Pachira Lodge

Very well situated for turtle activities and the national park. Transfer was very smooth and staff extremely helpful. Food was okay. Hotel pool and bar was lovely. Staff were all lovely and extremely helpful. Huge amounts of wildlife to see, it is magical!!

My journey started from San Jose, so it was quite long. We stopped at El Ceibo restaurant for a break and breakfast. Along the way, we passed Chiquita banana plantation and many more. Then to La Pavona dock to join the Pachira lodge boat. Off to Pachira Lodge. As soon as we docked and off the boat, we were briefed and given a delicious welcome drink. Once the rooms were allocated, our luggages were taken off by the dock. You are responsible for your luggage to the room. So we were advised to pack light. There are many lodges, some of them can be more than 5mins walk from the dock. There are 3 steps or there is ramp, depends which side you take to your lodge. The room fairly spacious. There is a ceiling fan, vents above the beds and three windows for air. Four lodges in each group. So two side by side and two backing each other. The bathroom had the necessary toiletries. They provided filter drinking water at the main eating area. They are huge trees and plants around the lodges so it is cooler in the night. You have to walk few mins to the main dining area, pool and bar. They are lights along the path way. Note, it get dark by 530pm. The wifi reception was okay closer to the main dinning area. At times, you cannot get it in your room. I had good wifi reception by the docks and the hammock area. The main reception area is closer to the dock. You have to walk around to get familiar and follow the signs. The food was delicious and tasty. I enjoyed the way they prepared the food and they added few local dishes too. Staff were around to take your alcohol order. The area was very quiet in the night. Unless other guests passing and shouting. In the morning, the place came alive with the howler monkeys, birds and insects sounds. Lucky to see howler and spider monkeys, mud crabs, armadillo and birds. They have a trail where you can see the resident sloth. They are bugs and mosquitos, especially in the night. The staff was very helpful and pleasant. The boat drivers were amazing. The Tortuguero town is few mins boat ride across the lodge. I visited once. Around the lodges, they are many areas for a peaceful relaxation. They have a smoking area and few hammocks. Overall it is peaceful with the sound of the water, birds and monkeys. I can say, I did not see any snake nor anyone in my group. I felt safe.

Best bits: Wildlife is all around you. So much to hear and see. Loved the spider monkeys. Excursion on the river and canals: so much wild life including basilisks, caimans, iguanas and an immense array of bird life Excursion to the volcanic look out : more wild life including howler monkeys and bats plus a great view of Tortugeuro. Guides are knowledgeable and engaging and with eagle eyes to spot wildlife. Pool area Less good: The rooms are not very private since the walls of your room don’t reach the ceiling so the other three adjoining rooms share the same roof space so you can hear your neighbours!

5 stars for location and wildlife but for me, accommodation would be 3 stars. We had fabulous walks with Daniel, he showed us Toucans, Cayman, monkeys, many birds and even poison dart frogs. The extra walk up the local hill was well worth the cost ($38), the view was amazing. A trip to Tortugueiro was interesting. The resort is a bit regimented but this is necessary to allow for so many people to check in and depart on the various trips. Dining was canteenish but food was ok, serving staff appear quite unhappy. The pool and bar are pleasant. The cabins are a bit primitive but everything works and the WiFi is OK unless you're in a distant room. We thought that overall this was a fabulous place to visit and tremendous value.