Tortuga Lodge & Gardens, Tortuguero

Pros

• This quaint, upscale property has 29 rooms divided among seven Victorian Carribean-style buildings set on the river with balconies or terraces (all with views of the lagoon). 
• Book yourself the secluded Miss Florentina Villa with a private entrance, plunge pool, and waterfront terrace.
• The property encompasses a private nature reserve with four walking paths, an outdoor (heated) pool, and a sun terrace right on the river.
• The on-site, open-air restaurant is a unique treat for the Tortuguero area, as it's a fine-dining restaurant rather than a standard buffet and features an extensive wine cellar.
• Enjoy little upscale touches, like self-serve complimentary afternoon coffee and tea and nightly turndown service. 

Cons

• The lodge is only accessible by boat or plane, necessitating complicated logistics, though the payoff is a truly remote stay. 

Authenticity

If you're looking for secluded accommodation along the Caribbean, this is it. While Tortuga Lodge & Gardens is flanked by dense rainforest and Río Tortuguero, you can't miss the colorfully painted Victorian Caribbean room blocks with carved balconies and wraparound porches. The Green Turtle Restaurant serves modern Costa Rican Caribbean dishes from an upscale eatery in San José, while its open-air concept overlooking the river allows you to take in the sights and sounds of the rainforest as you dine (so you get the jungle experience and gourmet food at the same time). 

Location

Surrounded by dense vegetation and two lagoons of the Río Tortuguero on the area's central peninsula, Tortuga Lodge & Gardens is only accessible by plane or boat. The lodge is about a 10-minute boat ride from the village of Tortuguero, where you'll find souvenir shopping and dining options, but you don't have to leave the grounds as its restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner included in the room rate. You'll have beach access, though swimming isn't allowed (strong currents), and you can take advantage of trails and nature activities put on by the lodge. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

Five suites, named after prominent Tortuguero locals, sit on the river's edge in two-story colorful blocks, with options for ground or first-floor units. You'll find hardwood floors, macrame-draped lighting, pastel-painted walls, and bright pops of color in textiles and wood furniture. All rooms have pillow-top beds, full or partial views of the lagoon, ceiling fans, eco-efficient air-conditioning, solar-heated rain showers, and wall-to-wall windows with large screened sliding glass doors to let in the Caribbean breeze and sounds of the jungle, opening onto either a private terrace or balcony. Upgrade to the Miss Florentina Villa for added perks like a private plunge pool, a wraparound deck with a swing bed, and an outdoor shower.  

Amenities

Despite the rural location, Tortuga Lodge provides all the standard amenities you would expect in the city: air-conditioning, food, and even WiFi. The small heated pool overlooking the Río Tortuguero is a nice spot to unwind, paired with a drink from the all-day coffee station (serving tea, coffee, infusions, and sweet treats) or bar and wine cellar, as is receiving treatment in the floating spa. Should you want to go exploring the private nature reserve, the lodge supplies rubber boots, umbrellas, walking sticks, and even fishing poles. And in case of rainy weather, the hotel puts on cooking classes (at a cost) and offers board games. There are two accessible rooms.

Family-Friendliness

While the lodge welcomes children of all ages, kids under the age of two stay for free, and those three to 11 stay at a reduced rate. Suites sleep up to four guests, while the Miss Florentina Suite can accommodate five. Some activities may require private booking for children seven and younger, but the lodge provides child-friendly meal options and is easy to navigate with a stroller. There are books and board games, and the pool is popular with little ones of swimming age.

Wildlife

The lodge's private nature reserve is a haven for wildlife. You can expect to see iguanas, toucans, geckos, and howler monkeys (and more), as well as the resident sloth by the staff quarters. Head out on the 1.4-mile (2.3 km) trail leading away from the property for the best sightseeing opportunities (on your own or as part of a guided tour) and sign up for a guided night walk to try and spot the very tiny strawberry poison dart frog and other nocturnal creatures. 

Sustainability

Most of the employees are local to the area, and nearly 50% of products used at the lodge come from local producers. Other sustainability initiatives include using solar energy for water heating, biodegradable plastics, a high-tech water purification system, and salt rather than chlorine in the swimming pool. Additionally, the waste system converts methane gas to electricity. You'll also pay a one-time nominal fee that goes toward conservation efforts.

Other Highlights

The property's highlight is the Green Turtle Restaurant, which uses local ingredients to create elevated versions of traditional Costa Rican, Caribbean, and African dishes. The open-air dining area overlooking the lagoon creates quite the experience, especially in the evenings when candles and torches flicker as the sun begins to set. As most other lodges serve buffets, having a fine dining experience in Tortuguero is unusual!