Laguna Lodge

"We enjoyed our stay at Laguna Lodge, the grounds were beautiful and the gorgeous beach was just a stone's throw away. The room was quite basic, it was very hot and we struggled a bit with just a fan, however the pools, bars and restaurant were very good. The bars served the best Pina Coladas we've ever had! Be prepared for some geckos in your room (they are harmless and they'll help keep the mozzie numbers down!) and possibly a creepy crawly or two. Take a walk around the grounds after dark with a torch (don't forget to top up your mozzie repellent before you do!), you will find loads of toads by the pool, hear frogs in the trees, and if you walk through the butterfly garden you might spot a red eyed tree frog! Being in the rainforest, it is very loud during the night, I would recommend bringing ear plugs if you're a light sleeper. I cannot begin to explain how fantastic the boat tours are, I got up for the 5.30am tour and also the 8.30am tour and had what I would consider to be one of the best days of my life! The amount of birds and animals we saw was unreal, it was such a magical experience. Our boat driver (I can't remember his real name, I want to say Jacan but we all called him Eagle Eyes!) was brilliant, he spotted so much wildlife and was so lovely. Our tour guide during our stay at Laguna Lodge was Sebastian, he was so helpful and was such a great guy!"

Hotel El Icaco Tortuguero

"I loved my stay at this hotel and it was great value. The hotel is a short walk from the centre of town, but this means that it’s really quiet at night and you go to sleep with just the sound of the sea. (Be warned - swimming not allowed here because of dangerous tides. The food was great and the staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. It was possible to book all the tours and transfers I wanted, including seeing the turtles laying their eggs at night, through the hotel. I had a very big room all to myself which has both air-conditioning and the ceiling fan. There is a small pool and one afternoon. I have time to have my siesta by the pool while a flock of the rare green macaws circled above. Pura Vida!"

Pachira Lodge

"We have just returned from travelling across Costa Rica. Our first stay was at the Pachira Lodge. We had an amazing time. The lodge is in a beautiful place and was well maintained. All of the staff were so lovely and extremely helpful. There was plenty of variety of local food in the restaurant. Whilst there we had a fantastic guide, Ray Salazar, who took us out into the National Park, to Tortuguero and Turtle Hill. He also oversaw our transfers. He was really amazing, sharing his extensive knowledge of nature and an obvious passion for the flora and fauna around us. He was never 'off duty' always pointing out things of interest and answering questions. We can highly recommend it!"

Hotel Serendipity Tortuguero

"Tortuguero was our first stop in Costa Rica. The welcome from the staff at Hotel Serendipity was amazing. They met us off the public boat with a warm welcome and took our bags to the hotel. It’s more 6 apartments than a hotel but the rooms are amazing. Very modern, super clean. What sets this place apart in addition to the great rooms are the staff. They are absolutely lovely - especially the women who made our breakfast and dinner. Nothing was too much trouble and unlike some places the warmth and friendliness appeared genuine. This was our first stop in Costa Rica and it truly made us happy that we had picked this hotel. Don’t hesitate when booking, just book it you won’t be disappointed."

Pura Natura Riverside

Mawamba Lodge

"Beautiful place, nice pool.perfect for family. The staff worked and service was good"

Hotel Suerre

Tortuga Lodge

"This was the most disappointing experience of our trip. While the location and ground staff are great, the management is exploitative and the "Spa" standards are appalling. 1. DECEPTIVE SPA & GROSS NEGLIGENCE: Do not be misled by the word "Spa." It is an empty room with two tables—no shower, no water, no facilities. Even worse was the massage: the therapist had long nails (a major hygiene and safety violation) and was scrolling on her phone with one hand while massaging me with the other. When reported, the reception was cold and dismissive. They simply do not care about professional standards or guest safety. 2. EXPLOITATIVE BILLING: We had a guest cancel for health reasons. The management’s response? Total greed. They forced us to pay the full price for all 3 nights for a person who wasn't there—charging us for 3 days of "all-inclusive" meals never eaten, excursions never taken, and even the extra bed fee. This is not hospitality; it is a "take the money and run" strategy. 3. UNACCEPTABLE FRONT DESK: The receptionist this evening was insulting in her indifference. No empathy, no solution, just a cold attitude that clearly signaled our satisfaction was irrelevant. 4. THE ONLY REDEEMING FACTOR: It is a tragedy that excellent staff like Luis (waiter), our brilliant guide Luis Torres, and the housekeeping team work for such a poorly managed establishment. They deserve better than a management that treats guests as mere bank accounts. FINAL WARNING: This lodge is a tourist trap hiding behind premium prices. You are not a guest here; you are a transaction. With so many ethical and professional lodges in Tortuguero, do not waste your money here. You will regret the lack of respect and the substandard service."

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."