Getting to Tortuguero: 6 Transportation Options

If you are wondering how to get to Tortuguero, Costa Rica, you’ve come to the right place!

Tortuguero is a bit different than a lot of towns in Costa Rica because it is not directly accessible by car or shuttle. Yeap, there are no cars in this village. 

Instead, it is possible to get here by plane from San Jose or by boat from La Pavona. 

We have visited Tortuguero several times and have figured out the 6 best ways to get here. 

So let’s go through each option and find the best route for you!

Boat from La Pavona to Tortuguero

The small village of La Pavona serves as the gateway to Tortuguero.

Unless you opt to take a domestic flight directly to Tortuguero, you will need to take a public or private water taxi from La Pavona.

I will explain all the different ways to get to La Pavona in the next section. But first, once you get to La Pavona, here is what you can expect.

Additionally, it is possible to take a private boat service from the La Pavona dock. This will cost a lot more (up to about $20 per person one way), but this is the best option if you can’t get a spot on the public boat. 

The one private service I know of is called Fersa. They run daily at 9:15am, 11:15am, 12:45am, 3:15pm, and 4:15pm.

If you’d like, you can contact them, their Whatsapp number is +506 8831 6401 or you can reach out to them via their Facebook page. 

I don’t suggest paying for anything ahead of time. I do not know if they have a secure booking system. 

Additionally, you can always contact your hotel in Tortuguero. They deal with this on a daily basis and can most likely organize boat transportation for you. 

You really do not want to have to spend the night at La Pavona. There is not a single hotel here, so you would have to sleep in your rental car.

In other words, make sure you are on the last boat for the day or you are kind of stuck.

However, I have read that there is free WIFI and they keep the bathrooms at the dock open all night. So, if you do get stuck here and need to sleep in your vehicle, it’s not THAT uncomfortable. 

Things to Consider

• It is best to bring as little luggage as possible
• If possible, opt for a large travel backpack instead of a suitcase. We love the 70-liter bag with a removable day pack from Osprey.
• It can be a bit difficult to get in and out of the boat if you have mobility issues

Now let’s go through each transportation option to find one that is best for you.…

Option #1: Rental Car & Boat

Cons of Rental Car

• You will be paying to keep your rental car at the La Pavones lot for the number of nights you are in Tortuguero. So, not only are you paying for a rental car you aren’t using but you will also be paying the parking fee.
• The drive here is a bit of an adventure (especially if coming from San Jose)

Parking Your Rental Car at La Pavones

There is a fenced-in and guarded parking lot at the La Pavones boat terminal. 

The parking lot is massive, so there is no need to pre-book tickets. 

It costs 6,000 colones per night (about $12) to leave your rental car here. You can pay for this upon arrival.

The Drive from San Jose

From the San Jose International Airport, it takes approximately 3 hours to drive to La Pavones Harbor.

However, just keep in mind that it could potentially take a lot longer depending on the traffic you hit in San José and the road work that seems to inevitably always be happening on Route 32. 

The drive here from San Jose is a bit intense. You will begin by driving around the outside of the city. The roads can be very confusing and a bit scary if you aren’t familiar with driving here. 

Once out of the city, you will continue on Route 32. This road is a highway in the sense that there is a decent amount of traffic and cars go fast. But, it is probably way more curvy than a lot of highways you are used to.

Toward the beginning of your drive, you will have to pay a toll before going through a tunnel. You can pay in US dollars or colones.

I like Route 32 because it is a cloud forest and always has a bit of moody feel to it. 

After about one hour on Route 32 you will come to the town of Guápiles. Here you will take a left and continue northwest towards La Pavones.

This part of the drive goes through several small towns. It is mostly a low-stress route and I think it is very pretty.

The last part of the drive is unpaved, but the road is well-matted down and is easy to drive. 

The Drive from La Fortuna

The drive from La Fortuna is nice and mostly stress free. It will take 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic.

You will head east out of the main downtown area onto Route 4. Just stay on Route 4 for about 1.5 hours until you meet up with Route 32. On Route 32 you will experience a bit more traffic.

In Guápiles, turn left and continue north east towards La Pavona.

The Drive from the Southern Caribbean Coast (Cahuita & Puerto Viejo)

From Puerto Viejo or Cahuita it will take about 4 hours to drive here depending on the traffic.

