Barra del Tortuguero
Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Barra del Tortuguero
Remote jungle airstrip serving Costa Rica's wildlife refuge.
- ›Tortuguero is one of the most important nesting sites for green sea turtles in the Western Hemisphere.
- ›The area is not accessible by road, making air and boat the only practical transport options.
- ›The airstrip serves a small community surrounded by canals, rainforest, and the Caribbean Sea.
- ›Ecotourism is the primary driver of air traffic to this remote location.
- ›The ICAO code MRBT designates this as a Costa Rican-registered aerodrome.
Barra del Tortuguero Airport (MRBT) is a small airstrip serving the remote village of Tortuguero on Costa Rica's northern Caribbean coast. It functions as a critical access point for one of the country's most celebrated national parks, famous for sea turtle nesting beaches and dense jungle waterways. The airport primarily handles light charter and small regional aircraft, as the area is otherwise accessible only by boat or floatplane.
- Main Airstrip Terminal — A simple open-air facility with minimal amenities, serving light charter flights and eco-tourism traffic.
- Water taxi to Tortuguero village (primary connection across the canal)
- Private boat transfers arranged through local lodges
- Charter vehicle transfers via coordinated tour operators
- Tortuga Lodge & Gardens
- Pachira Lodge
- Mawamba Lodge
- Evergreen Lodge
- Casa Marbella
The airport itself has no dining facilities. In Tortuguero village, accessible by water taxi, visitors will find small local sodas serving traditional Costa Rican rice-and-bean dishes, fresh seafood, and tropical fruit. Most lodge packages include meals, which is the most convenient dining option for guests in this remote area.
- Book your water taxi transfer to the village in advance, as the canal crossing is the only way to reach Tortuguero from the airstrip.
- Pack light and in soft-sided bags, as small charter aircraft have strict weight and size restrictions.
- Bring cash in Costa Rican colones or US dollars, as ATMs are nonexistent in Tortuguero and card acceptance is limited.
- Arrange all transfers through your lodge ahead of time, as there are no public transport options at this remote airstrip.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Airlines serving this airport
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Routes
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