Tortuga Island, a true paradise on earth

It is a true tropical paradise that is worth exploring. With white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life, Tortuga Island is a destination of lush beauty that you must visit on your next vacation to Costa Rica.

Located off the southeast coast of the Nicoya Peninsula (in the north of the country), it is made up of two small islands close to each other, called Alcatraz and Tolinga. 

Despite its small size -measuring 1.8 square kilometers in surface area-, it is immense in biodiversity and has an abundant natural wealth bathed by the blue Costa Rican sea. 

Visiting it is an unforgettable day trip, without the right to extend it, since, for conservation reasons, it does not have lodging services.

From nearby cities, different boats or catamarans offer daily tours to the island, for prices ranging from $80 to $125. 

The experience begins from the pier departure and throughout the journey, thanks to the generous vegetation and the wonders of the sea, with its dolphins, sharks, whales, and sea turtles.

Upon arriving at the island -an hour and a half later - its main attraction is evident: a white sand beach, with a blue sea flanked by countless palm trees that provide freshness, greenery, and shade.

 Activities for all tastes and ages

Due to its highly touristic nature, it offers multiple options of fun activities to enjoy with family, friends, or alone. 

From hiking along the coast and through the forest or playing beach volleyball to simply relaxing and take sunbath on the shore.

You can also practice snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding tours, nature walks, and other sports such as jet skiing, banana boating, paddleboarding, or diving. 

Or even take a canopy or zip-line ride to fly over the heart of the forest, observing the lush nature from the heights.

If you want a more peaceful plan, get into a glass-floor boat and appreciate all the marine fauna around Tortuga and Alcatraz islands. 

For hiking enthusiasts, walk to the hills of the nature reserve, from where you will get a completely awesome panoramic view.

The island has two forest trails -one of 30 minutes and another of 45- where you can observe the abundant vegetation and a great variety of native fauna, birds, and insects.

 How to get to the island?

The access to the island is exclusively by boat, so tours began at 7:30 a.m., departing from Puntarenas and returning no later than 4 p.m. If you come from San Jose, to arrive at the pier, you must drive for approximately one hour and 40 minutes on Route 27.

At Toyota Rent a Car, we have several Toyota vehicles that you can rent to arrive safe and sound at the first stop of your final destination. For example, considering that you were driving on an asphalted road, a recommended option is the Yaris sedan or the new SUVs: Raize, Rush, or Corolla Cross.

And to save you time and distance, you can pick up the car at our Alajuela agency, located in front of the Hampton Inn hotel, near the Juan Santamaria International Airport. 

You can visit us personally or reserve your car by contacting us at  sales@toyotarent.com or by phone at 4036-7422 / 7235-8722.

We cannot guarantee that you will arrive at Tortuga Island -that does not depend on us- but we can assure you that the land part of the trip will be safe and comfortable aboard a Toyota from Toyota Rent a Car.

Article written by:

José Ricardo Carballo Villalobos

Works as a journalist, blogger, writer, and freelance copywriter. He is a frequent press columnist, co-director of the digital media La Revista CR, and administrator of the current affairs blog: analistahoy.com. For more information about the author, visit his website or Facebook.