Just as human opposites meet here, mate and never really say goodbye, so too do the turtles, who somehow always return to the same costa rica shores. If seeing turtles is on your bucket list, then read on to find out where the best places are to see sea turtles in costa rica, costa rica turtle tours, best time to see turtles and more. With costa rica at the forefront of marine turtle conservation, you can enjoy the increasingly rare sight of sea turtles in their natural, wild habitats, coming ashore and nesting. In this case, during june and july is the nesting seasons, and during late july, august, september and october until november they hatch. The first turtle of the season showed up on october 25th and since then the national park is making tours every night.
The leatherback sea turtle is protected under the endangered species act, and numerous conservation organizations strive to preserve important nesting beaches. Playa grande, just north of tamarindo, is costa ricas goto destination to spot leatherbacks, the worlds largest sea turtle at six feet long and up to 1,500 pounds. Every year during the turtle nesting season in costa rica between the months of november and january, the magnificent sea turtles seek the costa rican beaches which have become a safe haven to continue. Ostional turtle nesting tour will take you to be a witness of some of the biggest olive ridley turtle arrivals. This unique phenomenon only occurs in nine locations around the world. If youre flexible with your destinations its possible to see them nest andor hatch nearly anytime you plan to visit. The marked trail along the beach is used mostly for observing turtle nesting, but the best way to see most of the park is from a boat. Find out more about the best nesting seasons to see sea turtlesa in costa rica, both along the caribbean and along the pacific coast.
Not many know this but there are several different types of costa rica turtles that come each year. Ostional wildlife reserve, santa rosa national park the olive ridley turtle nests on the pacific side of costa rica with the highest numbers found on the guanacaste coastline. Leatherback turtles kick off nesting season, lumbering up the beach from marchmay. Set along costa ricas northeastern caribbean coast, tortuguero is the most important nesting site for the endangered green sea turtle in the western hemisphere. Specifically, what months are they nesting and what months are they hatching on the caribbean side and what months are they nesting and what months are they. Tortuguero national park, located in the northern caribbean slope region, is the third most visited park in costa rica. Guanacaste turtle nesting is a great opportunity to observe one of the natural marvels in the world. I am interested in figuring out when turtles nest and hatch all over costa rica.
Most people automatically assume that since its namesake is the sea turtle that tortuguero is the place to head to experience this incredible phenomenon, but except in the peak of the atlantic green chelonias mydas nesting season july through october, youre not guaranteed sightings. After october it is more common to see babies hatching. The weather tends to be hot and rainfree over there. Night tours are available through the playa grande minae headquarters between october 20 and february 15. This map of costa rica points out the turtle nesting sites and the season, depending on the species. For example, in tortuguero, to see the turtles hatch, it is preferable to visit the area during the months of september and october. Costa rica is considered as a paradise for turtle nesting. We come upon a female leatherback turtle, laboriously laying its eggs in a nest she dug in the sand. Sea turtle conservation in costa rica volunteer programs. This is one of the few costa rican national parks where walking quietly isnt necessarily the best way to see things. The ostional wildlife refuge was created in 1984 to protect the area from poachers stealing the sea turtle eggs. Costa rica is known for its amazing wildlife, and one of the most beloved creatures found in the guanacaste region is the pacific green turtle. Sea turtle nesting season in costa rica costa rica.
Ostional wildlife refuge is a protected turtle nesting refuge located north of nosara on the nicoya peninsula. Featuring two stunning coastlines the pacific in the west and the caribbean in the east this tiny central american country attracts hundreds of thousands of endangered sea turtles ready to lay their eggs each year. Ecotourism in costa rica has brought attention to the sea turtles plight and helped fund continuing efforts to monitor and protect the leatherback sea turtle. Thousands of turtles have arrived at the ostional coastline of costa rica, in the annual wildlife phenomenon arribada. A global biodiversity hotspot, costa rica boasts essential nesting sites for four of the worlds seven sea turtle species. For example, olive ridleys nest along the pacific coast throughout the year, however, it is during the rainy season when they are most seen.
