Pachira Lodge

The lodge's prime rainforest location allows easy access to natural attractions. Guests appreciate the clean, well-maintained rooms and friendly staff. The breakfast buffet is diverse, and the pool area is delightful.

We stayed at Pachira Lodge for two nights on a Viator tour. I'm glad we went as it was a bit of an adventure, but as with anything, as it turns out, it mightn't be everyone's cup of tea. Getting there and back takes a long time from San José as Tortuguero is extremely isolated. Traffic was very slow (the rain didn't help matters) at the San José end; a very long stretch of road is crudely maintained and extremely bumpy; and the boat ride from Caño Blanco to the Lodge takes an hour and 15 minutes. The grounds of Pachira Lodge are lush and beautiful. The cabins and common buildings are scattered through the woods. As others have mentioned, do not expect air conditioning or even glass in the windows. It was very humid for sleeping and the ceiling fan above the bed had one speed: super-jet-turbo, which we could not quite endure. The food in the dining room is served cafeteria style and was generally pretty good. You really have to be into looking for birds and animals (not always a fully successful mission) because otherwise the only other activity is to lounge at the pool, which we did for a while and was pleasant. But it's a very long way to go to lounge at a pool. We took a boat ride into Tortuguero National Park ($17 extra for a park permit, purchased at the Lodge). We saw some birds and small wildlife but then the pouring rain came down and we beelined back to the Lodge. To be honest, we didn't see any more wildlife there than we saw on the long boat journey to and from the Lodge. Adjoining the pool area is a long and interesting paved loop trail through the jungle, and birds and monkeys may be on view. We took a Lodge boat across the channel to stroll through the village of Tortuguero. Unfortunately, it's a grim, wet, impoverished little place, but it's on the beach which is its draw. We were surprised at how high and fierce the surf is along this section of the Caribbean. My impression is that most if not all visitors to Pachira Lodge are there on two-night tour packages. The place is, indeed, an unusual venue. I'm glad we were able to check it out, but for us, once was probably enough.

Well, i cannot say not to go there but… very natural lodges. Like no windows, only mosquito nets. Noises are going and coming. The wall is not until the ceiling towards your neighbour. Beds were confortable for us. What I did not like is the food. There is a buffet type breakfast and dinner but you cannot serve the food out, local staff does it. The variety is not wide. Staff is kind and for request, they prepare take-away breakfast if you need to leave early.