Evergreen Lodge

That was the warning sign at the boat dock upon arrival at Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero. We stayed in one of their bungalow surrounded by rain forest foliages. The bungalows were far enough part to have privacy. Beware that there are no windows to close within the bungalows, just screens. Inside was one large room with two beds and a separate bathroom. A ceiling fan helped with comfort. Cellular was virtually nonexistent, isolated 3G on occasions. Working Wi-Fi was weathered dependent. We were told monkeys (didn’t see any) and other critters were all around. We were warned not to touch any colorful wildlife (toads/frogs) because those are usually poisonous. There were walkable trails that led to other nearby resorts. A “turtle shaped” swimming pool for guests to use. On our first overnight, we were awakened by loud sounds similar to gunfires or firecrackers. Some sounds were distant and some on top of us. They told us that sounds were branches or other things falling onto the metal roofs of the bungalows. Metal roofs amplified the sounds. Nightly we received deluges of rain which probably accounted for the falling branches. There was so much precipitation in this rain forest that the water rose over the dock in the morning. We ate buffets at their dining hall. Choices were adequate, but definitely not gourmet. They can made omelets during breakfast and pasta of you choice during dinner. The staff were helpful, nice and accommodating.

It took a 1.45-hour coach ride from Le Ceibo Restaurant followed by a 1.5-hour boat ride to arrive at the Evergreen Lodge in the middle of the rainforest on the banks of one of the channels just outside the national park. Our room for two nights was a wooden cabin set on stilts surrounded by rainforest. Good points about the hotel – the reservation includes full board and all the trips which in our case was two guided short walks spotting wildlife in the rainforest around the hotels and a pre-breakfast 1.5-hour boat ride through the channels of the national park. There was also a trip to the local town, but we decided not to go as it wasn’t turtle season and we had read reports that it was very touristy and expensive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were buffet style and were served for you. Quite a few choices including a cooking station at breakfast & lunch, desserts plus tea & coffee which also had to be served for you which was a little frustrating as would have preferred self-service. There was water and squash at all meals. Other drinks including beer and wine were offered at dinner, but we had a drink at Bar Basilliscus (one of three bars) before going to dinner. This bar had a lovely position right on the edge of the channel so good at sunset although we did often have to hunt out the barman plus pay as you go (with card). I ordered a Guaro Sour on both evenings we were there, and both were completely different and nothing like the Guaro Sours I’d had anywhere else, but they were drinkable. There are also two restaurants at the lodge and which one you go to depends on your room number. We didn’t experience queues for food while there which we read was a problem, but we did get seated for our first meal on a table with four strangers none of whom spoke English. After we’d finished, I went to reception and requested a table for two which we got from then on. There were also two swimming pools, one small one with no loungers and a larger turtle shaped one with a few loungers. Not so good points – the rooms are quite basic with a ceiling fan and safe but no A/C (mainly as there is only mesh for windows), no hairdryer and the (open) Wi-Fi was ok but you had to regularly log back on. Being in the middle of the rainforest it was mosquito heaven; we used deterrent regularly but still got a few bites. Saying that we saw very few other insects and contrary to other reviews found none in our room. There was also no chance of drying anything, in fact all our clothes felt damp and didn’t dry out until we moved onto our next hotel. The animals we saw on both our guided walks and boat tour were very limited. We did see a couple of agoutis regularly outside our room and did hear howler monkeys but didn’t see them. We were very disappointed by our guided walks as most of the insects and animals we saw were found by my husband or other members of the group. There were also far too many people on each walk so couldn’t see much. We were also at the ba

Fantastic stay in Tortugero. An incredibly immersive experience in the middle of an incredibly luch and extravagant nature. The highlight is the canal visit and the turtle conservation center on the wonderful Carribean beach nearby. Special place, not to be missed!

We stayed at Evergreen Lodge on a wildlife tour with Exodus. It's a lovely location, accessed by boat, close to Tortuguero National Park. The grounds are full of wildlife - howler and capuchin monkeys, agouti, frogs. The cabins are comfortable, attractive and shaded, sensitively arranged among trees. Breakfast, lunch and dinners were all good. Keep your door closed. Capuchin monkeys take anything left out at the Monkey Bar. We watched them upend beer bottles and lick out cocktail glasses.

Enjoyed a wonderful 2 night stay. Rooms well equipped for basic accommodation. Loved the lodges having no windows to add to the experience of sleeping within the Costa Rican wildlife. Food was tasty and varied each day and staff were friendly. Would give 5 stars if more nature trails but understand due to restrictions and location. Wonderful start to our Costa Rican adventure.

The location of the lodge about half a mile from National Park office is good. There is plenty of wildlife around the buildings and excellent wildlife viewing on the boat tours. We were travelling as a couple with this being the second of 7 overnight stays during our 18 day holiday in Costa Rica We were allocated a table in the dining room with another UK couple right in front of the servery for hot meals which made it very hot, also with people constantly passing by. After a day we all asked to move to a table which was vacant in a much cooler area which the staff reluctantly allowed us to do. The food was basic but edible, sadly not up to the standard of the other very remote lodge we stayed in Osa Pennisula. The cabins provided clean basic accommodation with standard insect mesh windows provided in similar lodges with no air conditioning. The boat, guide and bar staff were all excellent during our staff.