Tortuguero Lodge
Treat yourself to the only birds-eye view of the majestic Caribbean lowlands on this two-hour intermediate-level hike up Cerro Tortuguero. After breakfast at the lodge, join your fellow hikers and the bilingual naturalist guide at the reception area for the boat transfer to the Caribbean village of San Francisco and gateway to Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. Guests should wear good hiking shoes, a sun hat, insect repellent, and protective clothing good for potentially rainy conditions.
Hiking Cerro Tortuguero offers a rare glimpse of the fascinating mixed-wildlife ecosystems unique to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. The Barra del Colorado Refuge spans 81,177 hectares of coastal habitats, including lakes, rivers, herbaceous swamps, flooded forests, and rolling hills no higher than 718 feet (219 meters) above sea level. Your seasoned local guide will point out several species of Costa Rica wildlife as you hike the well-maintained trail through dense rainforest foliage. Howler, Capuchin, and Spider monkeys, poison dart frogs, sloths, and several types of wild cats are among the hundreds of species residing in the park. Upon arrival at the peak, enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree view of the Caribbean lowlands, vast rainforests, and the complex network of rivers stretching eastward to the Atlantic Ocean. Cerro Tortuguero ecotourism generates important work opportunities and economic benefits for the small communities near the park. Their residents work hand in hand with park administration to promote regional conservation objectives and ensure each visitor is welcomed to an authentic and memorable experience.
• Company: operated by Tortuga Lodge
• Min pax: 2
• Minimum age: 7 years old
• Duration: approximately 2 hours
• Schedule: from 08:00am to 03:00pm
• Difficulty: intermediate
• Includes: entrance to the park, bilingual naturalist guide, and transportation.
• What to bring? Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent.