FAQ & Tips for your Trip

How do I reserve?

You can book directly through our secure reservations system here on website or you can contact our office for reservations by phone: +(506) 2293 81 81, by email info@grupomawamba.com or by fax: +(506) 2239 7657.

You can also contact us through the chat feature here on our website. Our offices are open from 6 am to 6 pm on weekdays and until noon on Saturdays. After office hours reach us at our mobile phone number +(506) 88 54 61 55. Note that our Lodge does not take bookings, as these are handled directly through our San Jose-based office.

Where do trips depart from?

Our trips depart from the capital city of San Jose and include for pick up at most of the hotels in the airport, downtown, east and west of the city.

Please consult if the hotel you are staying at is in our hotel pick up list. Please note that we need to know in advance where you will be staying at in order to arrange your pick up.

What times does the trip depart?

Tour departs early morning between 6:00 and 7:00 am but the definite pick up time will depend on the logistics of day.

We will make sure to reconfirm the time directly to your hotel’s front desk the day prior to the tour, but you can always call us to reconfirm.

Is there a minimum night stay?

No, there isn’t. We offer trips of 1 or more nights, moreover, we believe that in order to really enjoy the area, you need at least a stay of 2 nights.

Bear in mind that because of our location, we arrive in Tortuguero at 1 pm approx. every day, and boats leave back to the dock at 9 am. Our 3 day / 2 night package is our most popular excursion.

What does the trip include?

Our classic packages, regardless of the length of your stay, include:

• Round trip land transportation from San Jose,
• Round trip boat transportation from the pier,
• Lodging,
• all meals at the Lodge,
• tours according to the package selected,
• a bilingual (English/Spanish) guide,
• and all taxes.

Detailed tour descriptions are available on this site in “our trips” section

Can I arrive in Tortuguero by car?

No, there are no roads to get to Tortuguero. If you are driving a car, you can leave it in one of the meeting points along the way.

This are: Rio Danta Restaurant in Guapiles, Caribbean Dish Restaurant in Siquirres or the dock in Caño Blanco.

There are parking costs that you will need to pay, and please note that except for Rio Danta Rest, these are public places not property of Grupo Mawamba (Mawamba Lodge)

What to bring?

Luggage is limited to 25 lb. (12k) per person, please pack accordingly. We recommend fast drying/light cotton clothes, bathing suit for swimming pool use, comfortable walking shoes, a pair of flip flops or sandals, flashlight, hat or cap, insect repellant, camera and binoculars (are a great help to spot animals up in the trees and behind bushes) and sunblock.

If visiting during turtle nesting season (July to September) and you are going to join us on the evening tour, please note you will need dark (black) clothes to join.

Who is Grupo Mawamba?

Grupo Mawamba is a Costa Rican family-owned company that owns two Lodges in Costa Rica.

One is Mawamba Lodge in Tortuguero and the other is Trogon Lodge in San Gerardo de Dota.

Grupo Mawamba has been in operation since 1985 and is one of the pioneers in the area of Tortuguero.

Can I expect too much rain?

Mawamba Lodge is located in the heartland of the Rainforest, where sudden showers can be expected anytime of the year.

We recommend you bring a raincoat or poncho and have it readily available during your hike or boat tours. Our souvenir shop also has raincoats for sale. Umbrellas are available for guests’ use at the Lodge.

Can I arrange my own transportation?

The main reason why we have created our packages is because we know the logistics of getting in and out of Tortuguero and we provide you with a hassle-free, safe, and economic vacation.

We have the necessary covers and insurance and own the buses and boats you’d travel in. You could arrange your own transportation, but in the end it will probably cost more, might not be as efficient and easy to arrange as you would think of and please note that any unused services included in our packages are not refundable.

Are theire mosquitoes?

A frequent question! Well, we are on the rainforest, and mosquitoes live happily here, but, because our Lodge is very close to the ocean and not amidst swamp lands, there are less than in other similar areas.

Still, insect repellant is recommended and needed, especially during your hikes and in the afternoons. Our souvenir shop usually has for sale in case you don’t bring yours. All our rooms are equipped with screens.

Smoking?

All of our rooms are non-smoking and it is not permitted to smoke during any of the tours, on the bus nor on the boats. Smoking is permitted in the bar area and in the public areas of the lodge.

Do I have to return to San Jose after Tortuguero?

Many people return to San Jose after Tortuguero, but this is not mandatory. You could arrange to continue to the South Caribbean, Sarapiqui or Arenal Volcano (La Fortuna) areas afterwards.

