Tortuga Lodge & Gardens

We stayed at Tortuga Lodge May 14th to 17th. We wanted to send management a clear message about a few employees and our experience. Manuel has to be one of the best guides I have experienced in my 40+ years of traveling to over 60 countries. He is always teaching and willing to answer questions. His co-guide Alex make the two a very effective team. Alex can find animals and maneuver the boat so that the entire group can see the and photograph the animals. Both very professional and excited about the work.

We were very fortunate to have spent three nights at the magical and beautiful Tortuga Lodge. The area surrounding f this northern Caribbean lodge is breathtaking. We were met at Caño Blanco and transported by boat to Tortuga Lodge. The one and a half hour boat ride was amazing, we saw crocodiles, monkeys, and countless birds along the way. Upon arrival we were greeted at the dock by a handful of staff who offered us cold and refreshing towels and refreshing fruit drinks. Our luggage was quickly whisked to our room while we stopped at their river front restaurant for a snack. We stayed at an upstairs Miss Evelyn room overlooking the river. The room was great, very spacious, clean, well appointed with a comfortable king size bed. Another highlight was that we had a massive covered private balcony with two comfortable rocking chairs and a hammock large enough for two people. In addition to daily cleaning of the room, every night there was turn down service. We booked the full package which included three meals a day as well as several activities. The staff at the Tortuga Lodge was incredible. Every single person, from wait staff to housekeeping and from front desk to the guide who took us around were friendly, kind, patient, knowledgeable and professional. In particular, we would like to mention and thank Manuel, our expert guide, who met us at Caño Blanco and who that same evening patiently took us on a fascinating night walk. The following morning he took us on a river cruise to see all kinds of flora and fauna, a fantastic hike through the forest and then up to a magnificent spot where we enjoyed a panoramic view. Finally, on our penultimate day, we went with Manuel to the town of Tortuguero and a walk to the beach to learn about sea turtles, their habits and their struggle for survival. Manuel is a walking encyclopedia and willingly shared his knowledge with us. Our stay at Tortuguero, which ends tomorrow, has been outstanding. Our only complaint is that we now have to say goodbye to this wonderful place and the amazing people who work here.

Our stay at Tortuga Lodge was simply wonderful! The staff was incredibly friendly, attentive, and accommodating—we felt well taken care of from the very beginning. Our room was bright and welcoming, featuring a high-quality bed and mosquito protection in both the living and bathroom areas—perfect for the rainforest setting. The food was of high quality, always attractively presented, and served à la carte. A special highlight: non-alcoholic beverages and one massage per room were included. The massage was deeply relaxing and soothing! Each day, we could choose two activities. Highlights included visiting the village of Tortuguero, an exciting kayak tour through the canals, a boat trip into the national park with fascinating wildlife sightings, and an adventurous night walk. The entire property is very well-maintained and offers its own hiking trails, where we encountered various animals during our night walks (see pictures). The journey to the lodge is an adventure in itself but absolutely worth it. Since the lodge is only accessible by boat, the approximately 1 hour and 15-minute ride through the breathtaking nature of Tortuguero National Park was already a unique experience, offering first glimpses of the diverse flora and fauna. Conclusion: If you love nature and are seeking an exclusive, relaxing atmosphere, this is the perfect place for you!

Unique lodge set on the canal in the Tortuguero National Park. An impressive start to our trip to amazing Costa Rica. The journey to and from The lodge by boat is an adventure in itself but all superbly managed by the hotel. On our way we saw monkeys and crocodiles. We were met on the dockside with a cocktail from the friendly and enthusiastic staff who could not have done more for each of their gusts. The room was huge and thoughtfully equipped with everything you may need. We had a huge terrace from where we could see and listen to the sights and sounds of the jungle. We had a swinging bed and comfy rocking chairs to watch the amazing wildlife. The swimming pool offered welcome relief from the heat but the rooms are equipped with aircon so you could cool down after a days hike. Breakfast, lunch and dinner was included and all the food was fresh, beautifully served with a good choice. We joined many of the activities on offer all led by knowledgeable and interesting guides.

We had a wonderful two night at Tortugua Lodge which our travel agent highly recommended. We stayed in the Miss Perla suite which was a touch on the small side but very manageable. All of the meals were outstanding and of a high calibre. Service was excellent. Highlight was the 6 am two and a half hour boat ride of the river where we spotted many wildlife. Manuel our guide was excellent at spotting and hearing what would appeal to those on the boat. Highly recommended. We also did a night tour with Bernardo who was so knowledgeable and able to point out many strawberry dart spiders. It was a magical experience!