We were disappointed by the front of house staff. Our welcome was almost non-existent apart from the basics, and when we tried to ask for assistance one morning to buy a pass for the national parks, the girl was particularly abrupt, and told us she couldn't help us as she was there to help people check-out....NB there was not a check-out anywhere in sight. It tainted what could have been a very good experience. In comparison to the other places we have stayed since (3 others). Fix this front of house care and I think Mawamba is a great choice.

The property is nestled between the canal waterway and the Caribbean Sea which is quite spectacular. The grounds are really beautifully kept and our accommodation was spacious. We booked a free standing bungalow which was good. There wasn't airconditioning in the rooms which we found tough being our first few days in Costa Rica... The humidity in May was over 90%. The team in the restaurant were excellent and very friendly & attentive. The food was really good. The pool area was clean and was next to the bar and restaurant area which gave it a nice atmosphere. The bar area is separate so you can sit and enjoy an early evening drink b4 dinner, or grab a coffee and relax after breakfast.

Stayed in May 2024

no air conditioning in rooms, but we learnt to appreciate being back to basics. We liked it after 2 nights without the AC

Food is good; hotel room is basic but well designed; very friendly and helpful staff; very close to nature, the night walk is just at the back of the hotel: super clear instructions that eased our arrival logistics.

Stayed in May 2024

No hot water.

Cool glamping experience in the jungle. Very private. Good fun

Stayed in May 2024

Breakfast options limited but very good. Also stopped at 9am which is a little early Facilities in room limited. i.e. no water or coffee provided

A very authentic hotel in a fabulous location

Stayed in May 2024

However, it should be noted that the staff is lowly motivated to communicate with guests and give advice on excursions. I would recommend choose alternative guides who provide detailed information about the area and features before taking a tour from the hotel. Communication with guests in hotels is very mediocre. The place is suitable for a maximum stay of two nights.

Good hotel in terms of location and territory. Large garden with birds and iguanas. On one side is the river, on the other there is a beach with access to the sea. You can walk to the city and the national park. Delicious restaurant (better than in the city) and good breakfasts. The rooms are simple but clean. I definitely recommend this hotel.

Stayed in May 2024

No AC in the rooms and while it’s not a problem during the night, because it gets chilly and there is no glass in the windows, just mosquito nets, it was unbearable during the day - it’s extremely stuffy and hot. Forget about the nap in the room - it’s simply too hot. We did not mind because we just stayed for one night and had no time to chill in the room, but I imagine it can be a problem during the longer stay.

The place is lovely, in the middle of the jungle, very secluded. Lots of animals around you, parrots, toucans, iguanas, squirrels. The pool area and the bar were nice. Staff is very helpful, explained everything to us even before our arrival, responded to our messages very quickly and helped us book all the tours.

Stayed in April 2024

It’s tough without aircon given humidity however there are hardly any options where this is available given the remote location! Otherwise than that we thought the hotel was fantastic!

Beautiful grounds and facilities and very lovely staff

Stayed in March 2024

Property itself is quite outdated, room wasnt clean and even had molt stains. Staff was really divided, some of them really friendly some even quite arrogant.

Amazing location in Tortuguero, surrounded by beautiful nature and animals. Also the tours with Steven were great, really suggest booking with him as he is a biologist and knows a lot about the animals and nature.

Stayed in April 2024

When shampooing hair, elbow knocked shampoo dispenser off wall. Please relocate dispenser. Wall safe was broken. Staff was unable to make change .

I liked the jungle tour, pool, shower, beds.

Stayed in April 2024

Rooms are very hot and noisy (neighbors can easily be heard). Also, I specifically informed about booking tours in advance, which I was told was not needed. In fact, the hotel suggested me to wait until checkin to make a more informed decision. However, while checking in (at 7 in the morning), we learned that guided walking tours have to be booked at least 1 day in advance and the canoe trip was not possible at all during our stay since there were not enough guides/boats?! Luckily, a very friendly person at reception was able to book us an other tour, but still, we were rather disappointed… Finally, the night tour was not very well organized: we were a group of 9 and 2 other guests joined the tour. We were forced to walk in a straight line all night and the people in the back did not hear of see any of the things the guide pointed out. Perhaps this was not a bad thing since the guide seemed more concerned about making jokes about his mother in law and the people in our group found most of the animals, but still, having payed a lot of money, we were expecting a bit more (and the night walks we did in monteverde and la Fortuna were definitely far more interesting).

