The official records may show about two million visitors to Costa Rica each year, but that number doesn’t include the tens of thousands of sea turtles that grace our beaches. Indeed, turtle nesting is a big deal in Costa Rica – and for great reason! So, whether you’re seeking an official Ostional turtle tour or casually hoping to spot these gentle giants, we have all the details.
Year after year, five species of sea turtles – olive ridleys, leatherbacks, loggerheads, hawksbills, and green sea turtles – come to shore. These gentle sea giants, which are classified as vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered species, lay hundreds of thousands of eggs on Costa Rican beaches. Weeks later, their tiny hatchlings emerge from sandy nests to make their way to the sea.
Whether you’re an animal lover, a wildlife conservationist, or just the average tourist, sea turtle nesting is a must for your To-Do list. The sight itself, not to mention its environmental significance, is incredible to witness and deeply moving – something everyone should see for themselves at least once.
So, where should you go and when should you book a turtle tour? And what villa in Costa Rica should your choose, as far as turtle nesting proximity is concerned? We have all the info you need.
Turtle Tours in Costa Rica
First things first: guided turtle tours are the best (and often only) way to see sea turtles in Costa Rica.
Why? Well, to start, an official Playa Grande or Ostional turtle tour (our region) is often the only legal way to watch sea turtles nest. And even when it isn’t, guided tours keep turtles safe. A good tour is environmentally responsible, taking care to protect nesting sites, turtles, turtle nests, and new hatchlings.
Often, you can arrange a guided turtle tour directly with a park ranger through a national park or wildlife refuge (Spanish recommended!). When that’s not an option, we are happy to help you arrange a tour with alicensed guide. You’ll know an eco-responsible tour when you see it: they’ll make it clear that brightly colored clothing, flash photography, and video are strictly prohibited, as turtles are extremely sensitive to ambient light.
When turtle-watching, keep your environmental impact to a minimum. Across the board, sea turtle species range from vulnerable to critically endangered: please don’t do anything that could possibly affect their nesting and/or hatching!
Five sea turtle species of live, nest, and hatch in Costa Rica: They are the hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead, olive ridley, and green sea turtle. Some species can be found on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, while others stick to just one coast. Here’s the rundown:
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Olive ridley sea turtles, sometimes called Pacific ridley sea turtles, are on the small side at around 2 feet long and 55-110 lbs. They are the most abundant sea turtle in the world – and even so, they’re still an endangered or vulnerable species, depending on the measurement. Olive ridleys are unique in that they often nest in arribadas: mass nesting events, during which thousands (or tens/hundreds of thousands!) of turtles nest over several nights. Arribadas usually occur around the new moon.
In Costa Rica, olive ridleys are most common on the Pacific coast. Arribadas are common at Playa Ostional and Playa Nancinte, with annual nesting calculated at 600,000 to 750,000 turtles. For this, your best bet is a Ostional turtle tour.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
The massive leatherback sea turtle – also called lute turtle, leathery turtle, or simply the luth – is the world’s largest living turtle, at 8 feet and up to 1,500 lbs. It’s also the fourth-largest of all reptiles, second only to three crocodilians. In addition to its size, the leatherback’s most distinctive feature is its lack of a traditional turtle shell; instead, its body is covered with a leather-like confection of oily skin and flesh.
In Costa Rica, leatherbacks nest on both Caribbean and Pacific beaches.
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Known for its unique hooked bill, similar to a hawk’s, hawksbill sea turtles are medium-sized at 3 feet longand 100-150 lbs. They are the most tropical of all sea turtles, sticking closely to the warm waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They only nest at intervals of two or more years, but during their nesting season, they’ll nest two to four times.
In Costa Rica, hawksbill sea turtles are most common in the Caribbean turtle hotspot of Tortuguero.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Named for their comparatively large heads, loggerhead sea turtles measure about 3 feet long and 150-500 lbs. at maturity; the very largest loggerheads can grow up to a striking 1,000 lbs. Even more remarkable: from hatchling to adult, these ocean wonders increase their weight more than 6,000 times – a pretty impressive feat!
In Costa Rica, loggerheads are uncommon but are occasionally spotted in Tortuguero.
IUCN Status: Endangered
Green sea turtles – also known as green turtles, black sea turtles, and Pacific green turtles – grow up to 4 feet and around 350 pounds and live approximately 80 years in the wild. They are found in both the Pacific and the Atlantic/Caribbean, as well as in the Indian Ocean, and are known to migrate long distances between their primary feeding grounds and nesting beaches. Interestingly, when it comes time to nest, most green sea turtles return to the very beach on which they were hatched.
