
Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 710 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch worth booking?
Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch is a 12-hour experience in Alajuela, Costa Rica, from $115 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 710 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (710)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $115 per person
Enjoy a special day surrounded by nature, seeing dolphins, islands, birds and many more species during the journey until you reach Isla Tortuga, our destination where we will give you approximately 5 hours of beach time to relax under the shade of the beautiful palm trees and enjoy its refreshing sea.
What you get
About this experience
Enjoy a special day surrounded by nature, seeing dolphins, islands, birds and many more species during the journey until you reach Isla Tortuga, our destination where we will give you approximately 5 hours of beach time to relax under the shade of the beautiful palm trees and enjoy its refreshing sea.
What's included
Included
- Dolphin watching (natural event, not controlled)
- Tea and coffee
- All Fees and Taxes
- Fresh seasonal fruits
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Snorkel Tour (if conditions allow)
- Lunch
- Guide
Not included
- Tips
- Breakfast
What you'll see and do
Puntarenas
We will travel from San José to Puntarenas where we will board our boat to visit Tortuga Island.
120 minutes here
Puntarenas
We will do a dolphin watching during the tour and you will also be able to observe the islands that make up the Gulf of Nicoya while we travel to Isla Tortuga.
45 minutes here
Tortuga Island
Upon arrival we will arrive to snorkel which is an activity of 45 minutes where we provide the equipment.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Tortuga Island
We will give you 5 hours of beach so you can relax in the shade of the palm trees or go sunbathe, take advantage and enjoy the delicious turquoise sea.
300 minutes here · Admission included
Puntarenas
After finishing the tour, we will travel to San José from Puntarenas.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Alajuela
We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number, we will notify you by email or through Viator.
Meeting point
Alajuela
We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number, we will notify you by email or through Viator.
Meeting point
Alajuela
We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number, we will notify you by email or through Viator.
Meeting point
Alajuela
We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number, we will notify you by email or through Viator.
Meeting point
Alajuela
We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number, we will notify you by email or through Viator.
Meeting point
Alajuela
We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number, we will notify you by email or through Viator.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number, we will notify you by email or through Viator.
Ends at
We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number, we will notify you by email or through Viator.
Ends at
We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number, we will notify you by email or through Viator.
Ends at
We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number, we will notify you by email or through Viator.
Ends at
We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number, we will notify you by email or through Viator.
Ends at
We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number, we will notify you by email or through Viator.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Inside Tours Costa Rica
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 710 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
710 verified traveler reviews for Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing experience
Roy was a great tour guide! Breakfast spot was great with a little added surprise. I did not snorkel due needing to be a very strong swimmer. Lunch was very good vibes were great and the amount of time on the beach was just enough. Comfy transportation
via Tripadvisor
Great guide
First, the guide was Roy was amazing. Very interactive and helpful. I think the fact they charge for everything at the island could be listed. 4 hours out and 5 hours back but the time on the island was truly fun.
via Tripadvisor
Great trip
The snorkeling was fantastic and the beach was beautiful
via Tripadvisor
Worth it!!
Let me start with saying this was absolutely worth every penny. I had such an amazing time with a great tour guide and I went for my first solo trip. There were only about 16 people in our group, but the bus was absolutely amazing because it was super comfortable and it came with a comfortable seats, seatbelts and a USB port to charge your devices. We first stopped to get breakfast. It wasn’t the cheapest but it definitely was fulfilling and the restaurant came with a small butterfly garden and a built-in gift shop. Then we were on our way to the dock to get on our boat to go to the island and our tour guide gave us some fun facts about the nearby islands on our way getting on the boat was smooth and easy and the captain Steven was absolutely on point with giving us a beautiful opportunity to see dolphins, monkeys, and even some crocodiles the snorkeling experience was one of a kind Josue even gave us some food to give to the fish and they were eating out of our hands. It was such a crazy experience and I loved every second of it then we got onto the beach, which was lovely small but still beautiful. The water was perfect. The people were so nice and then we got fruit which was pineapple and watermelon. That was delicious. We had our lunch, which was a pretty big plate and was again delicious then they gave us coffee and cookies and then you could go ahead and buy mini excursions on the island like a walking trail or canoes or Banana boats there was a bar on the island and there were chairs that had umbrellas that you could purchase for US $11 or 5,000 CRC. The whole experience was smooth, informative fun and safe. It’s great for a couples family groups or solo travelers like myself. The only thing I did not like was if your pick up point is at the Hilton La Sabana, the drop off is not going to be in front of the hotel and you will have to walk a little bit to get back to the hotel which felt a little unsafe. But other than that, I would’ve loved to do this experience again thank you so much for the great memory.
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful combination of nature spotting, snorkelling and beach time
Amazing - guides were super friendly and looked after me as the only non-native Spanish speaker - making sure I understood everything and had everything I needed. The experience itself was amazing - I saw crocodiles, dolphins (basically touching the boat they were so close!), spider monkeys and a turtle from the boat - after that we went snorkeling where I got to swim with an incredible amount of colourful fish. On the island itself the water was lovely to swim in and I enjoyed a piña colada on the beach :) we were provided lunch, grilled chicken, rice and salad which was very tasty.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 248
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Inside Tours Costa Rica, who run 12 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 61.4.
See everything Inside Tours Costa Rica runsWhy this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Alajuela.
How much does Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch cost?
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Prices start at $115 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Alajuela usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch take?
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Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Alajuela is not rushed.
Is Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 710 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Alajuela, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch?
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Around 248 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Alajuela can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Alajuela and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Alajuela within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Alajuela?
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On Outty we rank every Alajuela experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner, Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose, Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Alajuela?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Alajuela?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch?
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Included: Dolphin watching (natural event, not controlled); Tea and coffee; All Fees and Taxes; Fresh seasonal fruits; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Tips; and Breakfast. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch?
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We will send the times via WhatsApp the day before your departure. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number that can receive messages. If you do not provide a valid number. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch?
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Across 710 reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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