Pachira Lodge
Tortuguero - Grupo Pachira
Set in the wilds of Tortuguero, Costa Rica, Pachira Lodge offers a true wilderness and eco-lodge experience. The lodge rests on the main Tortuguero Canal, across from the village and only five minutes from the entrance to Tortuguero National Park. Guests of the lodge can expect rustic, eco-friendly accommodations, a remote jungle setting, and excellent customer service. Hotel amenities include tropical gardens and nature trails, restaurant and bar, swimming pool, spa, and WiFi in some public areas.
Tortuguero is one of the most remote destinations in Costa Rica. It is only accessible by boat or domestic flight, which is a great thing as forests, flora, and fauna remain protected and fairly undisturbed. The famous Tortuguero Canals cut through the jungle, making boat transfers the only viable option for getting around. The town of Tortuguero (across the main canal from the lodge) rests on a peninsula between the main canal and the Caribbean Sea. Sea turtles nest on the town's beach from the end of July until the beginning of October. Tortuguero National Park is the main attraction in the region, encompassing most of the surrounding area. Countless species of exotic and rare flora and fauna can be found here. All visitors to the region must pay the entrance fee to the national park, which is $15 per adult, $5 per child between the ages of 5 - 11, and free for children 4 years or less. The entrance fee must be paid in person upon arrival to Tortuguero and is not included in your stay at the lodge.
Getting to Tortuguero is interesting. No matter where you are coming from, you will have to take an approximately one-hour-long boat ride (25-pound weight limit) to the lodge, and before that, you will likely have to drive several hours to reach the boat dock. Once you arrive, the lodge will provide you with a refreshing welcome cocktail and a buffet style lunch. After eating, you will be brought to the village of Tortuguero for a brief tour of the town and also to the Green Turtle Museum (museum contribution is not included). A buffet dinner will be served when you return to the lodge.
If you select the two-night package, you will be provided with a riverboat tour through the Tortuguero Canals on your full day at the lodge. This is a wonderful way to spot wildlife as a bilingual naturalist guide will accompany you. Monkeys, sloths, toucans, and crocodiles are among the many animals that are commonly spotted on this tour, so don't forget your camera! You will also have the opportunity to hike the lodge's trails through the rainforest, which is frequented by many animals. Buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided. Note that none of what is described in this paragraph is available if you select the one-night package.
Aside from the nature tours and lodge activities, just hanging out at Pachira Lodge can be fun or relaxing. Guests can cool off in the lodge's turtle shaped swimming or enjoy a tropical cocktail in the lounge area. For an additional fee, you can indulge in a massage or treatment at the lodge's spa. Optional tour as turtle nesting observation (only available from mid-March through mid-October when turtles are nesting) can also be purchased from the lodge for an additional fee.
The 88 no-frills guestrooms at Pachira Lodge are what one would expect at a remote eco-lodge. The rooms provide the basic necessities including a bed (or beds), private bathroom with (semi) hot water, and a ceiling fan. Note that no other amenities should be expected. There is no television and no air-conditioning (and it's hot in Tortuguero!).
Departing the lodge is similar to arrival. You will have to take a boat ride out of the region and then ground transportation to your next destination. Again, the boat ride will take approximately one hour, and most other destinations will require several hours of driving.
NOTE: The order of tours and activities is subject to change at the lodge's discretion for a variety of reasons that are out of our control. For example, the lodge frequently exchanges the town tour and canal tour. We encourage you to inquire with the lodge at the time of arrival for absolute clarity.
Latitude: N 10° 32' 45.21"
Longitude: W 83° 30' 31.91"
02/05/2020
We would have preferred private tables in the restaurant.
12/19/2019
Internet was dodgy. Food was good. Concept of sharing tables was good. Guide was very good. Organisation was very good.
08/26/2019
Food a bit boring compared to other hotels but ok
07/02/2019
The hotel was great, especially the gardens and the staff. The room was big and clean but because of its position and because it didn't have any glass in the windows it lacked a bit of privacy. The bathroom is rather small and badly lit.
10/20/2017
In the jungle, super clean. no snakes. Keep up the great service.