Guide to costa rica sea turtle nesting tours costa rica vacations. Rpt aims to contribute to the fields of biological research and sciencebased conservation management as well as fomenting a culture of environmental conservation in the areas. Leatherbacks, green sea turtles, pacific green sea turtles, olive ridleys, hawksbills, and loggerheads all crawl up costa rican beaches at night to lay eggs in the sand. Sea turtle nesting in costa rica, a breathtaking natural. Official guide required to get in the refuge for turtle watching. Ostional, costa rica turtles, turtles, ostional, costa rica. Temperature variation is very small from one season to the next and from daytime to nighttime, with a very small difference from the hottest to the coldest. For example, olive ridleys nest along the pacific coast throughout the year, however, it is. Costa rica sea turtle nesting season best time to see turtles nest. The five species of sea turtles in costa rica are the olive ridley sea turtle.
Reserva playa tortuga is a nonprofit research center for sea turtle and environmental conservation in the terrabasierpe basin of costa rica. Turtle watching in playa grande is must do for travelers who visit. Sea turtle nesting, hatching seasons costa rica costa rica. Considered the birthplace of ecotourism, costa ricas coast is home to dozens of important nesting beaches for four turtle speciesleatherback, green.
Prices are lower for hotels and activities because it is officially the costa rica green season. Each turtle lays approximately 100 pingpong sized eggs per night and buries them in the sand. Leatherback hatchling survival is closely tied to temperatures within the nest and a new study indicates that rising average temperatures over the course of the century could reduce hatching success by as much as 60 percent. Sea turtle observation at camaronal beach enter costa rica. This makes this national wildlife refuge a very important sea turtle conservation project. Costa ricas north caribbean is arguably the countrys most iconic site for sea turtle nesting. The first one and possibly the most popular is the olive ridley sea turtle. Considered the birthplace of ecotourism, costa rica s coast is home to dozens of important nesting beaches for four turtle speciesleatherback, green, hawksbill, and olive ridley. If you have a chart or information that specifies the nesting and hatching habits of each type of sea turtle. Only oliveridleys and their close relatives, kemps sea turtles, the latter an atlantic species synchronize their nesting in mass emergences or arribadas, the spanish word for arrivals.
But what makes ostional beach so special is the size of the arribadas, or arrivals. Green sea turtles nest from june to october along the north caribbean, especially in tortuguero. Considered the birthplace of ecotourism, costa ricas coast is home to dozens of important nesting beaches for four turtle speciesleatherback, green, hawksbill, and olive ridley. Included in this tour are a bilingual guide, fruit snack, drink and transportation. The ostional wildlife refuge in costa rica was created in 1984 to protect one of the worlds most important nesting sites of the olive ridley sea turtle. There are specific times of the year when you can witness sea turtles nesting and hatching on a grand scale in costa rica.
Sea turtle hatching seasons the best times and regions to see the spawning or hatching of sea turtles are different, depending on the species and the region. However, if youre visiting during nesting season, its worth checking with your hotel if an arribada is taking place. Sea turtle nesting, hatching seasons costa rica costa. Reserva playa tortuga is a nonprofit biological research and education center formed in 2009 by community members citizen scientists and costa rican scientists. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to view their nesting on the shores of playa grande that is located right next to tamarindo. The turtle nesting is an unforgettable experience and in costa rica, you and your family will be able to enjoy this moment if you travel in the correct season. Getty only one out of 1,000 hatchlings has a chance of survival at sea. Oct 22, 2018 costa rica is home to five of the seven species of sea turtles, making it one of the best places to see turtles in the world.
