My husband and I wanted an all inclusive holiday in a tropical country where we could see birds and other wildlife. Costa Rica, with its rain forests, cloud forests and coastlines on both the Caribbean and the Pacific, was our choice.
Costa Rica Expeditions organized our tour of Tortuguero National Park, Corcovado National Park, Manuel Antonio and Arenal, including all transfers by car, boat and plane.
Tortuga Lodge had it all. Helpful staff, good food and wonderful wildlife. It would be hard to find a better introduction to Costa Rica.
All-inclusive vacations at Tortuga Lodge, Costa Rica
Tortuga Lodge is a 26-bedroom hotel situated in the rain forest, on a bank of the Tortuguero Canal, a large river running into the Caribbean. There are no roads to the hotel, so access is by boat or by plane.
You can view the wildlife living in this swampy bit of the rain forest by taking boat tours or kayaking with a guide.
From July to October several varieties of turtle lay their eggs on the beaches of Tortuguero National Park. The beaches are close to the river. Jaguars have been spotted emerging from the rain forest and swimming across the river to get to the eggs or hatchlings on the beach!
Each room at the Lodge has large insect screens instead of windows. Every morning, we woke to the roaring of howler monkeys, tapping of woodpeckers, and a whole medley of birdsong.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the rate. Drinks are extra. Home made cookies and coffee are available all day (free). We found the food and the service to be excellent.
Cruising the canals in the Tortuguero National Park
On one day, with our guide and five other people, we chugged down the brown, muddy waters of the river, as if we were on The African Queen. We saw caimans, kingfishers, ospreys clutching fish, lizards running across the water on two legs, anhingas, sloths, coiled boas, spider monkeys and several varieties of heron. Our guide was knowledgeable and patient, with an eagle eye for any wildlife present in the huge trees of the rainforest bordering the river.
Rain forest trails at Tortuga Lodge
The area is very swampy so trails are short. Wellingtons are available, stored upside down on racks. We had to check that there were no snakes in the wellies. One afternoon, a guide casually knocked three small snakes out of one wellie before putting it on!
We walked in heavy rain, fighting off the mosquitoes. But we could still admire small red frogs all over the trails and watch out for crocodiles.
Returning to the Lodge, we found a large blue crab trying to take up residence in one of our shoes.
Relaxing in the gardens at Tortuga Lodge
After breakfast, when the sun is shining, the warm air is filled with birdsong, particularly the exuberant chuckles of the Montezuma Oropendolas (not to be confused with the nasty affliction often attributed to Montezuma).
As the sun gets hotter, iguanas come out of hiding and bask on the warm tiles. Humming birds hover tantalisingly over garden blooms, never staying quite long enough to be photographed. Tiger herons stalk stealthily down the landing stage, peering into the water next to the boats. Howlers investigate the leaves in nearby treetops. The Oropendolas congregate in their favourite palm tree and entertain you with acrobatic displays of their golden tails.
Later, towards sunset, the toucans cry forlornly from across the river. And, as the sun sets and the moon rises, the frogs, toads and geckos begin their evening chorus.
Costa Rica’s biodiversity
This is due to its location in Central America and its topography. Costa Rica is the meeting point of the flora and fauna of North America with that of South America .
About 25% of the land contains national parks and protected areas, a high percentage for any one country, but frighteningly small in this tiny country to do the job of protecting all that wonderful flora and fauna. (Think 50 miles by 100 miles.) But, Costa Ricans are committed to preserving their unique environment.
When to visit Costa Rica
December to April is the dry season, but the climate is affected by the bordering oceans, the proximity to the equator and the mountain ranges, including active volcanoes. In February, we had sunshine and showers in the Tortuguero NP, unbroken sun along the Pacific coast and heavy rain in Arenal. This seems typical.
Why go to Tortuga Lodge?
The Lodge is owned and run by Costa Rica Expeditions, who were our agents for this vacation. They transported us around the country in boats, 5-seater planes and motor vehicles.
The food and service at Tortuga Lodge were the best of the whole trip. Managers and staff ensured that customers had everything they wanted. They even set up a romantic dinner by candle light in the gardens for one couple. But the restaurant is right next to the river, and watching the light of a full moon ripple across the river was romantic enough for us.
Check Tortuga Lodge for an excellent video and current rates.
Why take an all-inclusive holiday in Costa Rica?
There are many beautiful places to visit. Why go to Costa Rica? As always, it depends upon what you want.
Costa Rica is unique. Its wildlife, especially bird and plant life, is spectacular. The people are friendly, knowledgeable and committed to their wonderful country. We had the vacation of a lifetime.
Our all inclusive holiday meant that Costa Rica Expeditions transported us everywhere. We did not want to drive. Although distances are not vast, driving for several hours on cross-country roads can be tiring. The best way to travel is by plane. Departing from and landing on tiny airstrips next to lagoons or the rain forest is a real adventure. And no 2 or 3 hours check in procedures. You arrive, get on the plane, and fly.
We will certainly visit Costa Rica again. Pura Vida!
Kris Ramasra - I hope to inform and entertain readers joyfully, sincerely and with integrity.
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