Things to do in Tortuguero Village
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Daryl Loth
A personable Canadian-born naturalist (formerly of Coterc) offers excellent boat trips in a super-silent electric motorboat, as well as turtle tours (in season) and guided hikes.
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Paraíso Tropical Store
A sprawling shop on the north side capped by a giant toucan statue on a pole sells pricey souvenirs and NatureAir tickets; it also cashes traveler’s checks.
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Jungle Tom Safaris
Offers recommended one-day (US$90), overnight (from US$115) and two-night packages (from US$147) or just round-trip transportation (US$45) – useful for independent travelers who want to be free upon arrival.
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Soda Doña María
Recover from a hike in the park at this riverside soda, serving fresh jugos (juices), burgers and tasty fish casados. It’s about 200m north of the park entrance.
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Miss Miriam’s
Right next door to La Casona is this little place, bursting with flavor and character. Run by Miss Miriam’s friendly and fabulous daughter, it’s so good you’ll want to eat all of your meals here. Don’t miss the well-spiced Caribbean chicken (the best we tasted on the entire coast), served with heaping sides of sautéed fresh veggies and Caribbean-style rice and beans.
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La Taberna
Adjacent to Tropical Lodge, overlooking the canal, this popular tavern is mellow in the afternoons, but draws the party people after dark, with cold beer and blaring reggaetón. The highlight, however, is the decor: namely, a life-sized statue of Jar Jar Binks.
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Dorling Bakery
Outstanding homemade banana bread, lemon cake and other pastries get you even more wired when combined with a shot of espresso. In the evenings, it sells BBQ meats – of the sort that will keep your mouth watering – along with the mouths of all the local stray dogs. Good times.
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Chico
Chico’s hiking and canoe tours receive rave reviews. Ask at Cabinas Miss Miriam.
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Castor Hunter Thomas
A local who has worked as a guide for more than 20 years leads turtle tours (in season), guided hikes and wonderful canoe tours. Ask at Soda Doña María.
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Caribbean Conservation Corporation
About 200m north of Tortuguero village, the CCC operates a research station that has a small visitor center and museum. Exhibits focus on all things turtle-related, including a video about the history of local turtle conservation.
CCC also runs a highly reputable environmental volunteer program, recommended by none other than National Geographic. During nesting season, interested folks can assist with turtle tagging and egg counts, and during bird-migration seasons, help with mist-netting and point-counts. Volunteer fees start at US$1450 per week and include bunk-house accommodations, all meals, first and last nights’ hotel room in San José and transport to and from the c…
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Caribbean Conservation Corporation
This renowned long-time organization that has myriad volunteer options at its research station in Tortuguero.
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Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation
This not-for-profit organization operates the Estación Biológica Caño Palma, 7km north of Tortuguero village. This small biological research station houses a diminutive museum that contains, among other things, an impressive collection of skulls. From here, a network of trails wind through the surrounding rainforest. Coterc is surrounded on three sides by water, so you’ll have to hire a boat to get here.
The group also runs a volunteer program, in which visitors can assist with upkeep of the station and ongoing research projects, including sea-turtle and bird monitoring and plant-diversity inventories. Volunteer fees start at US$250 and include accommodations in dorm…
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Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation
This reputable Canadian not-for-profit has various volunteer opportunities at its research station in Tortuguero.
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Buddha Cafe
A riverside spot keeps a hipster vibe with ambient-club music on the sound system and Buddhist ‘om’ symbols stenciled onto just about everything. It’s a lovely spot, with excellent pizzas, rich coffee and scrumptious crepes (both savory and sweet). Grab a table outside or plant yourself in a deck chair for a prime view of the yellow-bellied flycatchers zipping over the canal. Credit cards accepted.
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Barbara Hartung
Offers hiking, canoe and turtle tours in German, English, French or Spanish. Also offers a unique tour about Tortuguero history, culture and medicinal plants.
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Riverboat Francesca Nature Tours
A highly recommended company run by Modesto and Fran Watson, it also offers sportfishing (two-day packages from US$165).
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Exploradores Outdoors
Primarily a rafting outfit, this company organizes overnight excursions from San José, Arenal and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (per person US$169).
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Restaurante Tortuguero
A big log cabin offers what the owners claim is ‘the Best Breakfast in Costa Rica,’ which will set you back [colones] 1700 to [colones] 4280. Credit cards accepted.
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Miss Junie’s
This is Tortuguero’s best-known restaurant – serving a bevy of local specialties: chicken, fish, lobster and many other dishes, all served in flavorful Caribbean sauces, with traditional rice and beans.
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La Culebra
The town’s only nightclub is a barren concrete space where thumping music makes for a good dance floor, or hang out at the waterside bar area for beer and bocas. This place rocks during turtle season. It’s next to the public boat dock in the center of town.
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La Casona
On the northern edge of the soccer field, it serves a variety of Italian specialties, including a well-rendered lasagna made with hearts of palm.
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Grupo Morpho Pulpería
You can grab groceries at a number of little markets; our favorite is the Grupo Morpho Pulpería – which is the best stocked and most reasonable. Look for super tasty ‘Mmmio’ ice-cream bars in the freezer. It’s across from the public dock.
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Asociación Widecast
This grassroots NGO has volunteer opportunities in Cahuita and Gandoca, on the southern coast.
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Asociación Salvemos Las Tortugas de Parismina
This small, locally run organization coordinates important conservation activities in Parismina.
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