The village of Tortuguero is situated north of the National Park, on a strip of land between the canal and the Caribbean Sea and houses approximately 800 residents.

Since Tortuguero only is accessible by boat or plane, there are no cars in the village and the atmosphere is tranquil and relaxed. The population is a mixed group of native Ticos, Nicaraguans, Afro-Caribbeans and foreigners from all over the world. Columbians founded the village in 1930 and started to make a living of exporting sea turtles and coconuts. In the 40s the exploitation of forest resources begun and immigrants arrived because of increased working opportunities. To improve the ways of transportation, new canals were constructed and connected to the existing river system in the 60s and 70s. Today the village and its inhabitants is more ore less dependent on tourism. A couple of souvenir shops and other stores are found in the village.

Beaches in Tortuguero and the surroundings are not suitable for swimming- there is a dangerous current and sometimes sharks are also present!