Tortuga Lodge and Gardens

Gardens and a saltwater swim after exploring

Tropical gardens and a saltwater pool give Tortuga Lodge and Gardens a restful counterpoint to Tortuguero’s canal adventures. Rainforest and wetlands surround this remote destination, reached only by boat or plane. Leave time to settle among the palms after exploring: the lodge’s usually quiet hours can take on a livelier soundtrack when macaws are in the area, with wildlife sometimes moving through the grounds.

Watch the waterways through the seasons

Green sea turtles nest from mid-July to mid-October, but Tortuguero’s habitat holds much more than its turtle season. Monkeys and sloths may be seen along the canals, while crocodiles and caimans inhabit the waterways and manatees are less frequently seen. Jaguars also live in the region. Spoonbills and seasonal great green macaws add reasons for birdwatchers to keep looking. Each outing is shaped by the habitat and conditions, with no particular animal promised.

A table and a room for the slower hours

Green Turtle Restaurant serves Costa Rican and international dishes, with Caribbean-themed cocktails at the bar. A lounge and the gardens give you places to pause after dinner, and WiFi is available in some public areas. Private bathrooms, comfortable beds and room WiFi form the accommodation’s practical foundation. Room choices can add balconies or terraces, extra living space or a villa plunge pool; select the outdoor space you want to enjoy, and confirm air conditioning and television for your exact category before booking.

Plan the arrival and separate admission

Boat luggage is limited to 25 pounds per person. National park admission is $15 per person and must be paid separately in person on arrival; it cannot be included in the hotel price. Arrange the journey and choose the room around your comfort priorities, then leave room in the itinerary for a saltwater swim and time in the gardens. Those quieter intervals are an inviting part of being here, alongside the canal outings.

What to consider when choosing Tortuga Lodge and Gardens

• Choose a restful rainforest base: gardens, palms and the wetland setting keep nature close, with usually quiet hours that can become livelier when seasonal macaws are around.
• Leave time for a saltwater swim: the pool, lounge and gardens give you ways to unwind after a canal outing.
• Make meals part of the stay: Green Turtle Restaurant serves Costa Rican and international dishes, and the bar brings Caribbean-themed cocktails into the evening.
• Time nature outings thoughtfully: green turtles nest from mid-July to mid-October, and great green macaws are seasonal. Monkeys, sloths and waterway wildlife add interest; manatees and jaguars also inhabit the region, with no particular animal promised on an outing.
• Match accommodation to your needs: room choices can add balconies, terraces, living space or a plunge pool. Confirm air conditioning and television for the room you reserve; private bathrooms and room WiFi add practical comforts, with WiFi also in some public areas.
• Prepare for remote access: arrive by boat or plane; boat luggage is limited to 25 pounds per person.
• Keep admission outside the hotel price: the $15 park entrance fee must be paid separately in person on arrival.