3-dagars Tortuguero-expedition

My 3 day (2 night) trip to Tortuguero was excellent. It was well coordinated & enabled me to go straight to La Fortuna from there via Paquere. The only problem was the weather, however ponchos & wellies were provided for the hike in the National Park.

The landscape is very beautiful and different,but as for the view of animals and very scarce, many boats and noise, amazes the animals.

We organized Exploradores Outdoors for a transfer from La Fortuna to Tortuguero and from Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo. Everything was very well organized. We were picked up on time early in the morning and picked up and received a sumptuous breakfast on the way there at their headquarters. After Tortuguero we even had a guide in the car and boat. Clara was very committed, brought the country and its people closer and is very respectful and committed to animal and environmental protection.

We had three great days in Tortuguero with Exploradores Outdoors! Unfortunately our backpack was damaged by mice at the depot. Exploradores Outdoors responded immediately and compensated us for the damage. We had not expected it at all. Really very accommodating and customer friendly!

The service was amazing and we came back with many memories. The transport was on time, although at times packed (all seats full, including those in the aisle). Our guides were friendly and knowledgeable. The activities were all fantastic and the lodging very nice, even the inexpensive option. I highly recommend the canoe tour, the city and National Park tour, and the turtle tour.

We had a fantastic time. We were especially impressed with our guides at Tortuguero Village. I think it was Eric? who took us on the most amazing tour of the village in which we saw everything from spider monkeys to medicinal plants. I never imagined that a simple walk around a small village would be so mind-blowing. Then our guide Abel who took us out in the canoe, and later on foot through the jungle was also really good. We saw so much, and he is a nice relaxed and interesting person as well. My number one tip is to bring cash with you to Tortuguero village. Only a few places take cards, so you will be buying food, drinks, tips, handicrafts, etc. all with cash. We were really limited because we hadn't brought much cash with us.

Tortuguero is beautiful. The town is lovely, the boat and canoe trip in the river and the walk through the National Park is wonderful, with a good number of animal sightings. The hotel is comfortable. Our guide Isaac on the canoe was especially knowledgable. That said, the transport is not well organised at all for those that are not rafting. This company organises rafting, as well as onward transport to La Fortuna, San Jose and Puerto Viejo. They have a 'centre' at Siquirres, right by the rafting. Whether or not it makes sense for your trip, they bring everyone from San Jose to this centre and then you board another bus to Tortuguero. Same when you're coming back from Tortuguero. İt means you drive the complete wrong direction, wait for people to finish rafting, wait over an hour at this centre where they tell you lunch is USD10, then get on another bus to go back towards San Jose. İf you don't want this trip to steal at least 2 hours of your life each way, I suggest you seek a different company with actual direct transport to Tortuguero.