Mirror canals, coastal trails, and night walks — how lodge guests explore Costa Rica's Caribbean "Amazon" without rushing.
Tortuguero National Park wraps rainforest, mangroves, beaches and the legendary canals into one protected maze. From El Deseo Serendipity you are already inside that world — the park is not a day-trip destination so much as the backyard.
Ways to go out
- •By boat at dawn: Glide while howlers start calling and herons hunt the edges. River routes reach quieter water than short canoe loops.
- •On foot: Coastal trails inside the park reward slow walking with a guide who reads tracks and canopy movement.
- •After dark: Night walks flip the jungle — frogs, snakes, UV-glowing arthropods, and birds asleep on branches.
Tickets and timing
Foreign visitors buy park entry online (often around $17 per person per day — confirm current rates). Some combo tours include the ticket; ask the lodge which options already cover it.
Wildlife that shows up often
Howler, spider and white-faced monkeys; two- and three-toed sloths; toucans and macaws among 300+ bird species; caimans and river turtles; poison-dart frogs; and, with luck, otter sightings or jaguar tracks on the beach.
Guide wisdom we share with guests
Leave early — activity drops after mid-morning. Wear quiet colors, borrow binoculars when offered, and always go with a certified local guide. They see what cameras miss.
Planning your Tortuguero trip?
Book direct and we'll arrange tours, meals and transport for you.
