The Marina we decided on while in the Rio Dulce was Tortugal. We loved it. Frank, the German owner, has about 20 acres and he artistically has built bamboo walk ways, small cabanas, and a thatched roof resturant/bar with a communal game room upstairs with a pool table, TV, and library.
Our first night there a large group of young, mostly Australian backpackers were staying there. We met in the communal game room, got to talking, laughing, listening to music, which of course lead to strip pool. I think it will come as no surprise who lost all of his clothes first. Conor claimed “pool sharking” while everyone stood around him with maybe one less flip flop on. We were really enjoying the evening when seemingly out of nowhere, a guy comes into the room and ordered everyone to keep it down, as he was currently trying to sleep. Where did this guy come from I thought? And why isn’t he addressing the naked guy leaning on the railing right next to him, inconspicuously holding a beer can over his. . . Whatever, I felt a little like I was partying in my dorm room and the RA just rapped on the door to tell us to quiet down. Although I had several warm Guatemalan beers coursing through me, and I was slightly distracted by naked Conor playing pool, I recognized him as the one of the workers at the restaurant. We felt bad for keeping him up, but honestly, who picks a room adjacent to the communal game room? And it was only 10:30, not 2:30. It only took one more irritated comment about 20 minutes later to fully end the party, which was probably for the best. I was only wearing three articles of clothing anyway.
Besides the inconvenient room placement for the workers, Tortugal was a great fit for us. We moored out away from the slips, thus giving us a better breeze off the river and the freedom to let the dogs roam the deck of the boat without worrying they will jump off and go beg at the restaurant. The marina was a short dingy ride to town, there was free water that tasted ok, the cost was $5USD/night and there was long path through out the property where we let the dogs run and burn off some energy. We enjoyed our stay at Tortugal. We know Penny jumped off the boat unnoticed more than once, that we showered in the river in view of your other guests even though you have shower facilities, and that Conor’s butt rested on your gorgeous bamboo railings so, thank you, Frank, for not kicking us out.
M.
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| The view from Gualby looking at Tortugal |
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| Walking back towards the marina |
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| View of the property along our morning walks |
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| Bamboo Walkways |
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