Town in Limón, Costa Rica
Getting around Tortuguero
How to get around Tortuguero
No roads reach the village: everyone arrives by boat. On the ground you walk or take a boat, and tours go by canal.
Ways to get around Tortuguero
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Public boat from La Pavona | 4,000 CRC per person, plus about 1,000 CRC per bag | About 1–1.5 hours; boats leave about seven times a day, 6:00–16:30 |
| Bus San José to Cariari, then La Pavona | About 6,600 CRC combined with the boat | About 2.5 hours to Cariari, then a local bus to La Pavona; 4.5–5 hours in all |
| Shared shuttle plus boat from San José | About 33,000–35,000 CRC (about 70 USD) per person | Door-to-door transfer and boat in one; private van about 220 USD for up to 8 |
| Walking | Free | The village is a few streets; paths are concrete and board-walk |
Taxis in Tortuguero
- No ride-hailing apps operate here. No taxis or ride apps. Water taxis and tour boats are booked through your lodge or village tour offices.
Arriving in Tortuguero
Via San José (Juan Santamaría) (SJO)
No airport transfer: take a shuttle or bus to La Pavona or Cariari, then a boat; 4.5–5 hours in total. Shared shuttle about 33,000–35,000 CRC, or about 6,600 CRC by public bus and boat.
Driving and onward travel
- Driving: on the right. Foreign licences are valid for the length of your tourist stay; carry your original passport when driving.
- Onward travel in Costa Rica: Cheap public buses reach almost everywhere from San José but are slow. Shared shuttles, Sansa domestic flights and rental cars (4x4 in rainy season) are faster.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Tortuguero?
No ride-hailing apps work here. No taxis or ride apps. Water taxis and tour boats are booked through your lodge or village tour offices.
What's the best way to get around Tortuguero?
No roads reach the village: everyone arrives by boat. On the ground you walk or take a boat, and tours go by canal.
How do I get from the airport to Tortuguero?
No airport transfer: take a shuttle or bus to La Pavona or Cariari, then a boat; 4.5–5 hours in total. Shared shuttle about 33,000–35,000 CRC, or about 6,600 CRC by public bus and boat.
Is Tortuguero walkable?
Very walkable.
More about Tortuguero
Going to Tortuguero solo?
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Sources
- Interbus (shared shuttles)
- Sansa (domestic flights)
- Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT)
- SINAC (national parks)
- CCSS (public health)
- Two Weeks in Costa Rica: getting to Tortuguero (boat and shuttle fares)
- Frommer's: Tortuguero planning (ATM, clinic)
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.