@globustrotterin

_{When chasing hatching babies turtles @ Tortuguero –}

Closing the chapter of Cahuita, the journey goes further to Tortuguero, a famous place still on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica for its national park, but most of all the nesting and hatching place of turtles. 

_{Turtles are the hearts of Tortuguero and protected here 🐢}

Why Tortuguero?

Costa Rica has beautiful nature and wildlife, and the country itself has been boosting eco-tourism since the past few years. Seeing wildlife in their habitat is a gift since their habitat is decreasing each year, therefore imho one shall go when one can. With the same mindset as with Cahuita’s trip, the next nearest national park would be Tortuguero indeed. 

_{There is no official way to go Tortuguero from Cahuita, therefore Google Maps chooses by feet 😂}

How to get there? 

It doesn’t matter where your starting point is, the only way to reach Tortuguero is by boat. 

If you are traveling from Cahuita, there are two options below to choose: 

• Take a bus to Moin for 7 USD, and then take a boat from Moin Pier to Tortuguero for 35 USD. This way your ride on land would be an hour and forty minutes and your boat ride would be three hours and a half. 

_{@ Moin Pier – one of the boat to Tortuguero}

• BUT, I would recommend you to save the hassle and just book a shuttle if you are okay with spending 65 USD per person. We booked the shuttle from Tortuguero Shuttle and were happy with the journey. The shuttle picked us up on time at 8 AM for an hour and then we were instructed for which boat to take along with the introduction to the boat’s captain at 10 AM. 

_{Our shuttle to Moin}

_{Waiting with a cute companion}

How was the boat ride?

It was an exciting ride! It felt like a tour since you are entering Costa Rican’s rainforest through the water. During the ride we, all of the passengers, saw a lot of animals, from the famous Costa Rican’s sloths, crocodiles, and different varieties of birds. Our boat captain was also kind and entertaining. He made some turns and stops when we passed by the animals. Even with limited English, he could still joke. All along it was a good ride. 

_{Front row view}

_{Life vests for safety on the boat} 

_{And we spotted crocs! This is one of them}

_{A pink spoonbill bird} 

_{A sloth among many animals that we saw 🥲}

Where did you stay? 

We booked our accommodation at Caribbean View Guesthouse for 34 USD per night. It was honestly an upgrade from last trip at Cahuita since the room is equipped with an AC and ensuite bathroom. Another plus points are free usage of coffee, tea & cooking seasoning, and the location. I don’t think I’ve ever had an accomodation with a beach just right a few steps from where I sleep. 

_{The bed, and there are also shelves and a little sofa along with AC across it} 

_{The ensuite bathroom with hot water and sliding door to the room}

_{Shared space for cooking & eating}

Did you rent a car in Tortuguero? 

No, it wasn’t needed. Tortuguero is even more packed than Cahuita in the sense that there is more life here, so in general things are nearer with each other in distance. 

_{Tortuguero main street} 

How was Tortuguero? 

Tortuguero is lively and busy. And you will feel it once you arrive there. As our boat just landed at the pier, there were already some people lining up to offer their tour services. As I walked through the town, shops and restaurants were open. Tourists walked the town. And the beach was well visited. Even though it is Caribbean, it is definitely not as small and slow as Cahuita. 

_{One of Tortuguero’s souvenir shop}

_{POV – Walking by Tortuguero’s church}

_{Tortuguero’s effort for keeping the environment free from cigarettes buds} 

_{Tortuguero Playa’s Vibe}

My fav. in Tortuguero

Dining Out/Snacking

Soda D’Leite – As a budget traveler, Soda is my go to place for dining in. And normally for a Casado/Lunch, you would get a drink. Even though, Soda D’Leite doesn’t offer lunch with drinks included, it was still a good place to have a decent lunch with an affordable price. Plus, it is one of the nearest Soda from the pier.

_{Lunch with beef stew, salad, dip, rice, and fries for 4.500 CRC. But the highlight is the brown dip which are these blendered beans.}

Pollo Fritto – I am a fan of fried chicken and was so happy to find this place. They have some combos for you to choose with tortillas as sides. 

_{Bought a combo to go of wing & breast with tortilla for 1.600 CRC} 

Papachino – As an Asian, I would crave Asian food after not eating it in a while. If you want to enjoy Asian cuisine in Tortuguero, Papachino is your go to place as the only place here who serves Asian food. 

_{I tried the Kung Pao Chicken (somehow with fries as well) for 5.300 CRC, it was delicious & full-filling}

Drinking & Snacking

Budda Cafe – They have a good variety of beer & drinks. And from 2 PM until 6 PM is the happy hour. 

_{You could sit beside the water to enjoy the Caribbean vibe. In the pic. – Pilsen for 1.800 CRC & ice cream milkshake for 3.300 CRC}

Dorling’s Bakery – The earliest bakery in Tortuguero. It is open everyday from 5 AM.

_{I always went hot chocolate & the traditional sugar coating white bread for 2.250 CRC}

Arroz con Leche from Paola – But she also sells other delicacies like empanadas, banana chips, and local cookies. You will find her on the crossroad just across the Pier.

_{The best in town for just 1.000 CRC & it is open since early in the morning as your breakfast option}

Shopping

Las Tortugas – The eye-catching supermarket in town since it has two turtles in front of it. Besides the provided selections of stuff, I love how kind and helpful the workers are. 

_{Actually there are 2 turtles in front of the supermarket}

The Cuma – Souvenir shop that I like the most. The lady seller is friendly and informative and the selections are not ordinary. 

_{Support local & handmade artists when you visit Tortuguero} 

Fruteria y Verduleria Tortuguero – The best place to buy fresh fruits & veggies in the village. 

_{You can also pay by card} 

Tour/Activities 

Sea Turtle Conservancy – The heart of Tortuguero imho since they have been doing important work, i.e. research & protecting the turtles, cooperating with the national park, Costa Rica’s government and local community for creating the sustainable eco-tourism in Tortuguero. 

_{Learn how STC protect the turtles in Tortuguero for just 2.5 USD} 

_{The head skulls of three main turtle species of Tortuguero}

_{Learn how the culture between Tortuguero’s Community & turtles changes in time}

Tortuguero Night Tour – We chose a night tour specifically since we were looking for other experiences in observing wildlife. Nocturnal wildlife are only visible and safe to be seen in this way because some are poisonous. We went with Roots Tours for 25 USD per cash since poncho & boots are provided when it rained plus flashlight & telescope to observe the animals better, which are not offered by every tour provider. As a result, our night tour was worth every penny! We saw at least 10 different wildlife and the search was fun. 

_{Thanks to Roberto, our guide, we got to observe the beauty of owl butterfly}

_{Sleeping baby iguana which we could only see this clear bcs of Roberto’s telescope}

_{Meet Esperanza – a mix of beauty between grasshopper & cicada which is a little bit hard to see since it imitates green leaves so well}

Tortuguero Cerro – Read more here.