Costa Rica is one of the very few countries in the world that has been blessed with some amazing natural gifts. The diverse landscapes-the northern plains, forests, and tropical beaches- allows tourists to rejuvenate themselves.
The unique landscape provides an opportunity for different adventure sports, activities, and cuisine. One such famous Costa Rican spot for a fun trip is Tortuga Island.
Tortuga Island, also sometimes referred to as Isla Tortuga, is one of the most famous day trip destinations in Costa Rica. The name Tortuga literally translating to Turtle (English) is located off the southeastern shore of the Nicoya Peninsula.
The island is on the bucket list of many tourists around the year for the different activities this place provides. If you want to trek through the forested hills or snorkel deep into the sea, the island offers the best of terrains.
There are plenty of other activities like zip-lining, water bikes, and other stuff to keep everyone entertained. All of this comes the amazing view of the lush green Tortuga Island.
Going to Tortuga Island is worth it, but the question is how? Well, there are plenty of options when it comes to getting to Tortuga depending on your personal proclivity and budget.
Boat tour operators can be found in great numbers throughout Jaco and Puntarenas. On average they provide their services as 90-minute cruises to and from the Tortuga Island.
For people residing in San Jose, a quick 90 minutes trip can take them to Puntarenas. From here you can get to Paquera, a Peninsula Village. Then the next decision you got to make is to decide between a boat or a charter plane, an expensive but the quickest option, to get you to the beautiful Tortuga Island.
Things To do on Tortuga Island:
- Snorkeling:
The majority of people come to Tortuga island to discover the life underwater. A snorkeling experience in the beautiful seawater will make you fall in love with the marine life. The diverse marine life-sting rays, fishes, octopuses, and even sharks are a sight to behold. This activity should be on our bucket list once you arrive on the island.
- Scuba Diving:
One unique aspect of the water around the island is that it has three different shipwrecks. Getting one shipwreck around an island is cool, but able to witness three sunken ships and be able to explore around them is wonderful. You can spend some quality time exploring the sunken vessels and exploring. The waters around the island are also famous for being amazing dive sites. This means that every new view will mesmerize you more than the previous one.
- Exploring the Island:
Tortuga island offers beautiful beaches with a combination of dense forests. So, if you are on the island, you can use this opportunity to connect with nature free from the hustle-bustle of the city like San Jose. Lay on the beach sipping your favorite drink or take a hike up the beautiful hills to see some of the exquisite views and wildlife. Reconnect with nature here and rejuvenate yourself.
- Renting a Sea Kayak:
This is another activity for people looking to do something more than the usual. Sea Kayaks can be easily rented from Tortuga beach and provides an opportunity to explore the waters.
- Food options:
Well, one of the most important things that one looks forward to is the food offered on the island. Along the island, you will easily find numerous restaurants serving BBQs. Make sure to try all the different food options be it seafood or vegetarian delicacies before you head back to the mainland. You can also get your hands on some of the popular Costa Rican dishes like Gallo Pinto and even the all famous Costa Rican Coffee.
- Shopping on the island:
Who does not love some souvenirs from a trip to adorn their room? On the island, you can find different shops selling a variety of beautiful souvenirs to take back home. There are different pieces on offer from handcrafted curios to delicious sweet snacks. The souvenirs can be a sweet reminder of your adventures on the island.
- Hiking the hills:
If you fancy exploring the island by foot and diving deep into the lush green hills, hiking is the option for you. This activity can provide you with a workout and a nature walk. It is a wonderful option to get in touch with the fauna and flora of the island especially the cute peccary (small pigs) which makes everything even more beautiful. Be ready for such encounters with cute little creatures
- Zipline:
For adventure-hungry people, this is an opportunity to do something different. The island offers an opportunity for ziplining for people needing an adrenaline rush. This adrenaline rush is accompanied by a beautiful view of the aerial view of the island. This is a must-try for people willing to make their trip even more memorable.
Best time to visit Tortuga Island:
Like all tropical tourists’ spots, there is no wrong time to visit the beautiful island. Throughout the year it is open and offers its beauty to tourists. However, the ideal time, when the waters offer the maximum visibility, would be between December and April.
This is because during the rainy season, from May to November, the island gets a lot of rain. This decreases water visibility and such circumstances are not ideal for activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving. This only factor should be kept in mind when planning your trip to Tortuga Island.
General tips for traveling:
Following are some of the tips or bits of advice which anyone planning to go to the island might find useful.
- If you are going to the island to try scuba diving, make sure that you have the right equipment ready for it. This includes a 2 or 3mm wet suit and other important gear. However, if you do not want to go through the hassle of carrying your own equipment you do have the option of renting the equipment from the island.
- As previously mentioned, the waters surrounding the Tortuga Island are home to some of the most mesmerizing marine life like fishes, rays, octopuses. If you want some amazing underwater pictures, you need to keep your photography gear ready for this opportunity.
- For people who don’t have a big budget, planning your trip during the rainy season-spanning from April to November- can save you some money. This is the perfect time to avail some of discounted opportunities. You will face thinner crowds and better rates during this time of the year.
After spending the whole day on the beach trekking, basking, and enjoying you would fall in love with the place. The welcoming Costa Rican cuisine, the isolated island, and the beautiful waters are exactly what one needs to recharge.
The tropical paradise is such an amazing spot to enjoy nature and you would not want to leave this place at the end of the day, and it would end up as one of your sweet memories. Before jumping on the boat on your trip back make sure to enjoy the beautiful sunset and capture some amazing pictures.