It's a fascinating boat journey up-river (1½- hours) from Puerto Limon on the Caribbean coast to Tortuga Lodge in Tortuguero National Park, in an area of mangrove swamps brimming over with wildlife. the best lodge in the area, with excellent guides and food.
The lodge has 24 rooms in 6 two-storey hardwood buildings. Rooms are spacious and comfortable with large screened, open-frame windows, private facilities and a wide veranda with a hammock overlooking the river. There is no air-conditioning but all rooms have ceiling fans. Meals are served in a thatched two-level indoor and outdoor dining area by the river. There is an attractive pool area and adjacent hammock 'rancho.'
On arrival, relax or take advantage of activities on offer from the lodge include hiking along private nature trails, turtle walks and fishing. The park is home to spider, howler and white-faced monkeys, three-toed sloths, river otters, caimans, iguanas, poison dart frogs and 320 species of bird. Green sea turtles nest from July to September, hawksbills, and huge leatherbacks from March to June.
You’ll explore by boat the salt water canals that border the park, accompanied by an English-speaking naturalist guide. Return to the lodge for lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure, relaxing or enjoying some of the optional activities on offer.
Our Comment
The best food I've eaten anywhere in Costa Rica. Very wholesome, varied and extremely tasty! The rooms are spacious with character. They all have their own hammocks outside and no one has far to walk to the main facilities. There is fresh water swimming pool and loungers. Highly recommended.
Megan Parkinson, Consultant, Tailor-made Holidays
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 Tortuga Lodge decking
 Tortuguero National Park, heaving with tropical birds
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