Tortuguero is a remote village in northeast Costa Rica, in the country’s third-most visited national park. With a population of about 1500 people, Tortuguero is built on a sandbar, accessible only by boat or plane. The tropical climate means that Tortuguero is hot and humid, with year-round temperatures of about 30°C. However, you can’t have a rainforest without rain and Tortuguero gets a lot of it, with an average of 4,774mm (188 inches) of rainfall per year, with July, November and December as the wettest months. Visitors from March to mid-October catch the turtle nesting season, where 4 different species of turtle lay eggs on the beach, with the hatchlings emerging from the sand months later. 

Some planning is required to visit Tortuguero as a person with disabilities, but accommodations such as hotels with accessible rooms and boats that can be accessed by ramp have been added.

In this tour you will live the true accessible Tortuguero experience! local fauna, boat rides, ziplining, local cuisine and a joelette wheelchair.

Tortuguero & Arenal tour, Costa Rica (7 days/6 nights)

In this tour you will live the true accessible Tortuguero experience!

Welcome to Costa Rica! 

This peaceful country is one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world. 

National parks, a large variety of animals, beaches… friendly and welcoming Costa Ricans and a super easy-going spirit of life, make Costa Rica a fantastic vacation destination.

Highlights of Costa Rica (10 days/ 9 nights)

A fun and accessible 10 days experience in Costa Rica! Full of activities such as surf, boat tours and zip-lining!

Tortuguero

A tropical getaway like no other, the Evergreen Lodge is the ideal place to satisfy your desire to explore. Located near Costa Rica's Tortuguero National Park, this hotel can only be reached by air or water. Its remote location means that in addition to accessibility features like step-free entrances and cement pathways between buildings, this hotel also boasts towering trees, vibrant vegetation, and unique opportunities for fishing, canoeing, private spa treatments. 

Surrounded by lush forests, the hotel's accessible room is the perfect place to recharge. Features such as tile floors, free turn space, a ceiling fan, wifi, and an accessible ensuite with hotel amenities ensure you can rest easy in your remote jungle getaway. 

At this hotel's you get to enjoy a sensational menu as you admire stunning river views. In fact, an onsite breakfast is well complemented by the beauty of Costa Rica's flora and fauna. After exploring the surrounding wildlife, you relax while dining on a lunch and buffet-style dinner inspired by Caribbean cuisine. 

Being near Tortuguero National Park means adventure is always nearby. The park's entrance is only 1.4 km (0.8 miles) from the hotel. From there, you can traverse luscious habitats and interact with untouched wildlife. If you're looking to stay closer to the hotel, the River Laguna Penitencia is less than a 5-minute stroll from the hotel.

Evergreen Lodge

The Accessible Double Room features garden views, tiles floors, and towels folded into a romantic swan design.

Guides / staff members have experience assisting people with disabilities

Transportation is not wheelchair accessible but assistance will be provided for transfers

No accessible bathrooms available for the activity

Few accessibility measures are in place and assistance is needed for the full experience

Explore Costa Rica’s rainforest at dawn and get a taste of the country’s iconic wildlife.

You will start your journey at 5:45 am and meet your guide at the Hotel’s private dock, where you will board a boat and explore the Tortuguero canals. The boat is not wheelchair accessible, but the guides and staff have extensive experience assisting people with disabilities and will provide assistance for transfers. Descriptions of the environment and orientation for the visually impaired can also be provided. There is an accessible bathroom at the beginning of the activity, close to the visitors center. 

During this 90 minutes journey through the Tortuguero canals, you will get a taste of Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity. Tortuguero and its labyrinth of natural waterways give each visitor the opportunity to get the authentic rainforest experience. On this tour, guests will see all kinds of animals: birds, iguanas, monkeys, alligators, and sloths, among others. On this tour, you will explore Costa Rica’s famous jungles without getting off the boat and walking through muddy trails.

Sunrise Animal Watching in Costa Rica

Explore Costa Rica’s thriving wildlife as you journey through the Tortuguero canals at dawn.

The tortuguero Canal is surrounded by lush green forests.

Explore Costa Rica's most remote rainforests and waterways on the Tortuguero Boat Ride! From stunning landscapes to rural riverside villages teeming with wildlife, this adventure is accessible from beginning to end. 

You'll start your journey in the early morning. A van outfitted with a ramp, wheelchair lift, and plenty of free turn space will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a 90-minute ride through Bruno Carrillo National Park. You'll make your first stop at the Evergreen Rest Center, where you'll enjoy a traditional Costa Rican ""Tico"" style breakfast while you admire the surrounding rainforest. While you are there, don't forget to wave at the sloths hanging in the trees!

After getting your fill of eggs, beans, rice, and tropical wildlife, you'll make your way to La Pavona and start your boat ride. This small riverside town hosts an abundance of accessibility features from its step-free pathways, visitors center, and dock with experienced tour guides that are kind, warm, and happy to help navigate any difficult terrain. You'll enter the boat through its ramp and be assisted in transferring to your seat by guides with over 12 years of experience giving tours to people with disabilities.

After a quick stop in La Pavona pier, it's time for the adventure to start. From there, you'll travel for one hour over clam water and get a glimpse of crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, and plenty of different bird species. Finally, you'll arrive at a 100% accessible you'll where you'll be able to dine on a lunch you'll before making your way home.

Tortuguero Boat Ride

From stunning landscapes to forests teeming with wildlife, Tortuguero Boat Ride is accessible from beginning to end.

Accessible bathroom available in only one stop of the activity

On this leisurely, accessible tour, you will get to know the town of Tortuguero, located in the heart of Costa Rica’s Tortuguero National Park. 

The town lies between the ocean and a canal and has no roads, so the easiest way to get there is by boat, which is wheelchair-accessible. Staff will pick you up from your accommodation to take you to the jetty, and assistance will be available for transfers on and off the boat, if necessary. The guides have been trained to work with people with disabilities and can provide orientation descriptions for people with visual impairments. 

After a short boat ride, you will arrive in the charming small town of Tortuguero. Although there are no roads, there are a number of flat pathways which can be navigated with minimal assistance. A stop-off at an accessible public bathroom is also available. 

You will have some free time to get to explore the picturesque town, with its rustic souvenir stalls, cafes, ice cream shops and local bars. You can also head to the beach and admire the sea views. If you are in Tortuguero in July and August, you may well see Green Sea turtles emerging from the water to lay eggs in the sand. 

Once you have explored the town, you will catch the boat back to your hotel.

Tortuguero Town Visit

An accessible tour of the charming town of Tortuguero, with round-trip transportation by boat.

A person in a wheelchair is pushed along a path in Tortuguero, which flowers and trees visible in the background.

Places visited are all wheelchair accessible and can be navigated independently

Adaptive equipment is included and one person assisting is needed

On this educational and accessible tour, you will learn about the flora and fauna found in Costa Rica’s Tortuguero National Park. 

Led by a knowledgeable guide, you will discover the Park, which is home to many species of impressive wildlife and plantlife. The hike covers 1 km (0.6 miles) of private hiking trails set in the grounds of a hotel, and all paths are flat and can easily be navigated in a wheelchair. The hike lasts for approximately 90 minutes, which includes rest stops. The guides have been trained on assisting visitors with different mobility levels and can provide descriptions and visual orientations for visitors with visual impairments. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also book an all-terrain joelette wheelchair and explore some of the National Park’s more difficult trails, with the help of a guide.

Tortuguero Accessible Hike

An accessible guided tour through a National Park to discover the local flora and fauna.

People in wheelchairs rolling on the hiking trail.