Caribbean Coast
Selected Hotels, Suggested Itineraries

Tortuguero National Park The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica offers some of the most exciting nature expeditions. Fifty miles north of Limon on the Caribbean shore lies Tortuguero National Park, one of the few remaining strongholds of tropical wildlife. Tortuguero (which means "Turtle Place"), is recognized internationally for its sea turtles. At certain times it is possible to observe the turtles nesting on the beach at night and newly hatched turtles scrambling from the nest to the sea (see below for the nesting schedule). There are walks on the beach by night and river trips by day for observing birds and monkeys.

Sea turtle nesting on the beach Sea Turtle Nesting Schedule (Caribbean Coast) March-July Leatherback Turtles June-October Green Turtles May-November Hawksbill Turtles

Mawamba Jungle Lodge
Click for photo gallery

The pool and restaurant at Mawamba Lodge

Standard triple room at Mawamba Lodge

Its beautiful gardens and rustic accommodations blend with the exuberant jungle vegetation, exotic birds and wildlife, creating a perfect balance with nature. The lodge features two open-air restaurants with delicious international and local cuisine, and a pool-bar with an inviting waterfall (above, right), where you can enjoy exotic tropical cocktails. The lodge has 54 comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, hot water, and ceiling fans. Rooms have either three single beds or one double bed and one single bed. The hotel has the capacity to host up to 100 people.

Manatus VIP Hotel & Spa Click for photo gallery
Manatus VIP Hotel & Spa, Tortuguero	Manatus VIP Hotel in Tortuguero offers guests a unique combination in the area: Luxurious comfortable rooms and facilities, a delicious restaurant with an international and gourmet cuisine offering Caribbean fusion food, the relaxing services of a spa, and the excitement of a variety of adventure tours, all just a few steps from the world famous Tortuguero National Park.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: San Jose to Tortuguero Morning departure toward the Caribbean Coast via motorcoach with a stop en route at Braulio Carrillo National Park. Then boat along the rivers and canals through densely vegetated areas in search of alligators, monkeys and birds, with arrival at Mawamba Lodge or Manatus VIP Hotel & Spa in time for lunch. After lunch visit the village of Tortuguero, to mail your postcards with some unique stamps, and the Turtle Research Center ($5 contribution not included). (B, L, D)
Day 2: Tortuguero All day at Tortuguero, including nature tours or optional fishing expeditions. If it is nesting season (MAR-MAY & JUL-OCT), you can observe the sea turtles laying eggs on the beach by night or see newly-hatched baby turtles. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Tortuguero/San Jose After breakfast, return to San Jose via boat and bus with lunch en route. Alternatively, we can pick you up at the lunch stop in Guapiles and transfer you through the beautiful San Carlos Valley to Arenal (B, L)

Puerto Viejo/Punta Cocles

South of Limon lies Puerto Viejo and Punta Cocles, and nearby is Cahuita National Park, offering visitors a transitional subtropical forest and uninhabited, white sandy beaches with coral reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving. Roads are mostly unpaved, and hotels are casual and unpretentious.

Barefoot Vacation Class

Hotel Cariblue, Playa Cocles Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, Cariblue Hotel offers 25 spacious individual bungalows with telephone and hot water. The hardwood and thatch-roofed bungalows have porches with hammocks, ceiling fans, mosquito netting, and are beautifully appointed with precious woods in a tropical style, and colorful hand-made ceramic tile bathrooms. Adjacent to Cahuita National Park, the Cariblue is just footsteps from a pristine beach.