Tortuguero · ★★★
Mawamba Lodge
A Beautifully Designed, Elegant Resort in Remote Tortuguero
Nature
Mawamba Lodge, between the Tortuguero canals and the Caribbean
Mawamba Lodge has been welcoming guests on a canal in Tortuguero since 1985, on the strip of land between the lagoon and the Caribbean Sea. It is within walking distance of the village, which is rare for a lodge of its kind here. It suits families and couples who want a sociable, well-run base with plenty to do between boat tours.
Why we choose it
- Walk to the village. You can stroll into Tortuguero for a coffee or a souvenir, rather than waiting for a boat.
- Dinner on the water. Katonga, the floating restaurant, serves dinner while cruising the canals.
- Space for couples and families. The Superior rooms and Bungalows are for couples only, while the Standard rooms take a family of up to 4.
Rooms and views
There are four categories. Economy rooms are the simplest. The renovated Standard rooms have a king bed for 2 or two queens for up to 4. The Superior rooms and the Bungalows are for couples only: the Superiors have a partial canal view, and the Bungalows look onto the gardens with part of the canal beyond.
For a honeymoon or an anniversary, we would book a Bungalow.
On the property
The jungle pool and the jacuzzi are where most guests spend the hot middle of the day. There are riverfront platforms built for watching the sunset, a garden sala for massages, a bar and a family-style restaurant. The lodge also has its own private reserve, used for guided night hikes to find frogs, insects and sleeping birds.
Families are welcome, and the lodge helps guests who have limited walking ability.
Location and getting there
Mawamba is on a canal in Tortuguero, reached only by boat or small plane, and we arrange the transfer as one trip. The Caribbean beach is a short walk away for a sunset stroll, though the sea here is not safe for swimming. From the lodge we book canal boat tours, kayaking and canoeing, and turtle nesting walks in season. It is one of our team's favourites near Tortuguero National Park.
Rooms & suites
Our favourite rooms, and why
Superior Room
Sleeps 2 · Partial canal view
How it compares
Hotels we book in Tortuguero
From our own hotel records: stars, themes and amenities. Nothing here is a price.
| Mawamba Lodge | Laguna Lodge | Pachira Lodge | Evergreen Lodge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stars | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Spa | Not listed | Not listed | Yes | Yes |
| Team favourite | Yes | Not listed | Not listed | Yes |
| Check availability | See hotel | See hotel | See hotel |
On the property
What you will find there
Getting there
Where it is
Your Costa Rican driver waits at arrivals and stops whenever you like on the way: fruit stands, a sloth in a tree, a bathroom.
Also in Tortuguero
If this hotel is full, we would look at
Your Costa Rica, starting in Tortuguero
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A Specialist who lives here checks this hotel and builds the rest around it.
Facts checked by our team: 1 November 2026
© 2004-2026 My Costa Rica (CostaRica.Org). Custom Costa Rica vacations, designed and run by our team in Costa Rica.Privacy Policy · Sitemap