Duration: Full Day · Price: From $200 USD per group of 1–4 · Difficulty: Easy
About this tour
Isla Tortuga is the postcard Costa Rica keeps in its back pocket: a pair of uninhabited islands in the Gulf of Nicoya ringed by white coral sand and water that shifts from turquoise to glass-clear blue. There are no roads, no hotels and no crowds beyond the day's boats — just palm trees, warm shallows, and the kind of beach day that ends up as everyone's phone wallpaper. Getting there is half the fun: a catamaran cruise out of Puntarenas across the gulf, with islands sliding past, sea birds working the bow, and — if the season is right — dolphins riding alongside.
This day trip handles the part most travelers find hardest: getting to the boat. Your private driver picks you up at your San José hotel early in the morning for the 1.5-hour run down to the port of Puntarenas, gets you checked in for the catamaran with time to spare, and is waiting at the dock when you sail back in the afternoon. No bus schedules, no taxi negotiations, no missed departures — the cruise leaves on time and you are on it.
On the island, the day is yours. Swim straight off the sand into calm, protected water — Isla Tortuga is one of the safest swimming beaches in Costa Rica, which makes it a favorite for families. Snorkel the rocky points where parrotfish, angelfish and the occasional ray patrol the reef. Try a banana boat ride or a kayak, hike the short island trail for the viewpoint over the gulf, or do absolutely nothing in the shade of a coconut palm. Most catamaran operators serve a fresh lunch right on the beach.
By late afternoon you sail back across the gulf, usually into the beginning of a Pacific sunset, and your driver has you back in San José by evening. It is the easiest tropical-island day in the country — and the only one you can do from the capital without a flight.
What's included
- Private round-trip transportation San José – Puntarenas (approx. 1.5 hours each way)
- Bilingual driver for the day
- Catamaran cruise reservation handling — we book your spots in advance
- Bottled water for the road
Not included
- Catamaran cruise tickets (per person, typically including beach lunch — confirmed and paid at booking)
- Snorkeling gear and water-sport rentals on the island
- Alcoholic beverages on board
- Gratuities
- Personal travel insurance
Good to know
- Early pickup (around 5:45 am) — catamarans sail from Puntarenas in the morning
- The crossing to Isla Tortuga takes 1.5–2 scenic hours each way
- Calm, protected swimming — great for families with kids
- Bring swimsuit, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, hat and cash for island rentals
- Dolphin sightings are common December–April; sightings are wildlife encounters and cannot be guaranteed
- Motion-sensitive travelers should take seasickness medication before boarding
- Free cancellation 48 hours prior