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Manatus Hotel

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Intimate Tortugeuro Eco Lodge
- 12 Air Conditioned Rooms
- Wide range of activities, turtle hatching
- Restaurant highly regarded

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Overview

Manatus Hotel is one of the best lodges in the Tortuguero area of north east Costa Rica. Manatus stands out from many of the other options in the area with its smaller and more intimate scale with just 12 rooms and its upscale a la carte dining.

Manatus is set on a narrow strip of densely forested land beside a beautiful, jungle-fringed canal, just a short boat ride from the national park and the village of Tortuguero itself. The property has a traditional, characterful feel, and its warm hospitality and excellent service sets it apart. The pretty gardens are home to a colourful variety of plants and flowers along with an array of bird species and playful monkeys swinging in the trees, and there’s a huge amount to do in the surrounding area.

There are a dozen pristine suites, all offering a particularly good level of amenities and facilities in relation to some other hotels in the area. All twelve suites are air conditioned and have free Wi-Fi, as well as satellite TVs. The rooms come with an outdoor terrace area complete with a private shower; there’s also an indoor shower with hot water. Children are welcome, and those aged 10 years and below can stay for a reduced rate. Children over the age of 10, however, are required to pay adult prices. All rooms have two queen beds meaning that suites can accommodate a maximum number of four guests – note that there is no possibility to bring in extra beds.

There are a number of guest packages to choose from, and all of them include a canal boat tour through the national park and a guided visit to the village of Tortuguero and the nearby Caribbean Conservation Company. In addition, there are lots of optional activities that can be booked for an extra charge. Examples include the Twilight Tour which takes guests along the walking trails that stretch throughout the hotel’s expansive rainforest surroundings, and the Night Turtle Nesting Tour which offers the rare opportunity to witness turtles laying their eggs on the beach (seasonal). For the more adventurous, there’s the chance to go kayaking and zip lining through the forest canopy. The area is a top catch-and-release sport fishing destination, so fishing is also a very popular choice.

When not out exploring the national park and the charming village of Tortuguero, there are plenty of on-site facilities to make use of. There’s an art gallery showcasing works by the artist Marcela Crespo Gallegos, as well as a swimming pool with lovely canal views, a billiards table beside the bar, a well-equipped fitness room and a spa with a wide range of treatments on offer, from manicures and pedicures, to stone massages and facials. Ara Macaw is the hotel’s restaurant and is the only gourmet eatery in the area. Its menu specialises in Afro-Caribbean fusion cuisine, with food prepared to a very high standard.

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 536 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I would like to say a massive thank you for organising our Vietnam trip. The itinerary and execution were superb, as was the attention to detail. I would also like to thank the agent who was on the end of my whats app chat (I have no idea who they were!) – always available, always quick to respond, and kept me updated regarding times etc. Also, the guides Dan (north) and Tien (mid) were just excellent, and we really enjoyed their company. The lady (whose name I have forgotten) who was our additional guide for the DMZ day was exceedingly good and made that day very special.

    Missingfiona g reviewing Complete Vietnam For Families on 15 April 2024

  • Trip was great and all the arrangements were excellent so thank you for all the help!

    Drivers and transfers were all good - on time and very good service on each trip.

    Accommodation was lovely - Douar Samra was amazing (weather could have been better but lovely regardless). Riad in Marrakesh was also great!

    All in all a great trip and we loved the variety of the mountains, Marrakesh and the coast.

    Thanks you once again!

    MissingHardeep S reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 15 April 2024

  • 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

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