A new name for La Baula Lodge
When we first wrote about this place in 2014, it was La Baula Lodge, a simple, colorful lodge run by the Valverde family on the water in Tortuguero. The family has since renamed it Valverde Glamping & Ecolodge, and the old La Baula web address now points to the new name. The phone line our 2014 page listed is still one of the lodge's contact numbers. We rechecked it in October 2026, when its site was current and taking bookings.
Costa Rica Journeys still has its original write-up of La Baula Lodge if you're curious how it looked back then.
What it's like
The lodge faces Tortuguero Lagoon, inside the rainforest that surrounds Tortuguero National Park. It has 2 kinds of stay.
The standard rooms are the simpler option: wood finishes, air conditioning and Wi-Fi, in economy doubles, two-bed rooms and family rooms that sleep up to 5. The glamping suites are the bigger change since our first visit. They're safari-style tents with solid, air-conditioned interiors, sliding glass doors and a private deck with a plunge pool and hammock. The largest, the Laguna suite, sits right on the lagoon with its own bigger pool.
The restaurant and the cocktail bar both look out over the lagoon. The kitchen mixes Costa Rican, Caribbean and international dishes, with vegetarian and vegan options and a kids' menu, and it can set up private dinners on the dock.
Tours from the lodge
The lodge runs small-group tours with local guides:
- Early morning motorboat trips through the park's canals, good for families and photographers
- Kayak and canoe trips on the narrower canals
- The Jaguar Trail, a guided rainforest hike that runs parallel to the beach
- Hikes up Tortuguero hill and visits to Tortuguero village
- Turtle nesting tours in season, roughly July to October
The lodge also sells packages, including birding and photography stays with full board.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
It suits couples who want something a bit more private than the big package lodges, and families who like having a pool deck to come back to. The glamping suites are the reason to choose it if you want a treat. If you just need a bed between tours, the standard rooms keep things simple.
Like everywhere in Tortuguero, the trip in takes time, and you'll spend your days on guided outings rather than wandering off on your own.
Getting there
Most guests drive or take a shuttle from San José to La Pavona dock, about 2 hours away, then ride a boat through the canals for about 1.5 to 2 hours straight to the lodge's dock. The lodge sells boat tickets on its site. You can also fly from San José to the Tortuguero airstrip in about 30 minutes and arrange a pickup. Our getting around Costa Rica guide explains both routes, and the Caribbean Coast guide covers what's south of here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Valverde Glamping & Ecolodge the same place as La Baula Lodge?
Yes. It's the same family-run lodge in Tortuguero under a new name.
Do the glamping suites have their own pools?
Yes. The jungle glamping suites and the Laguna suite each have a private plunge pool on the deck.
How do you get to the lodge?
By boat from La Pavona dock, which goes directly to the lodge's dock, or by small plane to Tortuguero with a pickup.
Can the lodge book turtle tours?
Yes. It arranges guided turtle nesting tours during the season, roughly July to October.
