatherbacks, hawksbills, and loggerheads also nest here. Boat tours through the park's intricate network of canals offer unparalleled opportunities to spot wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, toucans, crocodiles, and a myriad of other exotic animals. While Tortuguero's dark sand beaches aren't ideal for swimming due to strong currents and sharks, they provide a unique landscape for observing wildlife and turtle nesting. The park's remote location and lack of roads contribute to its unspoiled charm, offering a genuine encounter with Caribbean culture and a chance to immerse oneself in nature.

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