EVERGREEN LODGE

Tortuguero itself was extraordinary, and the turtle experience was absolutely amazing. The guides were also very good: knowledgeable and friendly. Unfortunately, the lodge experience did not match the destination. Cleanliness and room comfort were disappointing. We had to ask twice for spider webs and spiders in the room to be cleaned, and still webs were left behind. Linens and towels did not feel particularly clean with spots on them. As it rained almost continuously, the room became extremely humid, everything felt damp, and the floor was often slippery. We had booked the full experience package directly with the hotel, so we were surprised to find ourselves included in very large groups for transfers and activities. This was never made clear before booking. Had we known the experience would operate in this format, we would likely have made a different choice. The guides themselves were great; the issue was the group size and overall package-tour format. The most concerning part was how the lodge handled the severe weather. Trees fell in the area and we lost electricity, water and telecommunications. For a completely isolated lodge, we were very surprised that there appeared to be no backup generator capable of maintaining essential services. Communication during the incident was also poor. There was no proactive effort to contact each room, check that guests were safe, or provide clear and consistent instructions. Changes to our departure time and meeting point were mainly communicated verbally by guides in the restaurant during breakfast, meaning guests who were not there simply missed the information. We consequently went to the original meeting point at the original time, only to find that departure had been moved and delayed by around 1.5 hours. The time previously given to us at reception was different again. We fully understand that the weather was outside the hotel’s control. However, emergency preparedness, communication, cleanliness and guest care are not. Tortuguero is absolutely worth visiting, and the turtle tour was unforgettable, but based on our experience we would choose a different lodge next time.

Rooms very comfortable and loved being in the middle of the jungle. Pool nice but did get busy in the afternoon. Food ok. Would have liked more fruit options. Not many options for vegetarians. Staff were lovely and very helpful, particularly when we managed to lock ourselves in our room! Overall a fabulous experience.

The location was fantastic. Unfortunately, the room was disappointing and did not look anything like the photos. It was very small, and unlike what we expected from the photos, our room did not have a terrace. The power outlet was located behind the bed, and when we moved the bed forward to access it, the passage to the bathroom became too narrow. The food, however, was absolutely amazing. The extra care and attention given to our gluten-free requirements, as we have coeliac disease, was excellent. They prepared special meals for us in addition to the gluten-free options available at the buffet. Everything was handled with great care, and most importantly, we did not get sick from eating there. This gave us a lot of peace of mind and allowed us to fully enjoy our stay. The excursions and transportation were also very well organised and worked perfectly. Everything was arranged smoothly and professionally. The banana and chocolate bread was absolutely divine!