When it comes to breathtaking beaches, stunning landscapes and fun water activities, Costa Rica has it all. There are several places in the country where you can experience all of that and one of them is Tortuga Island, Costa Rica.
Tortuga Island, or Isla Tortuga, one of several islands in the Nicoya Peninsula boasts white sand beaches, clear turquoise water and incredible views. A Tortuga Island day cruise is one of the best day trips from San Jose or Jaco to experience a gorgeous beach with the Bandera Azul Ecologica award, given only to the cleanest beaches in the country.
We have gone on the Isla Tortuga one day tour with Bay Island Cruises from Puntarenas a few times and had a wonderful trip. Read on to see what it’s like and get our special $10 Tortuga Island day cruise discount!
Bay Island Cruises
Bay Island Cruises is a Costa Rican company based out of Puntarenas where they take guests on a 1.5 hour cruise through the Gulf of Nicoya to Isla Tortuga. Guests then spend about 5 hours on the island and they provide various activities to enjoy.
They pick up from San Jose, Puntarenas and Jaco for free and include breakfast, lunch, snacks and fruit juice in the tour. They have two boats, a yacht and catamaran which they take out depending on the number of guests. On the beach, they have a designated area with lounge chairs, umbrellas and bathrooms and they stay on the island for a full 5 hours so guests can swim, snorkel, kayak and relax.
Tortugua Island Catamaran Cruise
As we were staying the night before in Puntarenas, we met the crew at their dock in town.
We got on the catamaran around 8 AM and set off into the Gulf of Nicoya with Bay Island Cruises. Their boat has two floors with an air conditioned main cabin and open upstairs deck. The upstairs deck has a Jacuzzi, seats, tables and is where the live music is.
It was a gorgeous day, super sunny with barely any clouds in sight. We went beginning of February which is during Costa Rica’s summer, so all the islands were yellow and brown from the dry heat. But it was still a beautiful sight!
We picked a nice spot at the front of the lower deck so we could lay down with the sun on our faces and wind blowing through our hair. Along the way, our captain shared information about the surrounding islands, Gulf of Nicoya and Isla Tortuga, he pointed out Isla San Lucas (the prison), Curu Wildlife Refuge (right behind Isla Tortuga) and Venado Island.
Live Music
One of the things Bay Island Cruises has that other companies don’t is live music. After we all get settled in the catamaran, the live band set up their spot on the top deck and started playing salsa, meringue and popular pop songs. It was a lot of fun to listen to and watch our MC dance and sing!
After about 1 hour, our captain announced that we were nearing Tortuga Island. As I looked out onto the horizon, I saw a brilliant white sand beach glittering right in front of me.
I could see why companies chose Tortuga Island as the final destination for the cruise, the beach is absolutely breathtaking! No other island we saw in the Gulf of Nicoya had such white sand or clear water!
At the Island
When we got close, the crew pulled down a ramp so that we could walk down right onto the shore. The band stood in front of us, happily playing their instruments, welcoming us to Isla Tortuga.
The crew showed us to our place on the island and gave us a brief introduction of what’s what and where’s where. After that, the day was ours. We had a full five hours to do whatever we wanted on the beach: swim, snorkel, relax, kayak, hike or take a nap!
Tortuga Island Activities
Tortuga Island actually belongs to a local family who rents out spots on the beach to tour companies and visitors can rent kayaks, jet skis, pedal boats, snorkel gear, stand up paddle boards and other activities from them.
With Bay Island Cruises, you can purchase the package that includes a snorkel tour and the banana boat or you will have to pay separately for each activity. Snorkel is $19 per person, banana boat is $7 per person and jet ski for half an hour is $120.
Tortuga Island Snorkeling
For the snorkeling tour, they took us to a little dock next to a large rock where we snorkeled and swam with colorful tropical fish for about 1 hour. They do feed the fish which I wasn’t too keen on as it turns the fish into beggars. Other people went on the banana boat, rented kayaks and went on the short hike. The owners created a sanctuary on the island so you can walk their trails to see peccaries, deer, birds and other animals.
We had lunch after the snorkel tour and they served us fish, chicken, salad, rice and dessert. If you are vegetarian/vegan, make sure to let the company know beforehand or else you will be stuck with eating rice and lettuce all day. The lunch was good but nothing amazing.
For the rest of the day, we relaxed and took a nap at the beach. We also brought our drone so you can see photos of Isla Tortuga from above!
