San Jose: Tortuguero Park Day Tour with Breakfast & Lunch?

If you’re planning a trip to San Jose, Costa Rica, and hoping to take in the natural beauty of Tortuguero Park while enjoying a delicious meal, you’re in luck. GetYourGuide offers full-day Tortuguero Park tours that include breakfast and lunch. Keep reading to learn more about this amazing trip and what you can expect to get out of it.

What Is Tortuguero Park?

Tortuguero Park is one of the most stunning national parks in Costa Rica. Located in the heart of the Caribbean, the park receives its namesake from being one of the important sea turtle nesting sites in the region. Every year, thousands of turtles come here to lay eggs on the banks of the park’s small Caribbean islands, making it a popular destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world.

Tortuguero Park isn’t just popular for its turtles, though. It is unique for its vast network of mangroves and canals, making it a water lover’s paradise. It covers roughly 70,000 hectares of wetlands and is teeming with tropical birds, monkeys and other wildlife.

What Does a GetYourGuide Tour Include?

When you book one of GetYourGuide’s Tortuguero Park full-day tours, you can expect your journey to begin with a pickup from or near your hotel in San Jose. From there, you are taken on a scenic drive through the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica, which includes numerous stops for pictures and to learn about the local area. After about three hours of driving and sightseeing, you arrive at the park where the fun begins.

Your guide will take you through the park, showing you the best wildlife and nature hotspots around. You’ll get ample opportunity to take pictures of wildlife including birds and howler monkeys, as well as canoeing on one of the canals if time permits. Lunch is also provided during this part of the tour so you don’t have to worry about missing any food or because of being too far away from civilization.

The tour usually finishes with a boat ride along the canals of the park where you get to enjoy stunning views of its rivers and islands before heading back to San Jose in the late afternoon or evening.

Why Take a Tour?

Visiting Tortuguero Park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should definitely not be missed during any trip to Costa Rica. But it’s not easy getting there or getting around once there. Without a guide, you won’t be able to maximize your time in the park or experience all that it has to offer.

GetYourGuide’s full-day tours are great for learning about the local area, expertly navigated by knowledgeable guides that can help you get closer to nature and wildlife than ever before. You will also get breakfast and lunch included so you don’t have to worry about getting hungry during your adventure.

Is It Worth the Cost?

The cost of a GetYourGuide full-day tour to Tortuguero Park usually ranges between $150 – $220 USD per person. This may seem like quite a lot at first glance but considering what you get out of it, it’s most definitely worth it.

The money you pay covers transportation and a knowledgeable guide, as well as breakfast and lunch. It also covers various other costs like park entry fees and taxes, so you get to enjoy everything without having to worry about additional costs.

Conclusion

Taking a full-day Tortuguero Park tour from GetYourGuide is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a unique experience and having breakfast and lunch along the way is an added bonus for sure. With a knowledgeable guide on hand and transportation provided both ways, these tours can be an amazing way to get close to nature and explore the untouched beauty of Costa Rica’s Caribbean lowlands.

If you’d like to book this full-day tour with breakfast and lunch included from San Jose, click here. Whether you’re looking to take some stunning photos, escape city life or take your time discovering all that Tortuguero Park has to offer, you’re guaranteed a memorable experience with GetYourGuide.

Discovering San Jose: An Insider’s Guide

San Jose is a city bursting with culture, history, and hidden gems. While there are undoubtedly popular tourist spots, there’s so much more to explore in this vibrant and colorful city. As a local, I’ve put together a guide that will take you off the beaten path and offer unique experiences that you won’t find in your typical guidebook.

Local Attractions: Hidden Gems Only Locals Know

While the National Museum of Costa Rica and the Gold Museum are some of the most visited tourist spots, there are many more off-the-beaten-path attractions to explore. The Mercado de Artesania is an indoor market filled with artisanal crafts, from colorful ceramics to handmade jewelry. For a bit of adventure, head to La Cueva del Viento, a hidden waterfall that you can only reach by hiking off-road trails. If you’re interested in history, the Cementerio de Obreros is the final resting place of the city’s hardworking laborers and is an atmospheric and beautiful spot for an afternoon stroll.

Dining Spots: Tasting the Authentic Flavors of San Jose

San Jose’s cuisine is a delicious mix of indigenous and Spanish influences, with a focus on fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients. For a truly authentic experience, head to Soda Tapia, a small family-run restaurant serving up traditional dishes like gallo pinto, a local breakfast favorite. For a more upscale experience, Restaurante Grano de Oro offers a fusion of European and Central American cuisine, with locally sourced ingredients like fish and tropical fruits. To satisfy your sweet tooth, don’t miss out on trying some of the city’s famous helados, or ice creams, at any of the city’s small artisanal shops.

Cultural Experiences: Celebrating the Vibrant Traditions of San Jose

San Jose residents love to celebrate their culture, and the city hosts many festivals, art exhibits, and cultural traditions throughout the year. The annual Festival de la Luz is a stunning display of fireworks, lights, and parades that takes place around Christmas time. For an insight into the city’s artistic community, Coleccion de Arte Costarricense is home to some of the finest contemporary art from Costa Rica. If you want to witness a tradition that is unique to Costa Rica, visit the Central Market on a Saturday to see the ceremony of the cutting of the oxcart wheel, a tradition that dates back to the country’s colonial era.

Local History: Captivating Stories from San Jose’s Past

San Jose’s history is fascinating, and there are many stories and legends that have been passed down through the generations. A great place to start is the Chirripo Museum, which houses artifacts from the city’s indigenous population. Another fascinating spot is the Estacion del Atlantico, a former railway station turned art gallery that was once the point of arrival and departure for European immigrants. Lastly, don’t miss visiting the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica, which was built in the late 19th century and is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Suggestions: Unforgettable and Unique Experiences

For an unforgettable experience, take a walk through the Barrio Escalante neighborhood, known for its trendy bars, restaurants, and street art. To witness some of the city’s flora and fauna, a visit to the Parque La Sabana and its artificial lake is a must. For a bit of relaxation, head to the Ojo de Agua hot springs, which is located in a forest and feels like a hidden oasis within the city.

With this insider’s guide, I hope you will fall in love with San Jose and all of its unique and enchanting offerings. Happy exploring!