Turtle Beach Lodge
Turtle Beach Lodge
Surrounded by dense jungle, canals, and the sea, Turtle Beach Lodge provides a secluded ecolodge experience in the wilds of Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Guests of this remote lodge will enjoy seclusion and tranquility that is only possible in the world's most remote jungles. Lodge amenities include a swimming pool, restaurant and bar, and trails.
Tortuguero is one of the most remote regions in Costa Rica, only accessible by boat or plane. The jungles and pristine, teaming with wildlife. The canals are the roads of the forest and are home to manatees, crocodiles, and caiman. The jungle protects numerous species of exotic animals including monkeys, sloths, macaws, jaguars, and many others animals. The beach at Tortuguero is a primary nesting site for several species of turtles. Green turtles are the most common, nesting from the end of July through mid-October. Visitors should be aware that Tortuguero is hot, humid, rugged, and not for the faint of heart.
The lodge offers several multi-day packages, but most visitors elect for the 3-day, 2-night package. This package includes roundtrip transportation from most San Jose hotels, or if you are coming from another area, you can meet the group at the docks. The drive from San Jose is long but scenic, taking approximately 4 hours including a stop for breakfast. From the port, you will take an hour to hour and a half-long boat ride (25-pound weight limit) to the village of Tortuguero. You will have approximately one hour to explore the town, and you will also have to pay your entrance fee to Tortuguero National Park. This fee is NOT included in the price of your package as it must be paid directly. The cost is $15 per adult, $5 for kids 5 - 11, and free for younger children (subject to change at any time). After visiting the town, you will continue to Turtle Beach Lodge where lunch will be served and then you can check-in to your room. You will have the afternoon to explore, and then dinner will be served in the evening.
The next day, you can start the day early with coffee and cookies in the restaurant at 5:30 am. Then, at 5:45 am, you will have the opportunity to go on a boat ride on the Tortuguero Canals in search of wildlife. The wildlife is most active at this time of the day, so the chances are likely that your naturalist guide will be able to point out plenty of animals. After cruising the canals, you will be brought back to the lodge at approximately 8:15 am for typical Costa Rican style breakfast. Those on the one-night package will have breakfast and then prepare to leave the lodge by boat. Those on the two-day package will have the opportunity to go on a guided hike through the jungle at the lodge. Lunch will be served at 1:00 pm and then you will have the afternoon to explore on your own or relax in a hammock by the pool. In the evening, a buffet-style dinner will be served.
Those on the two-night package will wake the morning and prepare to leave. Breakfast will be served from 7:00 - 8:00 am, and then you will check out at 8:30. The boat leaves the lodge at 9:00 am, and you will retrace your steps. Again, the boat will take approximately 1 - 1.5 hours to reach the dock. If you are headed to San Jose, the drive will take another 4.5 - 5 hours including a stop for lunch on the way. If you are headed elsewhere, your travel time may vary, and lunch will not be served. Those on the three-night package will have the day to explore on their own or relax at the lodge and then the next day, depart as previously described.
The no-frills rooms at Turtle Beach Lodge are available in a variety of bed configurations. Each room has a ceiling fan, tiled floors, screened windows, and a private bathroom with hot water shower. Note that the rooms are not air conditioned and there is no television.
Notes:
You cannot drive to this hotel. If you have a rental car, you must coordinate in advance to meet with the group.
You must select the appropriate package based on the number of nights you intend to stay at the lodge.
While there is a beach, it is not advised to swim there due to strong riptides.
Latitude: N 10° 36' 15.97"
Longitude: W 83° 31' 52.11"
