Caribbean Coast
Laguna Lodge
Founded in 1990, this pleasant wildlife lodge is located on a strip of land facing Tortuguero lagoon and only 200m from the main turtle nesting beach (no swimming allowed). The lodge sits within 14 acres of beautiful gardens and wooded grounds, home to an abundance of fauna and flora.
Laguna Lodge has 80 simple wooden bedrooms in small blocks scattered throughout the grounds and connected by an extensive path system. All are equipped with a private hot water bathroom, ceiling fan, reading light, safety deposit box and small veranda.
Much of the main lodge has been skilfully constructed using wood found on the beach. The open-sided buffet restaurant overlooking the lagoon serves tasty local and international cuisine, and tea, coffee and biscuits are available 24 hours a day. Other facilities include two bars, a swimming pool, small gift shop and communal lounge area.
The main attraction of the area is the fantastic Tortuguero National Park. The park is a heavily forested alluvial plain with many inland waterways. It contains a great abundance and variety of wildlife, especially monkeys, sloths and frogs and 309 bird species have been recorded. The local beach is an internationally important nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles which can be watched after sunset between mid-July and October.
Facilities
Private bathrooms, hot water, ceiling fan, safety deposit box, 24 hour tea and coffee facilities, hammocks, restaurant, two bars, swimming pool, lounge, small gift shop, currency exchange and laundry service.
Local Wildlife
Green and hawksbill turtles nest between mid-July and October. Three- (diurnal) and two-toed (nocturnal) sloths, mantled howler and white-faced capuchin monkeys, crab-eating racoons, spectacled caiman, basilisk lizards, iguanas and a huge diversity of birds.
Optional Activities
Guided walks and wildlife watching in Tortuguero National Park, kayaking and boat trips on the waterways.
John Melton
Area Specialist
Wake early and head to the beach at first light, even out of the normal turtle season. With luck, you may still see a hawksbill turtle laying its eggs, or hatchlings returning to the sea. Whilst you’re there, look out for fresh jaguar prints – they also come here looking for turtles at night. Do NOT swim in the sea, however inviting it may look: there are dangerous rip currents.
If you have any questions regarding our Costa Rica tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
This is the second trip with reef and Rainforest and it certainly met all of our expectations. (Your representatives) were excellent as were all the lodges generally. There was a good balance of organised tours and time to ourselves – this was just what we wanted. Your choice of locations in Costa Rica was again excellent sharing your local knowledge and expertise and assessing what we wanted. Thank you very much for your help and organisation. We look forward to using you again and will happily recommend you.