Please consult and we will help with more information on this matter.

About the weather

Tropical Rainforest weather, warm and humid with frequent showers. The Caribbean Coast offers weather conditions different to the Pacific Coast. Driest months are April and May, September and October.

Are there public services in Tortuguero?

Tortuguero is a small village that can be easily reached walking by the beach from Mawamba Lodge (Mawamba Lodge is the closest Lodge to town and no boat is needed to get there). There are limited public services available in the area, but you will find supermarkets, coffee shops and souvenir shops. No ATM or Bank services.

Do I have to pay a park Fee?

Yes, every visitor must pay the Park’s admission fee of $15.00 USD per adult and $5.00 USD plus taxes per child aged 6 to 12. Children 5 or younger do not pay park fee. The pass is good for a day; those staying 3 or more nights you will need to acquire a new ticket.

What wildlife can I expect to see?

Many people think of Tortuguero for the turtles, and although this is the haven for several endangered turtle species, there is much more to Tortuguero that makes it a year round destination.

A tropical sanctuary for more than 300 different species of birds (including toucans and macaws) and natural habitat for an amazing array of wildlife, including monkeys, crocodiles, caimans, basilisks and iguanas, among many others.

I want to go on a turtle night tour:

There is a tour available to observe the Green sea turtles that come to Tortuguero to lay their eggs between July to September.

There are other turtle species that nest here too, but because they come in smaller numbers there are no tours available.

The logistic of the turtle tour is established by the Tortuguero National Park and to join you must follow the established regulations which have just one objective in mind: Protect the turtles! We have a section for the Green Turtles on this site that explains this in greater detail.

Note that a great part of the money you pay to go on the tour goes to the local guides (usually young locals who have found in guiding a new way of income and are now more conscious to protect the local environment and the turtles), and conservation purposes.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, we accept Visa, Mastercard, Dinners and AMEX. Please note that the optional tours, including the turtle night tour, must be paid cash.

Are there hair dryers in the room and what other ancillary services do you provide?

We have a limited number of hair dryers available in reception at no extra cost. There is laundry service at extra cost, free WI-FI service in our cafeteria and Internet/computer service at an extra cost in the reception.

Do you have facilities for the disabled?

Getting to Tortuguero involves a combination of bus and boat ride and going on the tours means hopping on/off small boats.

We welcome people with limited walking abilities and will assist in any way we can to make it a comfortable stay, but we understand there are some activities that might be a challenge in some scenarios. Please let us know what your needs are and we will let you know if we will be able to accommodate them.

What is your electric current?

In Costa Rica we use 110v. We have a limited number of 220v convertors in our reception, but we recommend you bring your own

What kind of meals do you offer?

All our meals are served family style, and are a mix of Costa Rican, Caribbean-style and International cuisine.

All our menus offer a vegetarian option and we also use a lot of local vegetables and fruit.

You can help yourself as many times as you wish from the buffet.

I observe a special diet, can you accommodate me?

All our meal plans include a vegetarian option and plenty of local vegetables and fruit, moreover, if you have a special diet, we kindly ask you to consult if we can accommodate your needs or if you will need to bring anything with you.

Do your rooms have A/C and do they have TV and telephone?

No, none of our rooms have A/C. All of our rooms have ceiling fans and were built to let the breeze come in.

The rooms do not have TV or phone, most of the time will be spent out on the tours and we want you to relax and enjoy nature.

Is Tortuguero a beach destination?

The beach and the Caribbean Ocean are right in front of Mawamba Lodge; they provide a great opportunity for leisure walks, refresh by the ocean breeze, go to town, see the hatchlings of the green sea turtles, and much more, but we don’t promote Tortuguero as a beach destination; the major attraction here is nature, wildlife and birdwatching.

There are also strong currents in the area and we don’t recommend swimming in the ocean.

Is Tortuguero recommended for families traveling with little children?

Little kids really enjoy this close encounter with nature, it is a fun-learning experience that everyone can benefit from and we welcome children and families who want to discover this exuberant area.

Moreover, do take some considerations: if you your child needs a booster seat for the boat and bus ride, we recommend you bring one, keep a bottle water handy as the temperatures are usually high, make sure your child wears sunblock at all times and protect him with a hat or cap.

Our rooms can accommodate a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children. Children 0-4 year –old are free of charge, and children 5-11 get a special rate. Please consult.

Is there fishing?

Yes, we offer optional fishing tours in the freshwater of the canals. There is an extra cost for this activity. Please consult if you want more information.