What it's like
Laguna Lodge sits on a thin strip of land in Tortuguero, with the lagoon on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. It opened in 1990 and has grown bit by bit into one of the bigger lodges in the area, so it feels more like a small village than a boutique hotel. Costa Rica Journeys has its own Laguna Lodge write-up if you'd like a second look.
The 110 rooms are wooden and simple, with the basics you need after a long day on the water. They're spread through large tropical gardens, where you'll often see birds, iguanas and butterflies without leaving the grounds. The lodge also has a botanical garden with trails and a frog pond where you can get a close look at red-eyed tree frogs.
Meals are served buffet style 3 times a day at the main restaurant on the riverbank. The main bar has a deck over the water, which is a good spot at sunset, and there are 2 more bars by the pools.
Tours from the lodge
Tortuguero has no roads, so almost everything happens by boat or on foot with a guide. The lodge runs its own fleet of boats and organizes the usual Tortuguero outings:
- Early morning boat trips through the canals of Tortuguero National Park, about 2 hours, looking for monkeys, caimans, birds and sloths
- Guided kayak trips on the quieter canals
- A walk up Cerro Tortuguero, the only hill for miles around
- The Jaguar Trail, a guided hike through the park's forest near the beach
- A guided visit to Tortuguero village, reached by a short boat ride
- Night turtle nesting walks from July 1 to October 31, plus hatchling beach walks from September to November
Because the lodge has direct beach access, you can also walk the beach on your own during hatching season.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
It suits first-time visitors, families and groups who like having transfers, meals and tours bundled together. Many guests come on a 2 or 3 night package and never have to plan a thing.
If you want a small, quiet place with only a handful of rooms, or a fancy room, this probably isn't it. Rooms are basic, and with 110 of them the lodge can feel busy at peak times.
Getting there
There are no roads into Tortuguero. Most people travel from San José by road to a river dock and then by boat through the canals, and the lodge's own boats handle that last stretch for guests. You can also fly into the small Tortuguero airstrip. The lodge can help with either option. Our guide to getting around Costa Rica covers the route in more detail, and Costa Rica without a car helps if you're relying on shuttles.
Where it fits in a trip
Two or three nights is the usual stay. Tortuguero pairs well with the southern Caribbean coast around Cahuita and Puerto Viejo, or with a stop in Sarapiquí on the way to Arenal. See our 2-week itinerary for one way to fit it in.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive to Laguna Lodge?
No. Tortuguero has no roads. You arrive by boat or by small plane, and the lodge runs its own boats.
How many rooms does Laguna Lodge have?
110 wooden rooms spread through the gardens.
Is the lodge on the beach?
It sits between the lagoon and the Caribbean Sea and has direct beach access. The waves on this dark-sand beach are powerful, so the pools are the easier place for a swim.
When can you see turtles nesting?
The lodge runs night nesting walks from July 1 to October 31. Hatchlings usually reach the sea between September and November.
Are meals included?
Meals are served buffet style 3 times a day at the riverside restaurant. Check with the lodge which meals your package covers.
