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Located on the pacific side of Costa Rica, Tortuga Island is one of the best places to visit on a day trip from San José or Jaco.
It’s known for its beautiful beach, snorkelling spots and viewpoints.
It’s also one of the few places in the country where you can find a white(ish) sand beach.
Due to the volcanic activity, a lot of beaches in Costa Rica have black sand but here the sand is pretty clear.
I went to Costa Rica as a travel coordinator for an adventure group tour and since I had a few days to spare, I decided to go to Tortuga Island.
Here you will find everything you need to know about this amazing day trip.
How to get to Tortuga Island
The best way to get to Tortuga Island is with a tour. As the name suggest, it’s an island which means you have to take a boat.
While you could sort out a taxi boat, it would be a pretty expensive option and it won’t make the experience much better. The best option is to book a day tour from San José, Jaco or Puntarenas.
I particularly recommend the Isla Tortuga Tour with Inside Costa Rica, it was fabulous and definitely worth the money.
Here are all your options:
- From San José. Prices here.
- From Jaco. Prices here.
- From Puntarenas. Prices here.
Tortuga Island Tour from San José Review & Itinerary
I personally opted for the Inside Costa Rica tour from San José. While I had my doubts (it costs over $100!), it was an amazing experience and worth every cent.
I booked the tour online here. The day before the tour, the operator contacted me on Whatsapp to send me all the information and ask what I wanted for lunch.
There were two meat options, fish and vegan.
They also confirmed the pickup time from my hotel which was 5:30AM.
5:30AM Pick up and Breakfast
In the morning, the guide (and minibus) came. They were perfectly on time. The minivan was very comfortable and clean. It’s also for small groups which is very convenient. Nobody likes being in a big bus.
We then drove for about 45 minutes to a breakfast spot and stopped there for 40 minutes. It gave us enough time to get coffee and brekkie and go to the toilet.
We went back on the bus and drove for another 45 minutes to Puntarenas where the boat was waiting for us.
8AM: Boat from Puntarenas
Once in Puntarenas, we got off the bus and went to the boat. There are facilities such as toilets and showers there.
We hopped on the speedboat (once again, it was quite small, just our group, which was great), put the lifejackets on and started going towards the island.
The boat ride takes 60 to 90 minutes but it’s very scenic and fun so time is flying. We saw loads of pelicans and other birds.
The guide is with you the entire time and explains why Tortuga Island was named as such (it’s not the official name, it’s just the locals who named it that way because the shape is similar to a turtle).
10AM: Snorkelling
We arrived at the islands near 10AM and stopped at the snorkelling spot. It’s very close to Tortuga Island so the scenery is very nice.
The captain and guide gave us the snorkelling equipment and from there we could go in the water. You can either jump from the boat or use the stairs at the back.
If you are a good swimmer, you can go without your lifejacket but it is otherwise recommended.
Depending on the day, the water might be clear or not. I went during the rainy season so I wasn’t in luck and couldn’t see much.
On a nice and sunny day though, it would have been a lovely experience.
10:30AM: Beach on Tortuga Island
Since we couldn’t see much on the water, the captain brought us to the beach on the island.
Here you will find plenty of things to do. There are loads of small beach bars selling coco locos, piña coladas and food.
You will also find lounge chairs and umbrellas available for hire.
If you want to add more adventure to your trip, you can hire a SUP or a kayak. They are actually quite affordable.
11AM: Hike to the viewpoints
It’s also important to note that there is a hiking path that takes you up to the viewpoints. It’s located behind the souvenir shop (ask the guide to bring you there) and costs $5 to enter.
The hike takes about 1 hour to complete so it’s better to do it when you arrive so you can then go for lunch and enjoy the beach.
The path is very straightforward since it’s a loop and there is tape alongside the trail so you really can’t get lost.
Once you get to the top (around number 21 on the map), you’ll notice a path going on the left hand side with a sign saying it adds 20 minutes to the main trail.
Make sure to take it because that’s the one that will actually bring you to the viewpoints.
Also, the main path is only 40 minutes long so when I say it takes an hour, that’s with the added bit.
Once you get to the top, you will discover beautiful views of the island and on a nice and sunny day, you’ll see the water is beautifully blue.
You can then head back down to the beach.
Keep an eye on the wildlife because there are deer, small wild pigs and more.
12PM: Lunch
Head to the bar indicated by the guide in the morning to get lunch.
I personally got the fish which was very good but everyone in the group was happy with what they got so you can’t make a bad choice.
We were also given iced tea, cookies and coffee after the meal.
12:30PM: Beach time
After lunch, you can enjoy some more beach time for a couple of hours.
The boat will pick you up around 2:30PM which gives plenty of time to relax or do one of the water activities.
2:30PM: Back on the boat
The captain of the boat comes around 2:30PM. At this point, you can hop back on the vessel and make your way back to Puntarenas.
This trip tends to be slightly shorter since they go a bit faster.
Once you get to the dock, you can use the showers, changing rooms and toilets before going back on the bus.
4PM: Heading back
Once everyone is ready, you can head back to the bus and the driver will start driving back to San José.
If you wish to, you can make a stop at the same breakfast place to use the toilets.
The guide will give you the choice but I highly recommend you do because you can then be stuck in traffic in San José for quite a long time.
We were supposed to be back a bit before 6PM but because of the traffic, we only made it back at 7PM.
Was the Isla Tortuga Tour worth it?
Absolutely! I really enjoyed this tour and it was one of the best days I had in Costa Rica.
Tours can be very expensive in Costa Rica and it’s always hard to spend over $100 on a day tour but this one was totally worth it.
I loved the island. I thought it was beautiful, the boat trip was fun and everything was very well organised. The guide and other members of staff were very kind and helpful.
Also, between the bus, the boat, the lunch and everything, I actually thought the price was reasonable.
Tips to enjoy your day trip to Tortuga Island
Here are some of my best tips to help you enjoy your trip to Tortuga Island.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses as the sun can be very strong in Costa Rica.
- Bring a towel and a change of clothes whether you plan on doing the water activities or not.
- Only change in your dry and clean clothes when you are back on the mainland as you might get wet on the boat.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the hike. No flip flops!
- Water shoes can come in handy but they are not necessary.
- Don’t forget your camera to capture all the beautiful views! If you have a GoPro, it will come in handy.
- If you get motion sickness easily, make sure to take some medication before getting on the boat.
Tortuga Island Costa Rica Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the tour to Tortuga Island in Costa Rica.
Is there a restroom on the boat?
No, there isn’t so make sure you go to the toilet before boarding the boat.
Can I pay by card on the island?
Yes, most places accept cards (even for one drink) but it’s always good to have some cash just in case.
Is there a vegetarian option for lunch?
Yes, there was a vegetarian option available for lunch. You can also let the guide know beforehand so they can make sure to have something for you.
Do I need to bring my own snorkelling equipment?
No, the tour provides snorkelling equipment for free. However, if you prefer to use your own equipment, you obviously can.
I hope this article has helped you and that you have a better idea of what to expect while visiting Tortuga Island.
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