In Costa Rica, green sea turtles nest primarily in Tortuguero National Park, the largest green turtle nesting site in the Western Hemisphere, from which the majority of all Caribbean green sea turtles hail.
Costa Rica’s five sea turtle species swim the seas from north to south, on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. This means that, no matter where you are and given a bit of luck, there’s a chance to spot one of these gentle giants.
The North Pacific – from our very own Las Baulas National Marine Park in Tamarindo/Playa Grande, south through Ostional on the Nicoya Peninsula – is one of two hotspots for Costa Rica sea turtle nesting.
Starting in the north: Las Baulas National Marine Park, located just north of Tamarindo, encompasses all of Playa Grande. This is Costa Rica’s most important nesting site for leatherback turtles; nesting season runs from October through March.
On the Nicoya Peninsula, Ostional National Wildlife Refuge is the spot for famed olive ridley arribadas – those mass-nesting events that bring hundreds, if not thousands of turtles ashore every night. Arribadas are common from May through November, but are most frequent between August and October. Again, for an arribada, your best bet is an Ostional turtle tour.
Heading south to Samara, you’ll reach Playa Camaronal, a nesting site for leatherback turtles, olive ridleys, hawksbills, and black sea turtles. Nesting occurs year-round but is most common during the rainy season months of May through November.
Just south of Dominical, Ballena National Marine Park (the famed whale’s tale) hosts both olive ridley and hawksbill turtles. High nesting season runs May through November.
The Osa Peninsula – Costa Rica’s last frontier, isolated and often completely wild – may not have all-day electricity or luxurious creature comforts, except at the most exclusive homes and resorts, but it does have marine turtles. Black sea turtles (currently a subspecies of green sea turtles), specifically, nest year-round.
The Osa Sea Turtle Conservation Program works to protect the peninsula’s endangered marine turtles, as well as their important nesting grounds.
The second Costa Rica turtle nesting hotspot is the northern Caribbean town of Tortuguero, home to four of the world’s eight sea turtle species: Leatherbacks, hawksbills, loggerheads, and green sea turtles all nest here.
Leatherbacks nest at Tortuguero from March through May; hawksbills are found in Tortuguero from March to October; loggerheads are less common but come to shore July through October; and green sea turtles are in town between July and October.
Though not as famous as its northern counterpart, the southern Caribbean hosts its fair share of sea turtles. Your best chances of spotting nesting mothers are in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, at the very southern tip of Costa Rica, where turtle nesting typically peaks from April through October.
Where to Go for Sea Turtle Nesting in Northwestern Costa Rica
Obviously, northwestern Costa Rica – that’s Guanacaste province, reaching down into the Nicoya Peninsula (officially Puntarenas province at the far south) – is our wheelhouse, and that’s where Tamarindo is located. We’re happy to chat at length, so feel free to get in touch, but for now, here’s an overview of our top-two choices for turtle nesting in the region:
Location: Playa Grande, north of Tamarindo
Area: 901 terrestrial acres, 54,000 marine acres
Telephone: 2653-0470 / 2653-2233
Las Baulas National Marine Park – one of the largest nesting sites in the world for the vulnerable/endangered leatherback turtle – stretches north of Tamarindo, encompassing the beaches of Playa Grande, Playa Ventanas, and Playa Carbón, plus hundreds of acres of mangrove forest.
For nature lovers, a Las Baulas turtle tour to watch these gentle giants lay their eggs is undoubtedly a must-visit during your Tamarindo vacation. (Note: Turtle nesting is a rare occasion, so be sure to verify current conditions before booking a tour.)
Las Baulas Nesting Season:
You can visit Las Baulas National Marine Park any time of year. However, if you're here for the leatherbacks, aim for the nesting season: October through March. This period coincides with much of our mid- and high-season, a popular time to visit. Hatchlings emerge a few months after nesting, with hatching extending through April and sometimes into early May.
Location: Playa Ostional, north of Nosara
Area: 791 terrestrial acres, 19,768 marine acres
Contact: info@wcanosara.org
An Ostional turtle tour tops so many lists, and rightly so! Tucked into Nosara’s pristine shores, the Ostional Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary where nature’s symphony orchestrates breathtaking marvels. This protected expanse of coastal shoreline embraces not only beautiful sands but also a profound dedication to safeguarding the marvels of Costa Rica’s vulnerable and endangered marine life.
