Hotel Serendipity Tortuguero

Serendipity Hotel, Tortuguero, Costa Rica In May of last year we visited a luxurious inclusive western-style resort within an hour drive from the Liberia airport. It was lovely with plenty of food and drink. However, we were over 3 hours away one way by car from the real beauties of rain forest and it’s abundant exotic inhabitants. It was very exhausting to say the least to spend most of your day on the road instead of enjoying the wonders of Costa Rica. Later that year we found out about Tortuguero, which looked like a true gem of the Rainforest life based on a little research we have done. Without a delay we immediately decided to explore the island. We found it to be be even better than few Google searches have revealed. The Tortuguero island is located a smooth and picturesque 2.5 hour drive from the San Jose airport and then 40 minutes by boat, which seemed more like a Disney jungle cruise. At the dock we were greeted by a friendly Serendipity Hotel representative, who was holding a sign with our names on it. The moment we set our foot on the island the hotel staff made us feel welcomed and at home! The Serendipity hotel itself was only a short 4 minute walk from the dock. And the location could not be more perfect: right in the middle of Tortuguero and only few hundred feet away from the National Rainforest park, ocean beach and a river with a large variety of restaurants. Friendly hotel staff was on site 24/7 always ready to help or provided the needed. For meals we had a choice of tasty traditional Costa Rican menu. And for breakfast we had an option of traditional American. The hotel staff went above and beyond to make vegetarian meals for me that I absolutely loved. The hotel’s clean modern rooms with super quiet AC units in each was a true luxury. What a change compared to a Marriott hotel in San Jose where I could not sleep due to a noisy AC. We were in the middle of the rainforest for 5 days! Canoeing, kayaking, walks in the virgin Rainforest, climbing a dormant volcano, night walks with a guide to explore the island’s nightlife and amazing sunsets…I took so many wonderful photos, that we keep going thru even now, several months after our trip. Having experienced such a paradise, I can say with a definite certainty there are no more all inclusive resorts for me…only Serendipity Hotel on Tortuguero! In conclusion, we will definitely go back to Tortuguero soon, as the place feels like home with amazing ecotourism opportunities and wonderful at home like comfort of the Serendipity hotel.

Serendipity was a great choice for our group! The booking process was quite easy. Direct communication through WhatsApp from booking process to throughout our stay was very quick. The staff was excellent! They were very friendly and attentive throughout our stay. The meals were very good with many options. They go out of their way to accommodate your schedule and meals are served whenever you want. The location is perfect for tours, walking in the park and strolling the town. The rooms are spacious with an air conditioner that cools the entire room and a high speed ceiling fan! The bed was very comfortable and we had plenty of hot water. We would definitely stay here again.

Very pleasant staff that truly tried to make us comfortable. The hotel is superficially attractive and relatively new, but poor location, poor quality of construction, and lack of attention to basic room amenities led to a very uncomfortable stay. Only one water temperature (cold in lavatory, lukewarm in shower). Bed is too small for two average adults. Shower pan does not drain properly. No shower curtain, so bathroom becomes soaking wet when shower is used. Pedestal sink, with no place to put toiletries except a tiny glass shelf. No reading lamp or bedside table to place phone or alarm clock. Has a dresser with drawers, but no place to hang clothes. All of this could have been overlooked, were it not for a lack of any meaningful attempt at soundproofing, internally or externally. We suffered through days and nights of incessantly yapping dogs, screaming babies, loud booming music, and the sound of voices from other rooms. Hotel is located in what can only be described as a slum in the town of Tortuguero, with multiple other buildings literally a few feet away. Walking anywhere from the hotel requires navigation of a mine field of dog poop and stray dogs roaming everywhere at will, including stores and restaurants. The surrounding natural areas are beautiful, but we would strongly advise a tour or day trip from San Jose, and avoid staying in the town of Tortuguero.

Tortuguero was our first stop in Costa Rica. The welcome from the staff at Hotel Serendipity was amazing. They met us off the public boat with a warm welcome and took our bags to the hotel. It’s more 6 apartments than a hotel but the rooms are amazing. Very modern, super clean. What sets this place apart in addition to the great rooms are the staff. They are absolutely lovely - especially the women who made our breakfast and dinner. Nothing was too much trouble and unlike some places the warmth and friendliness appeared genuine. This was our first stop in Costa Rica and it truly made us happy that we had picked this hotel. Don’t hesitate when booking, just book it you won’t be disappointed.

Out of the 29 countries I’ve visited and all of the places I’ve stayed, this hotel has THE BEST hospitality. Their communication was exceptional from the beginning. We missed the last public boat to Tortuguero and they helped arrange a private boat for us. Our rooms were always clean and the staff was so friendly. It was really nice to have comfortable beds, air conditioning and hot water if we wanted it. When I come back to Tortuguero, I will definitely stay here again. Thank you so much for everything!

Sweet little gem of spot in Tortuguero. Super friendly staff with spotlessly clean and very comfortable rooms. They have a great guide in Bernie. Watch spider monkeys clamber over the roof with toucans and macaws overhead -- paradise!

Really nice hotel in Tortuguero close to the beach and main street. The rooms were nice with comfortable beds, and everything was really clean. For breakfast we could choose Traditional or American, and it was always served with fresh fruit and coffee. The staff helped us book tours to Tortuguero and borrowed us binoculars and flashlights. We really enjoyed our stay and would book again 😊

I liked the hotel first of all it was walking distance from the beach, super clean, and the staff were all super friendly always ready to help in any way one needed them. They accommodated all our requests with a smiley face. The food was very tasty and if we suggested any other type of food they wanted to please us and prepared it for us the next time.

Hotel Serendipity's staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful - for example (1) meeting us at the main boat pier on arrival and escorting us, carrying our luggage on a cart, to the hotel, (2) discussing and arranging an excellent birdwatching tour, (3) general housekeeping including fast turnround on laundry. The hotel is very new and pleasant with a central covered courtyard for meals. Location is near the Reserve and the beach but also near a small supermarket and a short walk into the main town.