Before we knew it, our five hours were up and it was time to head back to Puntarenas. Although I was sad to leave such a beautiful beach, I was ready to go back and the timing was perfect. We sailed back right during the sunset.
Video
You can watch a video of the Tortuga Island Costa Rica one day tour in the video below!
What to Bring
- Bring a day pack with your swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, lots of sunscreen and a hat.
- You can bring your swimsuit and change on the boat or on the island.
- If you want to do the hike, it is an easy trail that takes around 30 minutes. No hiking shoes required.
- If you want to do other activities like rent a jet ski, it is best to bring cash. Prices are quoted in USD and they take USD.
Mytanfeet Tortuga Island Discount
If you want to do this one day Tortuga Island cruise, we have an exclusive discount with Bay Island Cruises to give $10 USD off to all our readers!
Read about other things to do in Costa Rica below!
BeaaJay says
Hello,
there is a group of us that will be in costa rica in August. We will be staying in Uvita. Do you recommend for us to get dropped off in jaco or puntarenas?
Sammi says
Jaco is closer to Uvita than Puntarenas, so that’s the better spot
Tracy Ellen Riddell says
Is there any accommodation nearby to spend the night that you recommend?
Sammi says
You can’t stay on that island but there is another island a bit north in the Gulf of Nicoya called Chira, that has a glamping hotel and we’ve heard that was nice.
Christine says
Hi! Your posts have become a travel bible for me! Thank you sooo much for what you do! We are heading to CR for the first time this August for 8 days. Two families with older teens. We rented a house in Dominical – excited for the low key island town experience but also looking for adventure. Would this excursion be possible from that location? Is the tour company still picking up at Manuel Antonio? It seems like that’s not too far from Dominical…
I am a little disappointed that the more adventurous region like Arsenal (zip lines and rope bridges) seems so far from where we are staying, but that’s just reason to come back again and stay further north next time!
Sammi says
Hi Christine, the tour company doesn’t pick up in Dominical but they do from Manuel Antonio with a minimum of 6 people. If you have a car, you can drive to the Puntarenas dock too, it’s about 3 hours one way.
There are fun adventures in Dominical, Costa Rica, Hacienda Baru has a small zipline and there are waterfalls and surfing. We have a post for more ideas just in case: Things to do in Uvita and Dominical
Kate says
Hi! I was just wondering are we able to being our own drinks?
Sammi says
You can bring a couple if you fit them in your backpack but you can’t bring a cooler or anything like that onto the boat.
Tina says
Hi! Is this a good beach to visit in August?
Sammi says
Yes!
GESINA says
Hello,
I am staying in Playa Naranjo beach on the 14th and 15. Is it possible to participate in a cruise from that point and on what day?
Sammi says
Hi Gesina, you can but I’d reach out to a tour company like Zuma Tours since they operate Tortuga Island from that side of the Nicoya Peninsula (Paquera). The company we work with only provides the tour leaving from Puntarenas dock.
Ralph says
Would getting to Tortunga Island be accessible for someone in a wheelchair ? I realize not so much on the sand but that can be done.
Sammi says
Hi Ralph, I checked with the tour company and they said it’s not wheelchair accessible 🙁
Anna Nguyen says
Hi! Sorry 2nd question – what kind of alcohol do they serve with their package? Should we be worried about theft because we are planning on bringing a drone and snorkeling?
Sammi says
National beer (Imperial and Pilsen) and for liquor, J&B, Johnny Walker Red, Centenario, Cacique, Flor de Caña and Bacardi
Anna Nguyen says
Hi! We are interested in doing this on 12/26. We have a rental car and will be coming from Mirador. Is it possible to just meet them at where the boat dock is or do we need to drive to San Jose or Jaco?
Vivek says
Hi Sammi, is it possible to also do Curu Wildlife reserve on the same day trip? I understand it is a 10min boat ride from Tortuga Island?
Sammi says
Hi Vivek, unfortunately not on a day tour like this excursion. They have a set schedule to only Tortuga Island.
Emma Soglin says
Hi all!
My friend and I will be staying in Santa Teresa and wanted to go to Isla Tortuga. Is there an easy way to get a tour from the Penisula?
Thanks!
Emma
Sammi says
You can check with Zuma Tours, I believe they offer pick ups in Santa Teresa for the Tortuga island 1 day.
Kelsey says
Hi Sammi,
My boyfriend and I will be staying in Jaco and I have just a few questions before booking. Is it possible to be picked up from Jaco and have a package that will include drinks and snorkeling (if so, how much $)? Also, I was wondering how much the jet ski rentals are? Lastly, will we be dropped off at the same location as pick up?
