Costa Rica Expeditions owns the thatched riverside lodge, surrounded by lush lawns, orchids, and tropical trees and renowned for its tarpon and snook fishing. The second-largest tarpon ever caught in Costa Rica, weighing 182 pounds, was reeled in here in 1987. The bedrooms are comfortable, with fans, mosquito blinds, and hot water. A couple of short hiking trails form the property lead into the nearby jungle, where you might see bright-red poison dart frogs and other critters. Considering most of the restaurant ingredients are flown in, the chefs do an excellent job producing voluminous quantities of hearty, well-prepared food.
Most guests come as part of a tour.
Tortuga Lodge was the first nature lodge in this area. Architecturally, it has expanded in a tasteful, harmonious way, and maintains its tradition of excellent service. A new riverside dinning room adds special tone to the atmosphere. The whole Tortuga Lodge operation received a face-lift in 1997, which include the construction of a large new dining room and bar that fronts Tortuguero's main canal. The nicest feature here is the long multilevel deck, where you can sit and dine, sip a cool tropical drink, or just take in the view as the water laps against the docks at your feet.