Tortuga Lodge & Gardens, Tortuguero

Authenticity

If you're looking for secluded accommodation, you might like Tortuga Lodge & Gardens' location on its own along the banks of the lagoon. Although surrounded by trees and tropical plants, you can't miss the colorful, Victorian-style, two-story room blocks with balconies and wraparound porches. The open-air restaurant overlooks the river and serves modern Costa Rican Caribbean dishes from an upscale eatery in San José (so you get the jungle experience and gourmet food at the same time).  

Location

You'll find Tortuga Lodge & Gardens on the area's central peninsula, set between two lagoons. One downside to the property is that it's one of the farthest from Tortuguero Town, but on the upside, that makes it a bit more private and remote. Still, a quick boat ride can take you to the town. Packages include tours to the national park, Tortuguero Town, and a nature walk.

Rooms & Bathrooms

You have your choice of standard rooms, suites, and an exclusive villa. Standard rooms and suites sit on the river's edge in two-story colorful blocks, with options for downstairs or upstairs units. All units have pillow-top beds, private patios or balconies, views of the lagoon, ceiling fans, air-conditioning, and screened windows (so you can enjoy the Caribbean breeze and sounds of the jungle). If you opt to book a secluded villa, you'll have a private entrance, waterfront terrace, and plunge pool. 

Wildlife

Set on a private nature reserve, the lodge provides ample opportunities to see Costa Rica's iconic wildlife. Head out on the 1.4-mile trail leading away from the property for the best sightseeing opportunities, whether on your own or as part of a guided tour. 

Amenities

Despite the rural location, Tortuga Lodge manages to provide all the standard amenities you would expect in the city: air-conditioning, food, and even WiFi. The small heated pool overlooking the Tortuguero Rivera provides a nice place to unwind, paired with a drink from the all-day coffee station or bar and wine cellar. Should you want to go exploring, the lodge provides rubber boots, walking sticks, and even fishing poles. There are no accessible rooms, and the journey to the lodge would be difficult for guests with limited mobility. 

Family-Friendliness

While the lodge welcomes children of all ages, certain suites have a minimum age of 12. Children under the age of two stay for free, while those aged three to 11 stay at a reduced rate. Some of the activities need to be booked privately for kids under the age of seven. 

Other Highlights

The property's highlight is the Green Turtle Restaurant, which uses local ingredients to produce 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, it's unusual to have a fine dining experience in Tortuguero! 

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.