Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Tortuga Lodge
Come for the turtles, stay for the views
A laid back, tranquil riverside retreat, this lodge just a mile north of Tortuguero town has the edge on most properties in the area: it’s the only one with its own private nature reserve. That means you can take boat trips with a naturalist or head out on foot with a guide right from your doorstep – and getting outdoors really is a must, as this place is wild, with turtles, brightly coloured frogs and myriad birds to meet.
Staying around the lodge has its benefits, too, though. Set within a series of brightly painted buildings, with colours ranging from turquoise to pink, the airy bedrooms are a comfortable place to relax – especially thanks to those with Tortuguero River views from your private balcony.
There’s an infinity pool overlooking the river, fishing poles to use to see what you can catch, and swaying hammocks that invite lazy afternoons in the sun by the Caribbean Sea. The Green Turtle Restaurant offers a taste of the Caribbean, with dishes like rice and beans or rondón stew, and their plant-based menu has tacos, plantain rolls and poke bowls.
Highlights
Plant-based meal options
Caribbean flavoured local produce
Infinity pool overlooking the river
Baby turtle hatching experiences
Kayaking on the Tortuguero River
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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