Turtle spawning in Tortuguero

This tour is a MUST if you visit Tortuguero. Great communication prior to the tour, all details well explained, on time meet with Antonio. He was not the person with us in the tour, however, he introduced the person who guide us. Orvin was really great, knowledgeable about the turtles, and focused on following the rules to avoid impacting the turtle process.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An absolutely wonderful experience and, without a doubt, one of the most magical moments of our trip through Costa Rica. 🐢❤️ We were lucky enough to experience something very special: we were able to see how a turtle laid her eggs and accompany her during the entire process until she finally returned to the sea. It was exciting to be able to observe everything up close and experience such a unique moment that we will always remember. From the very first moment, they treated us great. Everything was very comfortable and we were accompanied at all times. Our guide explained many interesting things to us, answered all our questions, and the affection and respect she has for the turtles and her work was evident. We want to thank our guide Arelis for allowing us to live such a special experience and doing it in such a respectful way toward the animals. We take home a beautiful memory of Tortuguero and we highly recommend this experience. Without a doubt, we would do it again. 🐢🌿✨

Very beautiful experience and truly in contact with nature, we witnessed the egg laying and a team of volunteers performed a check-up on the turtle, ensuring its health. A negative note: we were asked for an additional payment, which was not expected at the beginning, of 7 dollars per person (mandatory).

Very exciting experience; we saw all the steps of the process from the egg-laying at 1m distance from the turtle. After the meeting point, you go to another meeting point where all the groups converge. The park assigns the sector where some groups (of 10 people) will go and in that sector there is at least one turtle. We were lucky to see one coming out of the sea and another returning - but this is an extra from nature. You go through in groups to see the turtle and with a red light you see the laying, how they cover it and if you are lucky, how they return or how they arrive and make the nest. You have to wear closed-toe shoes because there is mud and check the weather well so that the rain does not catch us off guard! Thanks to Arelis and Antonio, the two guides, who were always attentive and answered our questions! It was an unforgettable experience!

Great experience with Arelis

We chose this specific tour because unlike a lot of other tours, we were able to pick the later time (if available - availability is governed by the slots and zones allocated by the central authority on the day) whereas other tours didn’t offer a choice or preference. Information about what to expect and how to prepare was exceptional and much appreciated. We followed advice to wear dark, long sleeved clothing to prevent mosquito bites and avoid unnecessary flapping over insects on the beach which could distract the turtles. Our guide, Carla was very knowledgeable and prepared us well for how to enter the beach. No light is allowed and phones, torches and smartwatches need to be in your bag. She explained the process the turtles go through when nesting and what we would see and how it would happen once on the beach. We had to wait a while until a turtle was on the beach but Carla kept us informed all the time about what was happening and pointed out when the turtle came on to the beach which was amazing to see. Again we had to wait until the turtle had begun to lay its eggs which took a while but Carla told us lots of information and answered any questions we had about turtles - her English was excellent. The central authority control what happens when the turtles are there and we were able to see the turtle lay her eggs a couple of times - there were a few other groups who rotated round the turtle but we had plenty chance to see what was going on. We also saw the turtle cover her eggs and then a different turtle leave the beach, which was also an incredible experience - very full circle. Carla made sure we got back to our hotel (we were very fortunate that the turtle chose a spot very close to our hotel!). An incredible experience and would highly recommend. No photos as you are not able to take any!

What can only be described as a privilege to have observed one of life’s greatest events. Our guides Antonio and his wife Carla were incredible, fully describing the process, what to expect (if you are lucky enough that nature allows) and most importantly the strict rules to comply with turtle conservation. We were still early in the green turtle season on 12th July and had the pleasure of witnessing a turtle come ashore. We then observed another turtle laying her eggs and saw the beginning of the nest covering and disguising process. Finally, we were lucky enough to see a third turtle returning to the sea. An experience we will never forget and made all the better by our guides Antonio and Carla. Thank you both for an unforgettable start to our Costa Rican adventure.

What can only be described as a privilege to have observed one of life’s greatest events. Our guides Antonio and his wife Carla were incredible, fully describing the process, what to expect (if you are lucky enough that nature allows) and most importantly the strict rules to comply with turtle conservation. We were still early in the green turtle season on 12th July and had the pleasure of witnessing a turtle come ashore. We then observed another turtle laying her eggs and saw the beginning of the nest covering and disguising process. Finally, we were lucky enough to see a third turtle returning to the sea. An experience we will never forget and made all the better by our guides Antonio and Carla. Thank you both for an unforgettable start to our Costa Rican adventure.

Well arranged. The operator contacted us and made sure that the appointment and the meeting point were communicated clearly to ensure success. They took our personal wishes into account. We were picked up by the guide from our hotel and spotted the turtles close by our hotel.

Overall, we had a pleasant experience with the turtle spawning tour. We went earlier in the season (June) so knew going in that sightings are more inconsistent. Ahead of the tour, the operator messaged us and let us know they had seen turtles the previous few nights. We met our guide at the main dock in town, and she gave us an overview of the night. However, once we got to the beach and started looking for turtles, communication broke down. We ran back and forth across the beach for 3 hrs based on reports of turtles from other guides - but this information was not well communicated to us. Our guide then left our group alone on the beach to look for turtles, but didn't let us know that is what was going on. We did eventually find a turtle, but because there was only 1 turtle all other groups were also there so would spend 30 seconds - 1 minute at a time observing her, before moving on for the next group. Would have liked some of these expectations outlined at the start (especially the time with the turtle), but my partner and I are wildlife professionals so also understand that is the way of nature sometimes! At the end the tour operator helped us to arrange a late night boat taxi back to our hotel which was much appreciated!