Established in 1983, the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge was founded with a single objective: sea turtle preservation and the safeguarding of their breeding grounds. Here, sea turtles reign supreme, and biodiversity's beauty is revered and protected. This is a pivotal sanctuary for the olive ridley sea turtle – the world’s second-most significant nesting site for this vulnerable marine giant. Green and leatherback turtles also nest here.
Stretching 15 kilometers of Nosara shoreline – the refuge encompasses Playas Ostional, Nosara, Pelada, and Guiones – Ostional Wildlife Refuge extends 200 meters inland, traversing estuaries and mangroves, before dovetailing out to the Pacific, where its protections span 3 nautical miles.
Ostional Nesting Season:
With the coming of the rains, so come the turtles! July through December mark the peak months for arribadas, with olive ridley sea turtles arriving almost every night; the largest arribadas typically occur in September and October. If you’re lucky, you may even spot green turtles or the lumbering forms of endangered leatherbacks, the world’s largest sea turtle.
Where to Stay
If turtle nesting is on your Costa Rican bucket list and you’ll be visiting the North Pacific, then we’re happy to help you find the perfect villa in Costa Rica to call vacation central:
Playa Grande | 4 bedrooms | 4 baths | 12 guests
Well hello, beach lovers! When you’re craving the tranquil melody of waves crashing against the shore, Casa Colibri answers: Tucked against a backdrop of glistening sands, Casa Colibri offers a fabulous private pool boasting breathtaking sea vistas – especially mesmerizing at sunset. Just imagine unwinding with your favorite drink and basking in this serenity. It's like having your own exclusive resort experience, right here in the privacy of your own vacation home.
We've ensured this haven is stocked with everything you need for a worry-free getaway. From the fully equipped kitchen with ocean views to the cozy beds and hammocks that gently sway, we've taken care of it all. Whether you're a thrill-seeker eager to ride the waves, a wildlife enthusiast seeking leatherback turtle nesting, or simply yearning for a lazy day under the swaying palm trees, Playa Grande offers it all. And the best part? It's just steps away from your doorstep!
Playa Grande | 6 Beds | 6 Baths | 14 Guests
Step into Casa Amuga, a villa in Costa Rica and your dream retreat, just steps from the sands of Playa Grande and a short drive to Playa Ventana. Nestled in a charming surf town famed for its consistent waves and leatherback turtles, this remarkable home features a main house, a pool casita, and a separate two-bedroom casita perfect for the little ones.
Dive into the luxury of your private pool, ideal for leisurely afternoons or invigorating morning swims. Surrounded by a secluded natural sanctuary brimming with wildlife, Casa Amuga offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Your stay at is more than just accommodation—it's your gateway to relaxation and adventure. Welcome to the epitome of vacation life!
Playa Grande | 5 bedrooms | 5 baths | 12 guest
Envision escaping to the tranquility of a wildlife sanctuary. This fantasy becomes a reality at Villa Brisa del Mar, an exclusive Costa Rica holiday rental that serves as your private nature reserve adjacent to a national park and one of the globe's crucial turtle nesting grounds. Dreams truly do come true!
Secluded at the edge of the beach, Villa Brisa del Mar, meaning "Sea Breeze Villa," combines a private pool with the potential for turtle sightings. Its ocean-view patio allows you to witness pelicans, gulls, and other seabirds in their graceful flight. Take a moment with a refreshing drink in hand and simply bask in the unique beauty of this locale—an incomparable slice of life and a window into a distinctive world. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary experience of a nature-centric holiday in Costa Rica.
An original beach villa in Costa Rica in the area, Villa Brisa del Mar, now tastefully updated, seamlessly blends the charms of old Costa Rica with contemporary aesthetics. Revel in a chef-ready kitchen, a spectacular master suite, and recently redesigned interiors, all complemented by breathtaking views and iguanas as your friendly neighbors.
We’re happy to help! At Stay in Tamarindo, we really are different. We really do care about you (and Costa rica). And we really will go the extra mile.
We’re going to work hard for you, whether it’s booking an Ostional turtle tour or arranging for any other experience you have in mind. We’re going to follow up with you. And we’re going to do everything we can, to ensure that this is not just your Best Vacation Ever, but also Everything You Want It to Be.
Because that is what we mean, when we talk about our quality of service: We want to transform the way you travel. We want to deliver the best everything you’ve ever experienced – including the best value. And we want you to go home completely fulfilled, whether you came to relax for a week straight or packed your days full of every adrenaline-soaked, high-adventure activity you could fit in.