Unlike many national parks in Costa Rica, Tortuguero National Park is unique in that it almost exclusively revolves around the water. The best way to explore this 120-mile (312 sq km) protected area is by hopping in a canoe and navigating the network of arterial waterways that snake around the park. On a trip like this, you’ll spot various denizens of the reserve, such as manatees, spectacled caimans, river otters, and rare birds, including macaws, toucans, and kingfishers.

Then, explore Tortuguero’s 22-mile (35 km) expanse of beach, a favorite nesting (and, therefore, hatching) area for various species of turtles: hawksbill, leatherback, and green sea turtle, in particular. These species nest in Tortuguero (mostly at night) from either March or July through October. Watching the mother turtles lay their eggs is quite an experience, as is watching the babies hatch and wiggle their way to the surf. Of course, the hatching season depends on the species, but you can view baby turtles throughout the year.

Here are some recommended times of the year to visit for different types of turtles.

Species	Nesting Season	Hatching Season
Green Sea Turtles	July – October	September – November
Loggerhead	July – October	September – November
Hawksbill	March – October	Year-round
Leatherback	March – May	May – July

For more information about Tortuguero National Park and to discover unique experiences in Tortuguero, be sure to check out our ultimate guide to Tortuguero.