You will drive north on the main road until you reach the city of Limon. Traffic can get more intense here (this is the main Caribbean Coast export terminal so there are a lot of 18-wheelers).

You will turn left to head west on Route 32 until you reach the town of Guápiles. Turn right in Guapiles to head to La Pavona.

Things to Note

• Waze is the best free app for driving directions in Costa Rica.
• Put La Pavona, not Tortuguero, as your destination in your GPS.
• Leave as early as possible in the morning so that you will have plenty of time to catch a water taxi even if you hit traffic.

Option #2: Shared Transfer

Best For: Solo travelers or couples. People who don’t want the stress of driving or the price of flying.

A shared shuttle service is a good option because everything is taken care of for you.

These transfers will take you by shuttle and then by boat to the village of Tortuguero.

Option #3: Flight

Best For: People who would like the fastest and easiest route to Tortuguero. Not on a tight budget.

Sansa Airlines offers direct flights to the Tortuguero Airport from the domestic terminal at San Jose International Airport twice daily. 

Price: This typically costs about $120 per person. 

Flight Time: The flight takes about 30 minutes

Considerations: 

• The domestic terminal in San Jose is not located in the main international airport. It is a 5 minute walk away. Give yourself a few hours between your international and domestic flight.
• If you don’t do well with small planes, this is not for you.
• If you want amazing aerial views, this is for you.
• If you are short on time, this is the fastest way to get to Tortuguero.
• If you are on a tight budget, this option is not for you. 

Check Flight Prices and Availability

Option #4: Packaged Tours to Tortuguero

If this all seems a bit overwhelming to you, you might want to consider taking a multi-day tour to Tortuguero from San Jose. 

This is a great option if:

• You don’t want to rent a car
• You want to take the stress out of planning everything yourself
• If you are flying in and out of the San Jose International Airport and want to add a visit to Tortuguero on to the beginning or end of your trip. 

Our top two Tortuguero tour package suggestions are:

Additionally, you might consider planning your entire Costa Rica itinerary as a guided vacation.

Here are two tours that we love which include a visit to Tortuguero. 

Option #6: Public Bus to La Pavona from San Jose

If you are on a very tight budget it is possible to get to the La Pavona dock by local bus. However, there is no direct route and it can get a bit complicated as far as timing everything correctly. 

You will need to take the bus from San Jose to Cariari and then switch to a bus that goes to La Pavona.

San Jose to Cariari

• Depart from: The Caribbean bus terminal (Caribeños or Gran Caribe) in Barrio Tournon.
• Departure Times: 06:30 am, 09:00 am, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm
  • Note: Later departures won’t reach Cariari in time for the last bus to La Pavona. Take the 6:30 am or 9:00 am bus to be safe.
• Ticket Information: Available at the terminal counter for approximately $3.50 / ₡1600.
• Route Length: It should take about 2 hours to get to Cariari, but it could take a lot longer with traffic

Cariari to La Pavona

• Departure Point: Buses to La Pavona wait at the Cariari bus terminal. Look for guides or locals at the terminal for assistance. In rare cases, check for buses outside the terminal.
• Departure Times: 05:00h, 09:00h, 11:30h, 15:00h.
• Ticket Information: Purchase tickets on the bus from the driver for about $2.20 / ₡1100.
• Additional Note: La Pavona is the last stop on this route.

More Info About Tortuguero

Conclusion: Transportation to Tortuguero

In conclusion, getting to Tortuguero can be an adventure, but overall I think it is worth it. The village is amazing and the boat ride feel like you are going to Jurrasic Park.

Now that you know all of this, which transportation option will you choose?

If you have any questions about planning your trip don’t hesitate to ask in the comment section below. We are always happy to help you out!

You might also be interested in:

• Tortuguero National Park Guide: Best Canoe Tours, Hiking & Turtle Nesting
• The 10 Best Places to Stay in Tortuguero From Luxury Eco-Lodges to Budget Caribbean Guesthouses
• The 7 Best Places to See Sea Turtles in Costa Rica and When to Visit Each One
• The 12 Best Things to Do in Tortuguero, Costa Rica for Every Type of Traveler
• Costa Rica Car Rental: Key Tips for the Best Experience