You’re blog has been extremely helpful when booking our trip, thank you so much!!
Sammi says
Hi Kelsey! There isn’t a package with drinks and snorkeling but from Jaco, snorkeling is included in your package and then you can purchase drinks at the bar on the boat or on the island as you like. They do have an option to purchase a separate drinks package that is $25 for 5 drinks (local and international beer, drinks and cocktails with Johnny Walker red, J&B, Centenario rum, Flor de Can rum and Bacardi).
Jet ski rentals are not operated by Bay Island Cruises, you can book them at the tour desk on the island and they are $120 for one hour, $70 for half an hour and $35 for 15 minutes.
From Jaco, you’ll get picked up and dropped off at your hotel. They also offer interconnections to San Jose and Puntarenas which you can select in the form. If you’re changing hotels for some reason in Jaco, you can request to get dropped off at a different hotel too.
Let me know if you have other questions!
Tammy says
I wish I would have read this post before we booked our tour with the Double Tree Inn at San Jose. We thought we were going on a snorkeling tour with Calypso Cruises and were surprised to find people drinking so early in the morning on the way to the island. When we got to the beach they didn’t tell us about any of the amenities like renting equipment or taking hikes. When we went out to snorkel they didn’t provide us with fins and the ocean current was so strong that the crew spent the whole time retrieving people that would drift out of the designated area. The current was so strong that it kicked up silt and you couldn’t see anything but had to keep swimming just to stay still and without swim fins it was exhausting and an exercise in futility. They also charge us for chairs I am pretty sure it was $12.00 a chair after we had spent $300.00 for the trip…I was also concerned about all of the activity on the island as the beach was littered with coral that I figured was being broken off by the boats, banana boats jet skis etc…it seems that there needs to be some sort of regulation to protect the reef. I have really enjoyed all of your posts. Thank you and keep them coming.
Sammi says
Hi Tammy! I’m sorry to hear about your experience, that doesn’t sound very fun 🙁 Thank you for your feedback though, we’re always looking to hear our readers feedback on their experiences.
I hope you had a great rest of your time in Costa Rica otherwise and thank you for reading our blog.
Sue says
Hi! Thanks for the informative post! We are
Planning a trip april30-may9 next year and wondering if this is a good time to go? Water temperature okay for swimming?
Sammi says
Yes! Always warm 🙂
Yuniel Sardinas says
Hello,
Would be possible to pick up 2 people in San Isidro and after the tour drop us off on San Jose?
Thank you
Sammi says
Hi Yuniel, the tour company only picks up in San Jose. You will need to find your own transportation to San Jose for the tour or go to Jaco as they pick up at Jaco and drop off in San Jose for free.
Sammi says
Hi Elizabeth! There is a cost for kids 3-11. The tour company can pick up at some hotels in Heredia like Hotel Bougainvillea so you can taxi/uber there and get picked up and dropped off from there.
Here are the prices from San Jose (they have 3 different packages).
Option 1: Adults $135.00, Kids $105.00. Includes beach chair and umbrella
Option 2: Adults $150. Includes beach chair and umbrella and 5 drinks (cocktails and national beer)
Option 3 3: Adults $155, kids $125. Includes beach chair, umbrella, banana boat and snorkel.
Then we have a $10 discount off those prices above. Let me know if you have other questions! Here is our booking form to get the discount
Elizabeth says
Hi! My husband and I and our two sons (age 3 and 5) live in Heredia. My parents will be visiting in February, and we would like to do this tour then. Is there a cost for our sons? Also, how much is the snorkeling? Could the tour bus pick us up in a Heredia location? (We actually live in Belén).
Sammi says
Hi Kathy, that would be a possibility except the pick up time in Jaco is 6-630 AM so if you can arrange with your car rental company to return the car by that time, then you can go to a hotel near your car rental office and get picked up from there to do the tour with Bay Island Cruises. But you can actually also get picked up in Manuel Antonio for the tour and get dropped off in La Fortuna since you have more than 4 passengers which is the minimum amount they need for the interconnection. We have a partnership with Bay Island Cruises to give $10 off (you can get the discount and book the tour here) and they can do this interconnection with your group.
Kathy Le says
I’m thinking of doing this on our way from Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna. If we drive ourselves to Jaco and then return the rental car there, can we join the tour there and have them take us to la Fortuna or Arenal? There would be 6 of us (4 adults and 2 kids). Thank you!
