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Mawamba Lodge

Our rating

7/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Wonderful spot amidst canals
- Near Tortuguero National Park
- Superb flora & fauna including turtles
- Affordable offering, wide range of activities

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Overview

Mawamba Lodge enjoys an impressive location on a rather narrow strip of land just a short 10 to 15-minute walk from the remote town of Tortuguero in north eastern Costa Rica. On one side is a series of canals, and on the other is the Caribbean Sea, both of which are easily accessible to visitors. Offering affordable accommodation, the lodge makes for a great place to stay for anyone looking to visit the town and, of course, the nearby Tortuguero National Park, which is well known for its turtle population and exceptional biodiversity; there’s an abundance of wildlife to witness in this well-visited park from the green macaw to lizards, crocodiles, monkeys, sloths, jaguar and more.

There are two types of room to choose from including 50 standard rooms with garden views and 6 larger, superior rooms with views of the canals. None of the rooms have TVs or radios, the emphasis here is on enjoying the natural sights and sounds of the rainforest. All rooms come with an en-suite bathroom and have hot water readily available. Although there is no air conditioning, ceiling fans are included.

There’s a great deal to do in the area. Guided jungle hikes are enjoyable and informative, and boat and kayaking excursions on the canals will reveal a host of animals and colourful birdlife –night hikes in the rainforest and boat trips at dawn and dusk will reveal some of the plentiful nocturnal wildlife as well. Fishing and turtle nesting tours (July to October only) and adrenalin activities such as river rafting are also possible. Note that some activities are included in the standard cost of a stay at Mawamba, but for others there may be an additional fee.

Mamba restaurant is situated right by the pool and offers buffet-style meals. Katonga is the lodge’s other main eatery and is a floating restaurant, offering river cruise meals for an extra charge. There’s also a bar serving alcoholic and soft drinks, a coffee room and library, a gift shop selling souvenirs and sundries, and the lovely pool which is surrounded by an abundance of unspoiled greenery. While staying here, guests benefit from having direct access to the beach; however, swimming is strictly forbidden due to the strong currents and tides.

Children of all ages are welcome, although there are age restrictions on some activities, river rafting, for example, is not available for under 12s. Given the remote, waterside location of the lodge, parents are reminded that children should remain under constant adult supervision.

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • We had the most amazing time. It exceeded all my hopes of what the trip would be. The guides, the hotels - everything was of such a wonderful quality. Thank you for organizing everything. I will absolutely recommend Tourdust and use you again.

    MissingClaudia L reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday on 11 January 2024

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