Costa Rica is not only home to five species of sea turtles (leatherback, green, loggerhead, hawksbill, and Olive Ridley), but also to three of the most important nesting sites in the world. Marine turtles nest on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. The most important nesting sites are Manzanillo in the south Caribbean for the leatherback, Ostional National Wildlife Refuge for the Olive Ridley, and Tortuguero for the green sea turtle.

Luckily for all of these turtles, there are several strong turtle conservation projects led by biologists, conservationists, and dedicated park rangers. As part of these ongoing projects, you can take a guided night tour and watch these amazing creatures as they make their way up the beach to lay their eggs. All proceeds go to support the turtle conservation projects.

Where will You Be?

• North Caribbean (Tortuguero)
• South Caribbean (Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo or Cahuita)
• North Pacific (Tamarindo, Flamingo, Coco, Samara)
• South Pacific (Dominical, Drake Bay, Puerto Jimenez)

There are several volunteer opportunities available in Costa Rica. Contact us to find one right for you.

Did You Know?

Adult female green sea turtles come back to their natal beach every two to three years. They nest several times in one season each time laying up to 80 - 120 eggs. The eggs incubate for 60 days before hatching. If you're lucky, you might get to see the little hatchlings make their epic journey to the sea.

Where & When to See Them?

The North Caribbean

Tortuguero National Park is the largest nesting site for the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the Western Hemisphere. In total, the North Caribbean region has four species of turtles nesting on their protected beaches:

• The green sea turtle nests July - October. Annually, there are an average of 100,000 nests per season made by anywhere between 18,500 - 40,000 individual turtles.
• Loggerheads come in much smaller numbers at the same time (July - October).
• The leatherback (largest marine turtle in the world) arrives March - May. There are an average of 400 - 1000 nests per year.
• The hawksbill's season runs March - October, less than 50 nests are recorded annually.

Contact us for a great tour.

The South Caribbean

Gandoca- Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge hosts four species of marine turtles: the loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green, hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea). For over 20 years the ANAI conservation organization has been a main component in protecting and researching the nesting habits of turtles in this region. Contact us for tour information.

• Leatherback season: March - Jul, with peak months being April and May.

• A bit further north in Cahuita, the hawksbill sea turtles come to lay their eggs on Playa Negra from April - October.

The North Pacific

When the Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) come to lay their eggs, they don't come out one by one, but in huge waves known as arribadas which is thousands to tens of thousands of turtles at a time. The most popular place to visit and see this phenomena is in Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. The Olive Ridley comes ashore all year long here, but in the greatest numbers from May thru December during the highest tides of the month. During the peak months August to October, you are almost guaranteed to spot a turtle on any night. Contact us to reserve a spot on a tour.

The Olive Ridley also comes ashore at Playa Nancite in northern Guanacaste near Santa Rosa National Park from June - December, with peak months being September & October. They arrive here too in arribadas, coinciding with the high tides of the month.

One of the five most significant leatherback turtle beaches in the world is Playa Grande at the Las Baulas National Marine Park. Between the months of October thru February, with rare sightings in March, you can sign up for a guided night tour and see this magical giant lay her eggs. Contact us for a tour.

The South Pacific

Take a tour of Marino Ballena National Park and see the hawksbill and Olive Ridley turtles lay their eggs anytime from May to November.

Most of the turtle preservation projects in the south Pacific are run by the Osa Sea Turtle Conservation in Drake Bay. There is an ongoing debate whether or not the black turtle, which nests sporadically along the coast of the Osa Peninsula, is a sub-species of the green sea turtle or its own species. Contact us and find out for yourself.

Insider Facts

Turtle numbers have been highly affected due to many factors, development and pollution to name a few. In order for us to be able to continue to observe these gentle giants on their home turfs, it is extremely important that we do so in an environmentally friendly way. Please respect the laws and only go on turtle tours with licensed guides or park rangers. Also, observe requests to stay off turtle nesting beaches at night.

Turtles are ultra sensitive to ambient light, so cameras, video or flash photography are strictly prohibited at night. The rangers and biologist are working hard so we leave as small of a footprint as possible so that the turtles keep coming back.

• Be prepared for a turtle tour. Pack dark clothing, long pants and closed toed shoes.
• Note: All our night turtle photos were taken using infrared night vision. No damaging light or flash was used.

Tours & Packages

Let us arrange this magical experience for you. Contact us if you'd like to coordinate your vacation to coincide with one of these egg laying events.