🌙 Moonlight Turtle Nesting Tour in Tortuguero
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A Night of Wonder in Costa Rica’s Turtle Paradise
If you’re traveling to Costa Rica between July and October, there’s one experience you simply can’t miss: the Moonlight Turtle Nesting Tour in Tortuguero National Park. Known as the “Amazon of Costa Rica”, Tortuguero is a remote jungle village only accessible by boat or plane—and every night during nesting season, its beaches host one of nature’s most awe-inspiring rituals.
🐢 The Magic of the Green Sea Turtle
The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is one of the largest marine turtles in the world. Adult females, weighing up to 180 kg (400 lbs), travel thousands of kilometers to return to the very beach where they were born. Tortuguero is one of the most important nesting grounds on Earth for this endangered species.
Fascinating Facts:
Green turtles can hold their breath for up to 5 hours.
They navigate using Earth’s magnetic field to return home.
A female may lay 100+ eggs per nest and nest up to 7 times per season.
Hatchlings are just 5 cm long and must race to the sea minutes after emerging.
🌙 What to Expect on the Moonlight Turtle Nesting Tour
This is not a typical wildlife tour—it’s a quiet, guided journey into one of nature’s most intimate events.
Highlights include:
Guided night walk on protected nesting beaches
Led by SINAC-certified naturalist guides
Pre-tour briefing on turtle biology & conservation
Small group sizes for an ethical, personal experience
Entry to Tortuguero National Park included
You’ll first attend a briefing, then wait with your guide for the unforgettable moment when a female turtle hauls herself ashore to dig her nest and lay eggs under the moonlight.
📋 Park Rules: Protecting the Turtles
Tortuguero National Park enforces strict rules to protect turtles:
🚫 No cameras, phones, or flashlights allowed
🚫 No touching turtles, ever
👕 Dark clothing required
🤫 Walk quietly and follow your guide
By respecting these rules, visitors help ensure the survival of sea turtles for generations to come.
🧭 Why Choose Tortuguero?
Tortuguero is called “the land of turtles” for good reason. Four species nest here: green, hawksbill, leatherback, and loggerhead turtles. But it’s not just about the beach—this region is home to:
Wildlife-rich rainforest canals (explorable by boat or kayak)
Howler monkeys, toucans, sloths, and caimans
The Turtle Conservancy Center for deeper learning
🎒 What to Bring
Dark clothing & closed-toe shoes
Eco-friendly insect repellent
Light rain jacket (it’s a rainforest!)
A respectful mindset (no noise, no lights)
💚 A Tour with Purpose
When you book a Moonlight Turtle Nesting Tour in Tortuguero, you’re supporting local conservation. A portion of your ticket funds:
Beach protection
Training and income for local guides
Sea turtle monitoring & research
This isn’t just a tour—it’s a way to give back.
🎟️ Ready to Witness the Miracle?
Spots are limited due to park rules, and tours sell out quickly during turtle nesting season (July–October).
👉 [Book Your Moonlight Turtle Nesting Tour Now]
💡 Travel Tip: Stay at least 2 nights in Tortuguero to increase your chances of joining a tour and to explore the region’s canals, rainforest, and wildlife.
