Tour Guides and Operators

Tortuguero is one of those "everybody's a guide" places. Quality varies, but most guides are quite knowledgeable. If you stay at one of the lodges, guided tours are usually included in your package price (check when you book). If you hire a private guide, $15 to $20 per person per hour is the going rate, depending on the excursion, with most lasting three hours.

Daryl Loth. Canadian-born naturalist Daryl Loth has a wealth of information about the area and conducts boat excursions on the canals and, with advance notice, responsible turtle-watching tours in season. Tortuguero, Limón, 70205. 8833–0827; 2709–8011.

Riverboat Francesca. Local indigenous Miskito guide Modesto Watson is legendary for his bird- and animal-spotting skills as well as for his howler-monkey imitations. The family's riverboat, Francesca, can take you up the canals for two-day, one-night excursions to Tortuguero for $225 to $250 per person, depending on the lodge used. As with all Tortuguero excursions, Watson offers a more leisurely three-day, two-night trip as well. If you're interested only in seeing the canals, a four-hour tour ($85) includes lunch. Trips begin at the Caribbean port of Moín, 5 km (3 miles) northwest of Limón. 2226–0986; 810/433–1410; www.tortuguerocanals.com.

Victor Barrantes. Local guide and area expert Victor Barrantes conducts hiking and boating tours around the area. Tortuguero, Limón, 70205. 2709–8055; 8928–1169; tortugueroinfo.tripod.com.