We recently spent three days at the Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero, Costa Rica to celebrate the 4th of July. It is at the edge of a rainforest and next to the Tortuguero National Park. The only way to get there is to take a boat through canals for 30 minutes. The video above shows people arriving just as we did. The welcoming committee hands you a tropical tea-like drink and your relaxing and informative time has begun. 

We took a boat tour of the national park where we saw monkeys, birds, frogs, lizards, caimans and so many other critters I could not begin to remember all the names. The foliage, flowers, and trees were gigantic! Our tour guide, Fransico, did a fabulous job of spotting various things for us to see. At one point I felt a little sorry for him because he had to explain everything in Spanish and English. 

 

We also walked the street of the town of Tortuguero. This town is on the other side of the canal on the Caribbean side of the Atlantic Ocean. It has one street that's about 6 city blocks long, very narrow and has only tourist shops, restaurants, and a sparse amount of small homes for the locals. The town is 100% dependant on tourism for their existence. No cars. the only way to travel is walk or bike. The only way in to or out of town is via boat. I italicize town because the guide for this adventure is a native and joked about its tiny size.      

The lodge was very clean and the entire staff was very friendly and professional. All meals were buffet style and the food was very good. The pool was spacious and well maintained. The poolside scenery made this old man's heart beat rapidly and supplied plenty of fantasy material for months to come. The bar served the typical tropical drinks and all the national beers. One drawback is that you cannot order ANY type of snacks or food. Just as well I guess. Why spoil a good double Absolute on the rocks with comitas. 

 

The tour guide was honest and told us that we had come at the beginning of the turtle egg laying season which is the biggest tourist attraction there so you may want to just keep your $15 per person night tour fee in your wallet. So we did. Spent it at the bar instead. 

 

If you want a relaxing and totally different experience this one fits the bill in spades. I will caution that although cell phones worked ok the wifi signal is too weak for you to use your laptop for Skype.