Laguna Lodge ★★★

"Set between the canal and the ocean, this hotel is only accessible by boat. It is also in the rain forest so humidity is very high. The rooms are in blocks around very nice gardens with wildlife all around. There are a couple of pools set in the gardens with towels provided. It is a very short walk to the beach but do not go into the sea and there is the chance of crocodiles and sting rays, we were advised to avoid the sea but to enjoy the beach. The rooms are clean and comfortable and there is mosquito netting up at all the windows. The rooms are reasonably basic, but we are in the rain forest - so don't expect air conditioning in the rooms. There is a big fan. The restaurant was very good and all our meals were a good variety. Drinks are a little expensive, but that is the case in most of Costa Rica. The tours from the hotel are amazing. The staff were very friendly and welcoming - we would recommend this hotel."

Hotel El Icaco Tortuguero ★★

"I really enjoyed my stay at this hotel. It is perfectly located in front of the sea, by the beach (you cannot swim there and they remind you so) away from the nice little village so it is very quiet. I had to change my booking date and they didn't charge me the extra night. They also come to welcome you at the dock to get you to the hotel, which is great service. The rooms are basic but with fan and good wifi to book the park entrance! The staff is super friendly and makes the stay extra special. I did the canoa tour with Roberto and it was great, he knew his stuff. Highly recommended. They also explained to us how to walk in the park and get to the Cerro Tortuguero, which is a must to see the sea, river and canals from up. The walk up is very easy, actually you climb stairs. Very recommended to get a real feel of Tortuguero and Costa RIca."

Pachira Lodge ★★★

"Two night stop on an OAT trour We had to take a boat for one hour and 40 minutes on a most comfortable fast ride, with lots of birds viewed along the way. The waterway is a sort of inner passageway connecting the 10 rivers to the sea (no cars just boats for transportation). The town (if you can identify it as such is located across the river from the lodge on a spit of sandy soil about 5,000 ft long, and this is where many of the workers at the lodge(s) live. Back in the 1950’s this area was heavily logged, and the rivers and some man-made canals were dug to float / transport the logs. These waterways today are what are used to reach all the scattered resorts and transport locals between their homes by boat. The lodge is right on the water (and the water is high today as the ten rivers that dump into this area are swollen with lots of rainwater over the previous three days. No rain today, rather sunny broken clouds on our bot trip and arrival under 78 F temps. The lodge has 94 rooms of accommodation. The resort was originally created 25 years ago but after becoming part of the national park it cannot increase in size, but management can update any of the existing structures. The rooms do not have TV or air conditioning, rather a nice overhead fan that keeps the air moving. Screens only are on all the windows, with the sound of critter outside (the sound of the holler monkeys is quite noticeable). They tell us if the sun becomes predominant during the day, temps can get up to the mid 80’s this time of the year at the end of the rainy season. Today it had to be close to that point! There is a very nice pool next to the bar, and comfortable chairs all around. All the paths between accommodations are level and paved along with the nice nature walk into the jungle. The resort has many large umbrellas for guests to use at no cost, and Tom, “the Gimp” is using one of them to his advantage as a walking stick (right kneecap area still hurts) Giving this accommodation a 4.3 Hinge rating for the room as it sure could use air conditioning just to knock down the room humidity. At night we had to turn off the overhead fan and add two blankets to the bed. The lodge is located only minutes from the main entrance to Tortuguero National Park by boat and is surrounded by great winding canals and lush jungle. They call this area the “region of turtles”, only because the vast Caribbean beach shoreline. we went on a critter walk around the property and through the jungle. Observed a total of 6 sloths including one baby close to the ground and LOTS of noisy holler monkeys, crabs, and one skinny armadillo."

Pura Natura Riverside ★★

Mawamba Lodge ★★★

"The rooms were very simple but ok. It was just sleeping ...but very uncomfortable kiss. At breakfast I had expected more. The food in the restaurant was a little overpriced. For a small leaves salad about 9Euro. The plant was beautiful ...has charm."

Caribbean Paradise Eco-Lodge ★★★

"We stayed at this location for two nights and had a great time; lots of beautiful colorful birds and wonderful silence, except for the sounds of the jungle and the howler monkeys in the distance, though occasionally taxi boats speeding past! The lodge has no windows but mosquito nets, so you are truly close to nature! Milene, the owner, picked us up in San José and guided us to Tortuguero, where we were welcomed upon arrival by Bismarck. We had a lovely stay! We did two excursions: one boat trip and a tour of the town of Tortuguero, both with the guide. The beds were very good, the shower fine, and the food simple but tasty! And truly Costa Rican."

Hotel Serendipity Tortuguero ★★

"Such helpful staff and really spacious, clean rooms. No request was too much, they solved problems we needed help with and made really good dinner too! Thank you all for a great experience."

Tortuga Lodge ★★★★

"Just the journey to Tortuguero is exciting, you either need to fly in on a small plane or arrive by boat. We felt very well looked after at every point of our stay, the staff were lovely. Lots of trip options, all worth going on. It rained quite a lot and we were out of turtle season but the wildlife did not disappoint. What a privilege to see it all. The food was excellent and the rooms lovely with a view over the water and in our case, a toucan perched directly outside."

Casa Marbella ★★

"Lovely relaxed accommodation with a beautiful deck overlooking the river and right in the centre of town. The staff are friendly and helpful and the rooms are comfortable with air conditioning. We booked 3 tours through the accommodation and had a wonderful time on each one seeing a huge amount of wildlife. Breakfast is tasty, if simple. Rooms by the reception are a little nosiy in the morning but it was a great place to stay."