Tortuga Island (Isla Tortuga)
Jaco, Puntarenas, 50503
Tortuga Island (Isla Tortuga) is a postcard-perfect paradise of white sandy beaches, swaying coconut palms, and sapphire-blue water rife with marine life. It’s the ideal spot to swim, snorkel, Jet Ski, or bask in the sunshine and play beach volleyball. That said, you can’t simply walk up in your flip flops and purchase Tortuga Island (Isla Tortuga) tickets. The island is only accessible from Costa Rica’s main cities via a boat ride across the Gulf of Nicoya. You’ll either have to book a guided tour or charter a boat and have an experienced captain at the helm. Fortunately, the trip over is scenic. Think of it as an extra perk.
The basics
Most travelers visit Tortuga Island for its waters. But the island also offers a mix of activities including hiking, canopy tours, and pickup volleyball games that keep visitors well entertained on land. Meanwhile, the volcanic reef surrounding the island is home to diverse wildlife, such as moray eels, spinner dolphins, and octopi. The island’s three shipwrecks are a popular destination for snorkel tours and diving tours.
Tortuga Island is an ideal day trip destination. Day trip cruises typically run from San Jose and Jaco on mainland Costa Rica. They allow visitors to glide past some of the 23 islands scattered around the Gulf of Nicoya.
Opt for a glass-bottom boat or sea kayak tour for a chance to admire the underwater scenery without getting wet. If you want to get wet, take a thrilling ride in a banana boat.
Things to know before you go
Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent.
Bars, restaurants, and local vendors offer food and drinks.
Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for protection from the sun, especially while you’re on the boat trip over to the island.
Tortuga Island is kid-friendly, and the day cruises to the island are popular among families.
How to get there
You can only arrive at Tortuga Island by boat. Operators depart from a variety of ports, including Jaco, Montezuma, Puntarenas, and San Jose. Most boat tours include snorkeling, typical Costa Rican meals, snacks like fresh fruit, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
When to get there
Tortuga Island is open year-round, with peak season running from late December through January. The island is only accessible via day tour, as there is no lodging on Tortuga. Though the official average of 120 visitors per week seems delightfully low, be aware that on weekends and in December and January, those numbers spike.
Turtle Islands
Tortuga Island is actually comprised of two islands, Alcatraz and Tolinga, but just about everyone refers to them as Isla Tortuga, or Turtle Island, named after the area’s most popular wildlife resident.
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