Tortuguero Jungle Expedition with Costa Rica Expeditions

We have been coming to Costa Rica since 2004 and every trip I want to go to Tortuguero, but just can not fit it into our plans. This time I was determined to make it here. I used Costa Rica Expeditions the first time we came to the county and used them again for this little excursion. We were going to stay 3 nights but our kids surprised us with wanting to come to visit us here in Costa Rica so we had to cut the trip to 2 nights.

   Costa Rica Expeditions picked us up right on time 6:20am at the courtyard. We traveled 3 hours to the river to get a boat to take us to Tortuguero. The only way to get to this area is either boat or by plane.

 Once we got to the river we loaded on the boat for the 1 1/2 ride up the river to Tortuguero. One side note there are guys who help get the luggage from the vans to the boats, they work on tips. Please if you take this trip, tip these guys they work hard and out of 12 people we were they only ones who tipped.

  The ride is very peaceful and we spotted a few birds, caimans, Iguanas, river turtles, and some bats along the way.

  We arrived at Tortuga lodge & Gardens, where we stayed for 2 nights just in time for lunch. All meals are included in our stay. There is one restaurant right on the river that serves all the meals. After lunch we settled into our room and went to the pool. There is so much nature right here at the lodge you do not have to leave.

 After a wonderful dinner it was off to bed, our day started early and the next morning our excursions start at 7:30am.
 

  At 4:00am the howler alarm clock went off. There is never a need for an alarm clock in the rainforest the howler monkeys are all you need. I did notice ear plugs in the bathroom as part of the amenities which I found to be a little strange. For guest who like to sleep? 

 I  love listening to them no matter what time of day.

The boat left at 7:30am, we were with Norton who was both the guide and captain. He took us up the river stopping to see many different types of herons, basilisk lizards knew as the Jesus Christ lizard because they walk on water, and monkeys. It was a great day on the water seeing and learning so much about this area.

We got back in time for a wonderful lunch along with a little time to relax before our next excursion.

 The afternoon we went by boat into the town of Tortuguero for some shopping and to the Sea Turtle Conservancy. Tortuguero is one of the spot in the world that the leatherbacks come every year to lay their eggs. It is also the place where the first studies were down. It is not the season for them now but it was still interesting going and learning about the center. Maybe one day I will come volunteer for a season.

Bye Norton

We had some time to relax before dinner and enjoyed the pool while watching the many birds in the trees around the lodge.

Dinner was wonderful and when we got back to our room this was waiting for us. Café Rico a perfect night cap for a wonderful day.

Our plane left at 6:45am to take us back to San Jose. We boarded a boat, went across the river less then 5 minutes, and got on a plane. Now this is a travel day I like, quick easy, and simple.

 

 

The plane ride to San Jose takes all of 25 minutes flying over pineapple & banana fields along with Braulio Carrillo National Park.

A magnificent day to fly.

 Once we landed a representative from Costa Rica Expeditions was waiting for us to take us to Dollar Rental car.

The company has been in business for many years and I highly recommend using them for travel anywhere in the country. They are professionals who know Costa Rica and how to treat clients.

Side note - There is a weight restriction when flying these small planes plus we only needed enough clothes for 2 nights. Part of the tour they keep all your extra stuff for you.

I was a little embarrassed about just how much extra stuff we have since we have been here now over a month, beach chairs, fan, shopping bags full. They were happy to keep it all.
We did get some strange looks from while in the arrival area of the airport waiting for Dollar. I am sure people were thinking what plane did they fly you can carry on a fan?  Who travels with a floor fan?