This facility is situated on an isolated beach in the jungle that can be. A guide to costa ricas sea turtles and where to find them. Loggerheads nest from july through october, while hawksbills inhabit the. Did you know that costa rica is the preferred nesting ground for six different species of sea turtle. When a nest is found, volunteers wait for the sea turtle to return to the ocean, and then recover the eggs carefully in plastic bags to bring them to the hatchery to be safe from predators. The leatherback turtle populations in costa rica have been signifcantly decimated though, so seeing these gentle giants is not always a guarantee even during the peak season. Costa rica turtle nesting happens yearround on both the pacific and caribbean coasts, although your chances of spotting turtles increase during the green season months of may through november. Hawksbills typically nest on the caribbean coast of costa rica. Sea turtle nesting in costa rica is an incredible natural event that will be a highlight of your vacation for both adults and children. Female sea turtles have an inherent nesting instinct that drives them back to their natal beach to lay eggs. Both the caribbean and the pacific shores host numerous nesting sites that are critical for the continuation of large numbers of each species. Jun, 2017 ostional wildlife refuge is a protected turtle nesting refuge located north of nosara on the nicoya peninsula. Just stopped last night by the national parks office.
Specifically, what months are they nesting and what months are they hatching on the caribbean side and what months are they nesting and what months are they hatching on the pacific side. Although global sea turtle populations have declined by roughly 95%, costa rica has taken important steps to protect these magnificent creatures. Costa rica map of turtle nesting, tour operator in costa rica. This guide will give you all the info to see these amazing creatures for yourself. An endangered leatherback sea turtle crawls toward the sea at playa grande on the northwest coast of costa rica. Just south of dominical, ballena national marine park the famed whales tale hosts both olive ridley and hawksbill turtles. The tamarindo turtle nesting tour features a giant and one of a kind leatherback sea turtle which is considered to be one of costa ricas national treasures. Costa rica conservation project protects endangered turtles. The name of this beach is spanish for turtle beach because of the numerous turtles that come to. Turtle nesting and hatching calendar and locations in costa rica it looks complicated at first but the chart of when and where to see turtles and whales is really simple. The main attraction within the refuge is ostional beach, the largest of two locations in costa rica where the annual arribada, or the arrival of olive ridley sea turtles takes place. Volunteer with sea turtles in costa rica and support the protection of these endangered marine animals.
Unlike the hawkbill, the green turtle doesnt have a curved snout but rather a very flat one. Between the months of july and october they represent the most important season of turtle nesting in costa rica. When they hatch each egg is repopulating the ecosystem with sea turtles and strengthening the life lineage of turtle species in costa rica and worldwide. Sea turtles in tortuguero costa rica, a turtle haven. Affordable volunteer turtle conservation program in costa rica. Sea turtles, like the green and hawksbill, come ahosre in tortuguero to lay their eggs. In monteverde, we will stay in bunkhouses at the university of georgia costa rica campus. But whatever you do, be sure to include a turtletour on your itinerary. So as soon as i got the itinerary, like a kid i made sure this was on there, and sure enough we spent two amazing nights watching sea turtles in tortuguero national park. Sea turtle nesting season in costa rica puerto viejo, costa.
The best time and place to see sea turtles in costa rica. Witness a female leatherback sea turtles make her way up shore and carefully lay 50 to 200 fragile eggs in the soft sand. As the smallest sea turtle found in costa rica it is often seen not too far from the shoreline. I was ridiculously excited about my first trip to costa rica, its a destination thats been high on my hit list for a long time, and watching sea turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean is on my bucket list. Sea turtle nesting night tour costa rica discount tours. July through october is the peak nesting and hatching season for the green sea turtle.
Female leatherbacks dig holes with their flippers and lay about 80 round eggs, a process theyll. From turtle nesting to the season s best whitewater rafting, a look at whats going on every month in costa rica. Perhaps one of the most popular destinations for viewing turtles in costa rica is tortuguero. Costa rica tortuguero sea turtle nesting classic journeys. Costa rica weather by month full break down costa rica vibes. Best places to see turtles in costa rica class adventure. On some costa rican beaches sea turtle populations are even increasing on beaches where sea turtles nest, trained guides show. The numbers of turtles coming to ostional beach for nesting purposes increases as the rainy season peaks, the biggest arribadas occur on the coolest months from may to november, with a 40 to 50 days hatchling period. Just as human opposites meet here, mate and never really say goodbye, so too do the turtles, who somehow always return to. At last, the triumphant return of the mighty leatherback sea turtle. Ostional, costa rica turtles, turtles, ostional, costa. Even though turtle conservation will be a main part of your activities, you might also have the opportunity to conduct jaguars and aquatic birds research, as well as carrying out biological assessment surveys of the area, contributing to longterm conservation efforts along costa ricas caribbean coast.
