I put several places on my list for my Costa Rica family vacations, but in the end, I discovered many more places that I wasn’t aware of. Now I’m in the Nicoya Peninsula, in the south of Guanacaste, and yesterday I was at a beautiful island called Tortuga (Turtle). Traveling in Guanacaste can be rewarding, with all these wonderful places one after another, perfect for a Costa Rica vacations.

Tortuga Island is a remote island in the Gulf of Nicoya, and it’s a popular destination. The island has white-sanded beaches with clear, warm water, which makes it perfect for relaxing. The beaches are full of coconut trees, giving it a very tropical look, and at the same time, shadows from the sun. Once on the island, a lot of activities are offered, like swimming, hiking, sunbathing, beach volleyball and adventure activities like canopy tours and kayaking. The island if perfect for Costa Rica birding tour, due to the variety of bird species that live on the island.

Tours usually start from Puntarenas or Jacó, and the trip from the mainland to the island takes around 90 minutes. Two of the most popular activities are snorkeling and scuba diving, taking advantage of the clear waters. There’s a boat with a glass bottom, which provides another perfect shot at watching the rich sealife of the Gulf. You will have the chance to see angel fishes, sting rays, dolphins, and sharks, among others.

Tortuga Island is a great opportunity to relax and get away from the city in a one day tour. Talk to you Costa Rica travel agency to book the tour and activities that are offered in the island. It is a short trip that will reward you with its natural beauty, and could be perfect as part of your honeymoon in Costa Rica.