I stumbled upon this gem of an island during my first visit to Costa Rica. This island is not to be confused with the other Costa Rican island named after turtles. There - you can actually find turtles and the beaches aren't always people friendly.
Anyways - scouring the web for recommendable beaches, I happened upon this island. Only accessible by boat and with limited time duration on the island - I was intrigued. Never before had I visited an island where you had to leave by sunset. After some internal debate within myself, I fell in love with the idea of spending the day on an isolated beach. It was beyond beautiful and completely relaxing. The untouched nature (yet still maintained and well taken care of) was what I appreciated most.
As the story of the island goes - some rich Americans or Europeans or Englishman of white origin (I have heard varying stories) bought this piece of land that was in the shape of a turtle. To honor the shape of the island, they named it "Isla Tortuga." And if anyone was thinking you would actually find turtles roaming freely - be prepared for disappointment. There are no turtles. It is also rumored that the owners of the island live there and have their own private residence with cleaners and such who come in daily.
This is debatable and may or may not be true, but I’ve heard a variation of this story both times that I have visited the island so maybe there is some truth to it.
Anyways - scouring the web for recommendable beaches, I happened upon this island. Only accessible by boat and with limited time duration on the island - I was intrigued. Never before had I visited an island where you had to leave by sunset. After some internal debate within myself, I fell in love with the idea of spending the day on an isolated beach. It was beyond beautiful and completely relaxing. The untouched nature (yet still maintained and well taken care of) was what I appreciated most.
As the story of the island goes - some rich Americans or Europeans or Englishman of white origin (I have heard varying stories) bought this piece of land that was in the shape of a turtle. To honor the shape of the island, they named it "Isla Tortuga." And if anyone was thinking you would actually find turtles roaming freely - be prepared for disappointment. There are no turtles. It is also rumored that the owners of the island live there and have their own private residence with cleaners and such who come in daily.
This is debatable and may or may not be true, but I’ve heard a variation of this story both times that I have visited the island so maybe there is some truth to it.
Facts:
Only about 100 or so people are allowed to visit a day. You must arrive by boat - it’s about a 45 minute commute from inland. Activities include: breakfast, lunch, banana boat and scuba diving.
Another activity includes going down to the bottom of the ocean floor and walking. I believe the last time I visited someone did this, but I am not certain.
Overall this is a nice trip to escape big crowds and literally have a relaxed day doing nothing but drinking, eating and laying out in the sun. I would say go during off season and with a group of friends, but if like me you don’t have that option for whatever reason, it isn’t a bad solo day trip. Both times that I went, I witnessed people who traveled alone and each time they met someone to hang out with.
The second time I visited, I was living in Costa Rica by myself so I didn’t have anyone to go with. However, I wound up meeting some of the sweetest ladies who included me in their day activities which was us just laying out in the sun, taking pictures, waking along the sand, and taking in the “no fuss, no obligation day trip”
Facts:
Only about 100 or so people are allowed to visit a day. You must arrive by boat - it’s about a 45 minute commute from inland. Activities include: breakfast, lunch, banana boat and scuba diving.
Another activity includes going down to the bottom of the ocean floor and walking. I believe the last time I visited someone did this, but I am not certain.
Overall this is a nice trip to escape big crowds and literally have a relaxed day doing nothing but drinking, eating and laying out in the sun. I would say go during off season and with a group of friends, but if like me you don’t have that option for whatever reason, it isn’t a bad solo day trip. Both times that I went, I witnessed people who traveled alone and each time they met someone to hang out with.
The second time I visited, I was living in Costa Rica by myself so I didn’t have anyone to go with. However, I wound up meeting some of the sweetest ladies who included me in their day activities which was us just laying out in the sun, taking pictures, waking along the sand, and taking in the “no fuss, no obligation day trip”