Turtle Beach Lodge, Tortuguero NP

After going to Laguna Lodge twice, I wanted to try something different but also stay on the beach which I liked at Laguna, and thus I searched several hotel websites and decided to try Turtle Beach Lodge, Tortuguero (lodge website link). I was pleased with my new choice of a slightly smaller hotel meaning a little more personal service than Laguna and they have their own private canals along with all the public canals to explore. One of the guides paddled a canoe through those close canals while I focused on photographing birds. Nice. Plus their grounds are good to explore, though cabins are similar to Laguna, very basic and “camp-like.” I’m not sure I remember the difference in the food, if any. I enjoyed my stay there and I WOULD RETURN AGAIN . . .

A beautiful beach for volleyball, walking and limited swimming.

Likes

  • Being on the beach. Not white sand or good for swimming, but for visuals and walking or playing volleyball or using a hammock. Relaxing!
  • Their wildness and own private canals.
  • Helpful guides and good tours.

Dislikes

  • Nothing bad. But I have since then, I’ve been to Tortuga Lodge and I’m kind of spoiled for the much better rooms and food. 🙂

Nature & Activities

  • Excellent location for lots of birds and other nature on their grounds.
  • Tortuguero Canal Tours, more than one a day, plus when I was there, a night tour for different wildlife.
  • Tortuguero Downtown Tour which all the lodges offer (once was enough for me) but you must do it on your first visit!
  • Chocuaco Trail on lodge property for birding alone or with guide.
  • Kayak in the Laguna Cuatro lagoon (maybe only lodge there).
  • Canoes you can use for free in their private canals.
  • And someone canoed me while I photographed birds in front of the canoe. Nice! 🙂

Rooms & Food

  • Basic rooms and food which was all fine but not gourmet food.
Plain and simple but clean and comfortable.

Getting There

  • My 2019 trip there was my first time ever to fly to Tortuguero and is probably what I will do on all future trips. Arrange through FlySansa. Tell the lodge your flight schedule and they will pick you up at the airport or landing strip in a boat.
  • Like all of the major lodges, they will pick you up at any hotel in San Jose or near the airport and take you to the boat dock the other side of Guapiles for your floating trip to the lodge. That is the most common way for most tourists to go.
  • You can also get directions to the boat dock and drive yourself there with safe parking for your car. Tortuguero is on the water, thus no roads go all the way there.
Landing at the Tortuguero Airport

My Trip Gallery

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My Photo Book on Turtle Beach & Laguna Lodges

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¡Pura Vida!

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Flying over Tortuga Village to the landing strip.

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