Description
Tortugal is situated on an island, separated from the land by small rivers. The name, which means “home of the turtles”, was given to the hotel by its owner, Daphne Becker. Daphne is an American who opened the hotel 13 years ago to provide a refuge for travelers, nature and animals alike. Tortugal is a good option on Rio Dulce for a romantic getaway or a family vacation with decent prices and great food. It is a small hotel that mostly caters to sailors parking their boats or catamarans during hurricane season or longer. Different types of rooms are available, but all with great views of the jungle or lake. Above the restaurant is a clubhouse with satellite TV, a selection of DVDs, a library, internet and a pool table. Although you may just want to climb into a hammock and relax. They claim that the lake water is clean for swimming there but you can also take out one of their kayaks free of charge and explore that way.

Tortugal is close to the town of Fronteras and has on demand water taxi service—free for arrival and departure. All other trips are 10Q per person.

Insider Tips
On Wednesdays and Saturdays the bar at the nearby Hotel Backpackers can get pretty lively with locals and travelers dancing and drinking. If you’re nice to him, John may be willing to take you and bring you back by boat for Q20 per person and stay for as long as you like.

Internet costs Q20 per day for all the time you want.

Talk up the sailors—many of them have interesting stories. Ask Richard about his world water skiing record!

Benefits
- Tortugal has everything you need—you can set up tours with them, take out a kayak, check your email, eat amazing food, get cheap beer at the bar, play pool or check out a book. Even rent a movie to watch in the clubhouse! Or just hang out in a hammock and relax—Rio Dulce is the perfect place for that.

Drawbacks
- The Guatemalan kitchen staff can be particularly unfriendly with poor service in the restaurant. But the managers and owner are friendly and very willing to answer questions.
- It’s a small hotel so if you are looking for a very lively atmosphere this may not be the best spot. On the other hand, because it is small, people tend to be more welcoming and talkative—especially those sailors who have been there for an extended stay.
- The bathrooms are communal but very nice and clean and very close to the rooms and bungalows. Since it is a small hotel there was hardly any traffic. They also boast the best showers in Guatemala. They are pretty incredible with very hot water and great pressure.

Rooms
There are three large bungalows with back walls opening out to the jungle providing a beautiful, romantic atmosphere. They also have three smaller rooms with twin beds that are also very nice but are above the laundry and bathroom areas and can be a little noisy when the dryer is on.

The ranchito is dorm style with four twin beds. This area is under a thatched roof but completely open air and has no privacy since the people down below can see up and in. You have to climb a ladder to get up to it and each bed has a big trunk where you can lock your belongings. Its cheap at only US$7.50 per bed per night and a fun experience but better for kids. The bathrooms are also a hike from the ranchito. Make sure you use the mosquito net up there! Cabins w/private bath US$25 for Single US$36, for Double; Cabines w/out private bath US$16 for Single, US$21 for Double; Bungalows Q160.

Food
The open-air restaurant is right on the water - literally over the water on stilts, connecting the two sides of the marina. Prices are reasonable. Breakfast is between Q20-40 for eggs and beans, French toast, or a breakfast burrito. Portions are not as big as they are for lunch or dinner. Lunch is between Q20 and 35 for burgers, nachos, burritos, and sandwiches are only Q15. They will also pack you a picnic to go if you are planning an excursion for the day. Dinner runs between Q20 and 65 ranging from simple rice and beans or bean soup to fresh seafood (Q55-65) or shrimp to steak (45) or chicken (35) prepared various ways. All food is spectacular.

Liquados were a little inconsistent and they also have a full bar that stays open as long as John, the manager, is willing once the kitchen staff leaves.

Children
This is a great place for kids to explore and some of the boats parked in the marina have children living on them from all over the world who are happy to acquire new playmates. However, there isn’t too much room for running around without driving the people in the restaurant crazy. The only other potential problem is that they may have to stay in a separate room since none of the rooms offer more than a queen or two twin beds. If they are a little older and trustworthy, let them stay in the ranchito—the dorm. Its like being in Swiss Family Robinson—you have to climb up a ladder to get there and its just four twin beds in each corner under the sloping thatched roof.

	Information:
	Location Rio Dulce; tortugalhotel@hotmail.com