FAQs

Where is Tortuga Lodge located?

Tortuga Lodge is located on the north east coast of Costa Rica, 47.5 KM or 29.5 miles from the Nicaraguan border. The Lodge sits on the river bank directly across from an airstrip. It is 1 mile from the mouth of the Tortuguero River and about a ten-minute boat ride from the town.

You cannot drive to Tortuguero because there are no roads; the only way to get there is by a combination of bus and boat or domestic flight.

The Tortuguero region covers a total of 31,174 hectares or 77,032 acres. The lodge sits on the river bank directly across from the airstrip and 2 KMS or 1 mile from the mouth of the Tortuguero River.

How do I get to Tortuga Lodge?

Tortuga Lodge & Gardens is only accessible by boat or plane. Boat transportation needs to be pre-reserved with our reservation department with a minimum of 2 business days prior to arrival. We offer once daily shared boat transportation departing Caño Blanco only at 10:30am. If needed, we can pre-arrange a later boat with departure from Caño Blanco no later than 3:00pm.

Option 1: Land and boat transfer from San Jose or other destinations can be arrange with Tortuga Lodge.

Option 2: Drive by your own to the Caño Blanco dock (parking area is available at additional cost) and use the Tortuga Lodge & Gardens boat transfer. This boat departs at 10:30am.

Option 3: Fly from San José or other destinations. Local flights are available from San José, Fortuna, and Limón. Tortuga Lodge can assist you booking a private flight with Xplore Air by Böëna.

Click here to Learn more about how to get to Tortuga Lodge

How long does it take to get to Tortuga Lodge from San José?

Depending on your hotel and traffic, it will take between 3.5 to 4 hours.

For guests visiting Tortuga Lodge & Gardens in Tortuguero, we highly recommend taking an in-country flight from /to San Jose International Airport. The flight is only 25 minutes and lands directly across the canal from our lodge. On the contrary, traveling by land and passenger boat will take five or more hours.

Flight options: Choose from Böëna’s executive-configured Cessna Caravan private charter service—Xplore Air, or a national provider such as SANSA.

What to pack

• 3light shirts- short sleeve light long sleeve for protection from the sun
• 1pair of light pants- the ones with zip off legs are great
• 1 pair of shorts
• Swim suit
• Cover up for the pool
• Flip flops
• Close toed shoes for hikes. You will probably use rubber boots, which will be made available to you at the lodge. We have sizes ranging from a child’s 11 to an adult’s 13.
• Wide brimmed hat
• Rain gear
• Binoculars (8×42) recommended, 7×32 minimum.
• Your camera, charger and extra memory cards
• Field guide
• Something to read
• Journal
• Toiletries
• Meds
• Sunscreen
• Insect Repellent

Does Tortuga Lodge offer onsite staff 24 hours?

In case of emergency, our resident manager can be contacted 24 hours a day and our security staff are available 24 hours.

Are your facilities non- smoking?

All the facilities and grounds at Tortuga Lodge including our suites and rooms, restaurant, swimming pool area and gardens are non-smoking.

Who can participate in the activities?

Any person who is physically fitted .

Does your lodge cater to families with small children?

Tortuga Lodge is the perfect destination for a family holiday, with great variety of nature, cultural and wildlife experiences for small children. There is no minimum age to visit our lodge , however please note that some activities must be booked on private basis for children ages 7 or less.

How long in advance should I book my trip?

The sooner the better! Mid-December through Mid -April are particularly busy as well as July- September , so at least two in advance is highly recommended.

What is the weather like?

In Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest it is best to be prepared for all kinds of weather. In general, expect most mornings to be sunny and clear followed by rain showers in the afternoon. During the day the weather will be hot and humid with temperatures in the mid to upper 80’s (28 – 30 C). Evenings are usually clear

What is the recommended length of stay at Tortuga Lodge?

We have had guests stay as long as a week. Our Tortuguero Jungle Expedition Package includes 5 unique experiences (Natural History Boat Tour, Kayaking the Mystical Canals of Tortuguero National Park , Hiking Cerro Tortuguero, The Twilight Tour of Tortuga Lodge Private Reserve and a Journey into the History and Culture of Tortuguero) included during your stay.

A minimum of three nights is recommended to truly enjoy the destination.

What is included in the Tortuguero Jungle Expedition Package?

Every Tortuguero Jungle Experience Package Includes: Roundtrip boat transportation Caño Blanco Dock at scheduled time, accommodation , 5 experiences included during your stay (Natural History Boat Tour, Kayaking the Mystical Canals of Tortuguero National Park , Hiking Cerro Tortuguero, The Twilight Tour of Tortuga Lodge Private Reserve and a Journey into the History and Culture of Tortuguero), daily a la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner, afternoon coffee with delicious homemade pastry.

What types of meals are provided at the lodge? Do you cater to guests with special meal requirements?

If you have read any of our guest comments, you will have quickly noticed that our meals are very highly regarded. This is not by accident, as we have put much effort and expense into the quality of the food we purchase and the training of our local chefs.

All our meals are served at our Green Turtle Restaurant. We offer a la carte menu featuring authentic Costa Rican Caribbean dishes and fusion specialties crafted with passion and creativity and fresh, local ingredients.

With advanced notice we can usually fulfil most special meal requests. So, if you are a vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten free or require a special meal, please let our sales representative know at the time of your booking.

Food Allergy and Food Intolerance

While we do our best to reduce the risk of cross-contamination in our restaurant and food service, we cannot guarantee that any of our dishes are free from allergens and therefore cannot accept any liability in this respect. Guests with severe allergies are advised to assess their own level of risk and consume dishes at their own risk.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

A superior selection of wines from around the world may be purchased from our wine cellar. Additionally, our bar includes a nice variety of spirits and liquors that may be purchased separately.

Will I be able to do laundry during my trip?

Tortuga Lodge offers laundry service at an additional charge.

Does my room have hot water?

Yes, we have solar-heated water and a gas water-heating system backup in all our rooms

Is it safe to drink the water from the tap?

Yes. Our tap water is tested periodically to ensure its quality. We do not sell or provide plastic bottled water.

What happens if I need to cancel my tour?

Please go to our Terms & Conditions section for detailed information on trip cancellations.

Is there air conditioning in the rooms?

All room categories at Tortuga Lodge feature an eco-efficient AC.