Tortuguero National Park: Tours and Hotel

Begin Your Vacation in Costa Rica on the Caribbean:
3 Days with Full Board & Guided Tours from 250$ p.p.

Hotel | Itinerary | Reservation

Your Itinerary

Day 1: San José - Tortuguero

A minibus will pick you up at your hotel at 6:15 am. Departure for the Tortuguero National Park, one of the best known nature reserves of Costa Rica. On the way you will drive through Braulio Carillo National Park and be able to witness how the vegetation changes: from the Central Valley's temperate climate you proceed to the Caribbean lowlands, with its lush and green palmtrees. In Braulio Carillo you also have a chance to take a look at the strangely bi-colored Rio Sucio (see image).

Breakfast on the way (Restaurant Selva Tropical) is included: enjoy a typical breakfast with tropical fruit and fresh coffee after arriving in the lowlands. After continuing your trip you pass many banana plantations, one of which you will be able to visit. After a short break in Pavona you board a motor boat.

Ride through the canals of Tortuguero by boat to your lodge. On the way, you will already be able to catch first glimpses of the flora and fauna of the Caribbean tropics. Next to countless birds species, sloths and monkeys, you might even spot a caiman or crocodile. At 12 noon you will be welcomed with a cocktail at the Samoa Lodge before lunch is served.

In the afternoon a sightseeing of the village Tortuguero and the local turtle museum is included (excl. museum admission of 1$). If you prefer, you can relax on the lodge's quaint property, swim in the pool or explore the canals on your own with a canoe.

In the evening, food is served in the lodge's rancho, where you can enjoy a drink at the bar before or after dinner.

Day 2: Tortuguero: National Park Boat Tour / Jungle- & Night Hike

The day starts with a boat trip through the Tortuguero National Park in the early morning. At daybreak the boat will pick you up directly at the lodge to see the animal world at its awakening. On the 2-hour trip through the water canals you will spot a great many animals. Being in the water you get great views into the jungle canopy and you are able to spot more wildlife than on usual forest excursions. The aviary life is magnificient, consisting of many various water fowl, parrots and toucans. You should also be able to see sloths, monkeys and bats in the trees. A bit more difficult to spot are the rare manatees, which live in these canals.

After the excursion breakfast is served at the lodge. The rest of the morning is at your free disposal. Swim in the pool, make a stroll through the lodge's private jungle premises or paddle through the canals individually.

After lunch you can go on a further excursion (included in the price). At 3 pm the boat picks you up to explore the rainforest at Gavilon and the local beach on foot (2 hours). Thanks to the company of a competent natural guide you will get to know the local plants and wildlife and learn new things about the tropical ecosystem.

After the tour you can relax in the hotel premises until dinner is served.

Before dinner, there is the opportunity to make a guided night hike (approx. 1 hour) through the lodge's hotel. That way, you can discover the wildlife on the landside of Tortugueros canals as well. (You can make this tour on day 1 if you prefer.)

Day 3: Tortuguero - San José (or alternative destination)

Enjoy your breakfast at the lodge and relax until the boat picks you up at the hotel dock to drop you off at Pavona. From Pavona, an individual transfer (by minibus) back to San José is included in the price.

If you wish, we can also deliver a rental car (delivery without additional charge) with which you can continue your Costa Rican vacation individually (the car is delivered to the Restaurant Selva Tropical, where your private transfer can drop you off). Ask for an rental car offer at the bottom of our booking form.

Lunch at the restaurant Selva Tropical is included.

If your trip does not continue to San José, the driver can also drop you off at a desired place on the route back.

Your Hotel in Tortuguero: Samoa Lodge

Since the Samoa Lodge is located directly in the jungle you will be able to see and hear the widlife. Your wake-up call in the morning might come from howler monkeys. Due to the hotel's direct situation at the canals of Tortuguero, you are directly at the water (and the lodge's canoes are at your disposition for free). There are paths of approx. 1.5 km length on the premises for you to individually explore the local nature.

The lodge has 20 rooms and is therefore able to provide you a very personal service. The Caribbean-style bungalows are allotted throughout the garden and a swimming pool is also provided. All rooms have private baths, minibar and safes. Private transfer to Tortuguero from San José is included in the price and organized by the lodge.

• Samoa Lodge website

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Images from Tortuguero

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