Wildlife, waterways and river views in Tortuguero

Tortuga Lodge is one of our favourite places to stay in Tortuguero, set right on the river on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. It’s the only lodge in the region with its own private nature reserve and one of the country’s richest wildlife regions.

The experiences are a real highlight of staying at Tortuga Lodge, and as part of the all-inclusive package, you can choose two activities per booked night. Options include exploring the waterways and rainforest by boat, kayak and on foot. Keep your eyes open for howler, spider and white-faced monkeys, three-toed sloths, caiman, river turtles and an impressive variety of birdlife. After an active day, head back to the lodge for the Swedish spa treatment included with your stay. Private tours can run with just one guest.

There’s an infinity pool overlooking the river and swaying hammocks for slow afternoons in the sun. The Green Turtle Restaurant offers a taste of the Caribbean through dishes like rice and beans and rondón stew. And the plant-based menu includes tacos, plantain rolls and poke bowls.

We particularly recommend timing your stay for baby turtle hatching season (mid-September to mid-November). During this period, you can enjoy a private guided tour to watch hatchlings make their way from nest to sea.

Highlights

Stay at the only hotel in Tortuguero with its own private nature reserve
Dine at the open-air Green Turtle Restaurant and take in the sweeping views over the Tortuguero River
Time your stay for baby turtle hatching season and join a private guide to watch hatchlings make their way to sea
Hike up Cerro Tortuguero with your expert naturalist for panoramic views over the rainforest and waterways
Explore Tortuguero’s waterways by boat or kayak with an expert naturalist, keeping an eye out for monkeys, caiman, turtles and birdlife

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The impact of your stay:

Collectively, the Böëna Wilderness Lodges, including Lapa Rios Rainforest Lodge, Pacuare Lodge, Tortuga Lodge, Monteverde Lodge & Gardens, and Cloud Forest Lodge, own and protect over 800 hectares of primary and secondary forest in vulnerable areas near national parks and crucial biological corridors.
Tortuga Lodge celebrates local Caribbean culture through cultural tours, room names honouring community members, and support for the local Caribbean School of Music. Monthly donations enable over 30 children and adolescents to learn Caribbean-style music, encouraging them to spread culture and art in Tortuguero and San Francisco.
Tortuga Lodge excels in sustainability, sourcing 55% of its energy from 55 solar panels with efficient distribution. Active digesters produce kitchen methane, and advanced water purification negates bottled water use. The lodge opts for salt over chlorine in pools, employs eco-friendly products, and actively manages waste through recycling and cleanups. Emphasising reduced single-use plastics and reusable containers, the lodge transforms restaurant compostable waste into nutrient-rich compost for its gardens.

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