Limón to Tortuguero is about 97 road miles (156 km): roughly 3 h 51 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
Full advisory: Costa Rica. Advisory issued: Costa Rica April 02, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Costa Rica: “Do not drive through water if you can't see its depth.”
| Total distance | 97 mi (156 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 51 min |
| Provinces on the route | Limón |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
On the road from Limón to Tortuguero
Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Limón and Tortuguero
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–97 | 97 | Limón |
Stops between Limón and Tortuguero
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Las Mercedes (mile 46)
- Nature and outdoors: Barbilla National Park (mile 24), Turrialba Volcano National Park (mile 58), Tortuguero National Park (mile 90)
- Museums and history: Las Mercedes (mile 46)
Barbilla National Park
On the eastern slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca, Barbilla National Park belongs to the Caribbean La Amistad Conservation Area; it became a biological preserve in 1982 and a national park in 1998.
Las Mercedes
On Costa Rica's Caribbean slope, between the foothills of Turrialba Volcano and the alluvial plain, Las Mercedes is an archaeological site with platforms, plazas, terraces, ramps, funerary areas and paved roads.
Turrialba Volcano National Park
Turrialba Volcano National Park covers the area around Turrialba Volcano in Cartago Province, within Costa Rica's Central Conservation Area. Major eruptions took place between 1864 and 1868.
Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park lies in Costa Rica's Limón Province, within the Tortuguero Conservation Area in the northeast of the country.
More drives to Tortuguero
- Heredia to Tortuguero
- Alajuela to Tortuguero
- Cartago, Costa Rica to Tortuguero
- Puntarenas to Tortuguero
- San Isidro to Tortuguero
- Dominical to Tortuguero
From Limón to other places in Costa Rica
- Limón to Cartago, Costa Rica
- Limón to Alajuela
- Limón to San Isidro
- Limón to Puntarenas
- Limón to Manuel Antonio
- Limón to Santa Elena
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Limón to Tortuguero?
About 3 h 51 min of driving without stops, over 97 miles.
What is the driving distance from Limón to Tortuguero?
About 97 miles (156 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Limón to Tortuguero drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Limón and Tortuguero?
Closest to the road: Barbilla National Park (national park, mile 24, 9 mi from the route); Las Mercedes (archaeological site, mile 46, 0.6 mi from the route); Tortuguero National Park (national park, mile 90, 6 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.