Rachael says
Hi There,
We are travelling and want to do the day trip from San Jose but get dropped off in La Fortuna, but there is only 2 of us. Is this an option for us?
Thank you.
Sammi says
Hi Rachel! I will have to check if there are other passengers going and if not, how much the extra drop off charge would be. I’ll send you an email in a minute.
Graham McLeod says
Thanks for your post! 🙂 small question – in your estimation, would it be possible/desirable to do this cruise with luggage?
Sammi says
Hi guys! If you’re doing the interconnection like getting picked up in San Jose and dropped off in Manuel Antonio, the tour company will take care of your luggage for you 🙂
Graham McLeod says
Great, thanks so much Sammi!
Laura Winberg says
Hey Sammi:
I want to do this on this coming holiday Wednesday, July 25 2018. Is it a good idea to do this cruise during the rainy season or no?
Sammi says
Hi Laura, the tour company does this tour rain or shine and will only call it off if conditions aren’t safe to go out. Luckily the Gulf of Nicoya has great weather and generally is drier than the rest of the country during rainy season. Right now is our “little summer” and will hopefully last until the last week of July so weather should be fine, maybe you might get some rain in the late afternoon or evening. Usually the mornings are clear and sunny and it’ll get cloudy in the afternoon/rain at night.
Liz Molinares says
We are looking into doing the tour. Checking to see if there is a price for children. And for the price with the drinks is that for alcohol drinks? And how far in advance do we need to book the trip?
Sammi says
Hi Liz! The price will depend on where your pick up location is, I sent you an email with more information.
Liz says
Could you please resend me the information I never received it. Emmolinares@aol.com
And we will be going from San Jose
Thank you
Liz
Sammi says
Hi Liz! I just re-sent it. If you don’t see it, can you check your spam folder? Thanks!
Kimberly McNamara says
What time is the pick up in San Jose amd what time is drop off. I am flying in late Thursday amd we were thinking about doing the tour Friday or Sunday. We have a wedding Saturday and leave Tuesday.
Sammi says
Hi Kimberly! Pick up is around 7 AM and drop off is around 7 PM depending on traffic in San Jose. You can definitely do it Friday or Sunday. Maybe Friday just in case you guys are out late Saturday night for the wedding.
Sammi says
Hi Melaine! They can pick up at any hotel in San Jose and they will drop you off at your hotel too. The drive from San Jose to Puntarenas where the ferry leaves is about a 2 hour drive.
Unfortunately there isn’t an overnight 2 day option, they just do one day tours. If you have a free day in San Jose, this would be a wonderful tour to do to see the Gulf of Nicoya and a beautiful beach. The snorkeling is also super nice!
Ahh definitely let us know about your trip to Osa! That’s awesome, I’m really really hoping to go down there to do the hike.
Melanie says
Hi! where do they pick up if we want to do this from San Jose? how long is the drive from San Jose to the ferry over to the island?
Is there an over-night/2 day option to go there?
We are spending the first part of our trip down on Osa Pen (hoping to have you 2 join us for a hike into Corcovado! 😉 at the end of Nov. but thought we should maybe see another area of Costa Rica since we keep going back to only Osa.
Let me know about this Tortuga Island day trip. Perhaps we plan to come back a day early for our departure and do this!
I like that there’s a chance I can snorkel here and the beach looks beautiful.
Thank you! Hope to meet you both on our next trip! Your website has been so helpful to us!
Mel in Michigan
Sara Thompson says
Hello Sammi,
My mom, Aunts, and myself are venturing to Costa Rica in April. Where is pick up from Playa Hermosa? We are staying at Villas Sol Resort. The Tortuga tour looks amazing! What packages are available for Guanacaste, Playa Hermosa? How much is the package? Your blog is wonderful! Thank you so much for your information.
Sara Thompson
Sammi says
Hi Sara! From Hermosa, Guanacaste it is $175 per person and requires 4 people minimum. I sent you a message about it with more details 🙂
leslie lopez says
To get on the boat cruise to Tortuga Island from San Jose or Jaco is it mandatory to chose a package or is there a fare that just covers the boat ride?
Sammi says
From San Jose, you will have to choose a package since it is a tour but the packages just add on alcoholic drinks and a couple activities. The basic package just includes the tour and the beach bunk (umbrella + chairs) along with the other things that are already included (transportation, lunch, snacks, juices, breakfast). The basic one from San Jose is $135. From Jaco, it is one price at $135 which includes the snorkel, hiking trails, banana boat and beach bunk.