Tortuga Lodge & Gardens

It’s all about the wild at La Tortuga: the lodge abuts Tortuguero National Park – the best location in the Americas to see nesting and hatchling turtles – and sits beside rivers and forests filled with life. It’s the only hotel in the area to have its own private reserve and it offers a full menu of wildlife excursions – from boat rides on the crocodile-filled rivers to birdwatching.

Accommodation is kid-friendly – with suites, a pool and excursions suitable for kids over 10. The open-sided Green Turtle restaurant makes the most of the spectacular forest views by day; in the evening, lit by tiki torches and candles, it feels wonderfully atmospheric.