At a Glance
| Tortuga Lodge & Gardens | Manatus Hotel | Mawamba Lodge | |
| Best For | Upscale jungle experience | Quiet tranquility | Relaxed vibes |
| Pros |
Waterfront lodge on a private nature reserve The open-air restaurant is fine dining with a wine cellar Outdoor pool & sun deck on the river Complimentary afternoon coffee & tea |
Rooms sit in cabin-like clusters in the property's garden Outdoor pool with showers overlooking the river Private outdoor patios near the pool
|
Within walking distance from Tortuga Town Outdoor pool with a bar Extensive gardens with a waterfront terrace & hammock lounge Creole-inspired on-site restaurant |
| Cons | Farthest hotel from the town | No nature walk included | No air conditioning, outdated bathrooms |
| Budget Tier | $$ | $$ | $$ |
| Authenticity | **** | **** | *** |
| Location | ** | *** | ***** |
| Rooms & Bathrooms | **** | **** | *** |
| Other Highlights | A villa option with a private pool & terrace | Gourmet restaurant with a la carte options | Enjoy a "floating meal" on the river |
Tortuga Lodge & Gardens
Visited by kimkim staff 
Although a remote area, you can still get a bit of upscale luxury with Tortuga Lodge & Gardens. Set between two lagoons, the property features 29 rooms (some with air conditioning) lining the shores and grounds, including a private nature reserve sprawling over 70 acres. As you near Tortuga Lodge, you can't miss the colorful, Victorian-style, two-story room blocks with balconies and wraparound porches.
You'll have your choice of standard rooms, suites, and an exclusive villa. Standard rooms and suites sit on the river's edge, and all units have pillow-top beds, private patios or balconies, views of the lagoon, and screened windows (so you can enjoy the Caribbean breeze and sounds of the jungle). If you choose the standalone villa, you'll have a private entrance, waterfront terrace, and plunge pool all to yourself.
The main highlight of the lodge is its fantastic Green Turtle Restaurant, an open-air, fine-dining eatery overlooking the river, serving modern Costa Rican Caribbean dishes via exclusive chefs. So, although you're in the middle of the remote jungle, your taste buds can still delight in local ingredients, producing elevated versions of traditional Costa Rican, Caribbean, and African dishes. Most accommodations in the area serve standard buffets, so this exceptional restaurant (along with the property's wine cellar) is a unique amenity.
Tortuga uses local producers to source about 50% of its food, so you know you're eating and drinking well. You can even request a cooking class with the chef to learn more about the Caribbean cooking style in the area. Other lodge highlights include an all-day coffee station, 70 acres of wilderness with outdoor walking paths, and an outdoor pool.
Read kimkim's review of Tortuga Lodge & Gardens
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Manatus Hotel
Visited by kimkim staff 
Manatus Hotel is a mid-range property on the peninsula between the Tortuguero's two lagoons. A tranquil experience, Manatus only has 12 units, each within clusters of four cabins sitting in the forest and back from the water's edge. Instead of wooden huts or room blocks, the hotel has quaint cabin-like houses with modern and comfortable amenities. Enjoy wooden floors, beds, decor, and high-beamed ceilings. A perk for some, the entire property is air-conditioned (so keep in mind that you can't open the windows for that Caribbean breeze) using an efficient cooling system.
Although the rooms aren't waterfront and don't offer lagoon views, you can still enjoy the beautiful canal from common areas, like the outdoor swimming pool and open-air restaurant, Ara Macaw. The restaurant cooks meals a la carte rather than just serving a buffet, which is unique to the area. The menu features Afro-Caribbean fusion food plus different international cuisines.
As the name suggests, Manatus Hotel also promotes the protection of endangered manatees in the region through a signature program.
Read kimkim's review of Manatus Hotel
Mawamba Lodge
Visited by kimkim staff 
Mawamba Lodge contains 60 rooms across sprawling gardens extending from Tortuguero's lagoon to the Caribbean Sea. Wooden lodges feature porches with hammocks, trendy wooden accents, and plushy king, queen, or single beds (depending on room choice). Enjoy the Caribbean breeze through the netted windows, but keep in mind that only some rooms have views of the lagoons, and the bathrooms feel a bit dated.
The grounds include an outdoor pool area and a buffet restaurant serving Creole-inspired cuisine. If you're looking for a unique highlight to make your stay in Tortuguero extra memorable, you can dine at the lodge's "floating" restaurant. Book a table in advance to enjoy your dinner while drifting on the lagoon!
There's plenty to enjoy at Mawamba Lodge. Still, one of the property's biggest perks is its proximity to Tortuguero Town and the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum (just a 15- to 20-minute walk). It's also accessible to the beach, which you can visit with a guide to watch the turtles hatch during the hatching season. Most area accommodations require a boat ride to get to town, so this is definitely a highlight.
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