07/12/2017
We had a wonderful time in Pachira, and really enjoyed beeing able to stay so close to the wildlife.
07/08/2017
Loved this place. Fernando was a fabulous guide for all aspects.
06/29/2017
Would go back to Mawamba Lodge next time, better location. However, the guides were knowledgeable and very congenial--excellent.
03/29/2017
Fantastic location & great food
03/10/2017
I have never seen so much wildlife and bird life without even leaving my property. It was fantastic, I will definitely go back. And our guided tours were wonderful, perfect English, very knowledgeable and humorous. All Great!
02/27/2017
Very nice! And appropriate for the area.
02/26/2017
Happy that it was an eco-lodge and practiced what it preached. Would have liked all walls to extend to ceiling. Very pretty surroundings.
02/19/2017
Absolutely loved everything about this place, great location, staff, food was amazing.
02/08/2017
This was our favourite hotel of the entire trip. The staff , the surroundings, the food- all were wonderful and the howler alarm clock was perfect!!
01/22/2017
No hot water in the sink. Only one chair in the room. Nothing to put luggage on. It was like camping.
01/08/2017
Great food. Great setting.
12/31/2016
I did not enjoy the overly structured aspect of this part of the holiday
12/27/2016
Loved the feel of camping in the jungle combined with the beautiful pool and delicious meals.
11/07/2016
Loved how Pachira Lodge blended into its environment. Howler monkeys put on quite a show both mornings. Nice pool.
09/07/2016
Pachira is very good. No luxury, but a very good price-quality balance. the staff is very friendly and helpfull. We loved this place so much. We had great excursions and we met very nice people.
08/11/2016
Too much like a military operation for me but the kids loved the pool.
07/23/2016
Quite nice pool. Loved the service.
07/16/2016
Fernando and Rollando were amazing guides. Very knowledgeable. They made this portion of the trip amazing.
06/26/2016
Wonderful all around! Loved Pachira Lodge and the caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Manfred was an incredible guide! He took amazing care of everyone in his party and went out of his way to make sure we all got the most out of the experience.
03/20/2016
We loved this cabin-like hotel. It was very peaceful except for the howler monkeys that woke us up, but we loved hearing them. We enjoyed the remote location, relaxing by the pool and friendly staff.
03/16/2016
Fine for what it is. On reflection, we would have preferred to stay in the town of Tortuguero, or at least to have had the option of a less touristy, resort-type place. Food mediocre, felt like sheep being herded, and we are not bar patrons. Just not our cup of tea.
03/05/2016
loved this place, The best place we stayed in ,everyone helpful.
Terry thought he would have liked a mosquito net as we here so much in the u.k about diseases carried by them. It would have given him peace of mind even if not really necessary
03/02/2016
Great experience in a unique setting. Feedback to hotel...music at the bar is not appropriate for the environment. Perhaps some local music but not a seventies disco soundtrack on repeat!
02/22/2016
Food was not that good and you are a captive of the hotel. Beautiful surroundings but rooms could use some updating.
01/30/2016
Food was great , pool very nice and staff helpful.
01/26/2016
very friendly staff
01/11/2016
One of our favorite places. Great staff, good food.
12/11/2015
I wish we had stayed longer.
11/17/2015
Very nice overall but rooms were only okay and food was satisfactory. Should consider having Wi-Fi around the pool and bar areas - would increase convenience for guests and revenue for the property. Had hoped the property was nearer to the Tortuguero National Park canals so we could kayak there on our own.
07/11/2015
Our stay there was a highlight of the trip. Guides and staff were great. Food was pretty good. Overall atmosphere and facilities were terrific.
06/06/2015
Staff very profressional and service oriented.
03/18/2015
Absolutely loved this part of Costa Rica. I could live here.
02/20/2015
My favorite place on our tour
02/14/2015
Pachira lodge was fantastic. Loved the airflow in the rooms and wildness just out the door. Wish we had stayed 3 nights.
02/09/2015
Bed was not great - bathroom was very dark. Having a food allergy, I found eating lunch and dinner somewhat problematic as most salads and entrees had red/green peppers in them.
