Best Time to See Sea Turtles Nesting in Tortuguero

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The best time to see sea turtles nesting in Tortuguero is during green turtle season, which runs from July through October. Activity is typically strongest between July and September, though sources differ on the exact peak. Every night visit is a guided one, so it helps to know how the tours work before you book.

When is green turtle nesting season in Tortuguero?

Tortuguero National Park is the most important green sea turtle nesting site in the Western Hemisphere, and the green turtle is the species the village’s night tours are built around. The main season runs between July and October. One local park-focused site gives the dates as July 1 to October 15, while some tour operators list their turtle tours through the end of October. Treat the edges of the season as softer than the middle.

Which month is best?

Honest answer: it depends who you ask. A few examples:

  • One guide company names July and August as the months with the highest nesting activity.
  • Another travel company calls August the peak.
  • A third points to September and October.

The safe takeaway is that any night from mid-July to early October gives you a good chance. Visiting between mid-July and mid-October gives you a good chance of seeing a nesting turtle. No tour can promise a turtle, though. You’re watching wild animals on their schedule.

What about hatchlings?

Nests take time to hatch. Eggs hatch in around 60 days, so baby turtles show up later in the season. Some visitors are lucky enough to see hatchings from late August through October, but it’s rare. If hatchlings matter to you, ask your lodge what the rangers have been seeing that week, and don’t plan your whole trip around it.

Other turtles in Tortuguero

Four species nest here, but the green turtle is the one you’ll most likely see on a tour.

  • Green turtles: July to October.
  • Leatherbacks: March through May in Tortuguero.
  • Hawksbills and loggerheads: They nest in much smaller numbers, so there are no organized tours for them.

If you’d rather visit when it’s quieter, the leatherback months of March to May are an option. Just know that the green turtle night tours are a July to October experience.

How the turtle tours work

Tortuguero’s turtle watching is strictly regulated, and that’s a good thing. Here’s how a typical night goes.

You must go with a certified guide

To see turtles on the beach, you have to book a guided night tour with a certified local guide. Going alone after 6:00 PM is illegal. Your lodge or a local guide can arrange this for you.

Evening shifts and waiting time

Tours run in organized, staggered shifts, typically starting at 8:00 PM or 10:00 PM. Some lodges report that visitors are assigned a time slot at random, so you may not get to choose. Check what your lodge says when you book.

Expect to wait. Groups wait at designated stations just off the beach while trackers scan the shoreline. When a turtle has settled into her nesting trance, the tracker signals the guides, and only then are visitors led onto the sand. This protects the turtle, since a disturbed female may head back to the sea without laying.

Lights, cameras and clothing

The rules are simple, and every guide will go over them before you set out.

  • Wear dark clothing. White T-shirts are not permitted.
  • No flashlights, phones or cameras. Guides and trackers carry red-light flashlights, which turtles aren’t sensitive to.
  • Skip the perfume and scented repellent. Turtles have a well-developed sense of smell, so use an unscented cream if you need repellent.
  • Stay quiet and stay behind the turtle. You observe from behind so she doesn’t feel threatened.
  • Wear closed shoes. Sometimes you have to walk quite a bit, so wear sneakers or walking shoes rather than sandals.

Because photos aren’t allowed, plan to simply watch. Most people find that’s the best part.

Permits and park tickets

Park entry and turtle tours aren’t always handled the same way. Park entry tickets must be booked and paid for through the official SINAC online portal at least one day in advance. Some tour operators say the night turtle tour uses a separate beach permit or turtle tracking ticket rather than the regular park ticket, so ask your lodge exactly what’s covered. You can start at the SINAC online reservation system for park entry.

Planning your trip

  • Book early for August and September. Turtle tours and eco-lodges need advance booking during peak season.
  • Stay at least 2 nights. With only one night, a rained-out tour or a delayed turtle tour could cost you your only chance.
  • Getting there: There’s no road access. You arrive by boat or on a short domestic flight from San José.
  • Pack for rain. It’s a rainforest, and showers are possible any month.

During the day, add a canal trip. Our guide to Tortuguero covers the village and the area around it. If you like waterway wildlife, mangrove tours in Costa Rica are another good way to explore.

Visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy

The Sea Turtle Conservancy has worked in Tortuguero for decades. Its small museum and visitor center is free and gives real context for what you’ll see on the beach that night. You can learn more about its programs on the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tortuguero page.

More turtle and park ideas

Tortuguero isn’t the only place to see turtles in Costa Rica. Read about sea turtle protection projects around the country. Our overview of the national parks of Costa Rica can help you build a longer itinerary. If you’re heading down the Caribbean coast afterward, have a look at Cahuita.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see green turtles in Tortuguero?

Nesting runs from July to October. Many sources point to July through September as the busiest stretch, though some name August or even September and October as the peak. Mid-July to early October is a reliable window.

Can I visit the nesting beach on my own at night?

No. Unaccompanied access is illegal after 6:00 PM, so you need a certified local guide.

Can I take photos on the turtle tour?

No. Cameras, smartphones and white flashlights aren’t permitted on the beach. Guides use red lights only.

Will I definitely see a turtle?

Not guaranteed. Your chances are good in season, but you may wait a while. Waiting is part of a responsible wildlife experience, not a failure of the tour.

Can I see turtles in Tortuguero outside July to October?

Leatherbacks nest from March to May, and a few hawksbills and loggerheads appear at other times. Organized night tours focus on green turtle season, so confirm with your lodge before you book.

Last checked: 2026-Oct-18.