The Central American country of Costa Rica offers visitors an exotic vacation destination. Costa Rica's lush forests and long coastline offers opportunities for surfing, snorkeling, hiking and wildlife spotting. Staying at an all-inclusive resort takes the stress out of your vacation, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the country. Resorts on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica are generally smaller than elsewhere in the country, offer proximity to attractive beaches, and include amenities such as meals, entertainment and airport transportation.
Pachira Lodge is situated across the canal from the town of Tortuguero in the Caribbean midwest and five minutes from Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero is one of the rainiest regions of Costa Rica and, with 11 identified habitats in the park, shelters some of the greatest biological diversity in the country. The green tortoise comes here to lay eggs from July through September. Pachira Lodge occupies 34 acres of well-kept gardens and offers 88 guest rooms spread throughout almond-wood cabins. All buffet-style meals, transportation from the San Jose airport, and a jungle tour are included in rates. The resort also offers optional tours and packages that include air transportation from San Jose. Facilities include a large outdoor swimming pool shaped like a sea turtle with a whirlpool at its head and a section for swimmers with disabilities. Fodor's describes the resort as one of the prettiest in the area, but advises that it is often full.
The Evergreen Lodge is owned by the same proprietors as the Pachira Lodge and is located a five-minute boat journey from the main entrance of Tortuguero National Park. The resort offers seclusion, with 26 cabins that extend deep into the forest. All cabins feature one double and one single bedroom, bamboo furniture and venetian blinds. All buffet-style meals and city and walking tours are included in rates. Fodor's recommends the Evergreen Lodge for its seclusion and notes that guests tend to be honeymooning couples.
Almonds and Coral Lodge is located in the heart of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. The resort has 24 bungalows on stilts and lying under giant trees in the dense forest. All bungalows have private balconies and are connected by a wooden walkway that is lit up at night. Suites with private hot tubs are also available. Breakfast and dinner of local and international dishes are served at the open-air restaurant and included in rates. Other facilities include a full-service spa, and the resort offers a variety of tours for an extra cost, including dolphin spotting, Indian reservations and bicycling tours. Special honeymoon packages are available.