Great location close to both the village and the national park. The general layout of the hotel is beautiful, rooms are a bit basic.

Stayed in April 2024

Service was slow and inattentive in the restaurant. On we guided night walk and boat ride we didn’t see many animals. In fact we saw more on the boat back to La Pavona, they should communicate more if one boat has seen something really good.

The location was excellent, lovely flowers and even tadpoles. The food was very good, although more choices for breakfast would be nice, delicious juice and fruit. Lovely range of seating around the pool, and umbrellas and nice pool to swim in and for children to play in.

Stayed in March 2024

The place is very beautiful and peaceful set in natural surroundings. You wake up with the sound of birds singing. Both near the river and sea and away from the main shopping street. The staff were really polite and efficient and breakfast was delicious. I would definitely go back there again if I go back to Tortuguero.

Stayed in February 2024

No air con but understand why

Location was great and we liked we could walk into the village

Stayed in March 2024

Restaurant menu was limited for vegetarians and the portion sizes were very small especially for the cost of each dish.

Facilities were fantastic - walking trails, garden, decking areas, pool and bar. Proximity to the town, the Caribbean Sea and the water taxis on the canals. Great selection of tours - great guides.

Stayed in March 2024

Room and bathroom were a decent size. The property itself was very nice. The staff were very helpful. The restaurant staff offered a great service with a smile. Great location. Only a 15/20 minute walk into the town.

Stayed in March 2024

Rooms and facilities quite old in my opinion, so I think the price is a little too high for what they offer.

Clean, nice location not in the centre of Tortuguero which means it is more quiet but only a 10/15 min walk to the main street.

Stayed in February 2024

A very charming and spacious lodge with river view from the terrace and a very comfy bed. I really enjoyed the way it was arranged and the multitudes of windows, as well as the huge bathroom. All the comfort in the middle of nature. Beautiful arranged common areas and great pool.

Stayed in January 2024

Great setting , beautiful garden, wonderful view

Stayed in January 2024

Room needs updating too basic, eg. No coffee/tea facilities bad lighting.Breakfast is far too small it doesn't warrant the money. Staff assume that you should know how everything works and the assumption you know about the excursions, eg. What to bring with you or wear.

Location and the outdoor facilities and wildlife.

Stayed in January 2024

Location away from main town stunning setting

Stayed in January 2024

The rooms were stuffy if you had the window shutters closed for privacy. The rooms have thin connecting walls. 2/3 of our party's rooms didn't have a problem with it as they had considerate neighbors but, we had noisy neighbors.

The grounds, restaurant staff, location, and look of the rooms.

Stayed in January 2024

Whilst the room was beautiful, it was a little bare and therefore perhaps slightly overpriced. I understand the point is to be in nature, but there was certainly space for a small coffee machine, for example. Therefore, it wasn't as luxurious as I expected it to be with the price.

The views and the atmosphere were amazing, we could hear the rainforest from our room and the canals and sea were right there. The staff were very friendly and helpful, especially with booking tours and picking up/dropping off at the airport. The breakfast was delicious!

Stayed in December 2023

Basic equipment of standard rooms Not enough sun beds in the pool area

A special atmosphere in this place, a bit remote from the village but walkable by European standards, beautiful garden and surroundings. Very kind staff in particular at the restaurant, very eager to fulfill needs, food very good!

Stayed in December 2023

The rooms are big, however there is not much to place your stuff. A few hangers here and there, a little table, etc would be really helpful. Bath could do with a little renovation.

Amazing hotel with good restaurant, very nice pool area, super friendly staff and good located to explore the area(3min walking to the beach, 15min to town)

Stayed in December 2023