Green sea turtles tortuguero national park is one of the most important green turtle nesting sites in the world, making these 300350pound endangered giants costa ricas most famous sea. Many of the remaining pacific leatherbacks nest in the sands of playa grande, playa ventanas, and playa langosta on the pacific coast of costa rica. Also, it is turtle season in tortuguero, so it is the perfect time to head to the east coast of the. Green sea turtle chelonia mydas leaving ostional beach after depositing its eggs, costa rica. Thirdly the green sea turtle and lastly the leatherback sea turtle. Now that you are convinced you must visit this amazing part of costa rica, here is some information that will help make your trip great. The small caribbean village of tortuguero from tortuga, or turtle has been transformed by ecotourism, which focuses on sea turtle nesting at the eponymous tortuguero national park.
Five species and one subspecies of sea turtle live and nest in costa rica. See turtles supports the work of local organizations to protect critical nesting habitat. Sea turtles lay eggs on beaches on both the pacific and caribbean shores of costa rica every month of the year which in turn means hatchlings are emerging somewhere every day. The best times and regions to see the spawning or hatching of sea turtles are different, depending on the species and the region.
Every year, between october to march, our coastal community waits patiently for the arrival of these gentle giants. A sea turtle camp staff member will stay on site, providing 24 hour same gender supervision. Each species of turtle found in costa rica has its own season and preferred region for nesting. We absolutely love that you can see sea turtles in costa rica on both the pacific and caribbean coast at different times throughout the year. Leatherbacks are also extremely endangered and even at the peak of their nesting season in march and april youd be very lucky to. Leatherback sea turtles are an endangered species, therefore the entire playa grande coastline is devoted to the protection of this rare nesting ground. The most famous green sea turtle nesting site in costa rica is on the. The university of costa rica has a station here, as well as a minaet, that in cooperation with tourist police regulate the only legal turtle egg harvest project in the world. Tamarindo leatherback turtle nesting season started. Costa rica weather by month full break down costa rica. Costa rica is home to four main species of sea turtles. Best places to see turtles in costa rica class adventure travel. Guanacaste turtle nesting tour, guanacaste tours, costa rica. There are volunteer programs for both olive ridley, as well as leatherback turtles.
An event that you will definitely not want to miss. In july there is also usually a twoweek break from the rain. The best season is between the months of august through december, especially during the week before the new moon. Covid19 travel restrictions are further endangering sea. Sea turtle nesting in costa rica, a breathtaking natural wonder. Walking in a group, quietly, on the cool sand of playa grande in guanacaste, our way guided by a full moon. They line the nations coasts, east and west, from nicaragua to panama. Costa rica is barely the size of west virginia, yet it has more biodiversity than anywhere else on earth. Sea turtle nesting season in costa rica puerto viejo.
Playa tortuga, costa rica city guide go visit costa rica. All girls teen costa rica marine biology camp sea turtle camp. Costa rica sea turtles hatching season in costa rica. Watching baby sea turtles in tortuguero, costa rica. Tortuguero is the most important sea turtle nesting ground in all of centralamerica for the green sea turtle, that arrives in tortuguero costa rica.
Tortuguero national park, northern caribbean coast. From the middle of july to the end of october is considered the dry season of the area, however you can experience regular rains. Aug 09, 20 set along costa rica s northeastern caribbean coast, tortuguero is the most important nesting site for the endangered green sea turtle in the western hemisphere. Sep 14, 2017 costa rica turtle nesting happens yearround on both the pacific and caribbean coasts, although your chances of spotting turtles increase during the green season months of may through november. The green sea turtle is found on both sides of costa rica and is larger than the last two turtles. Sea turtle conservation in costa rica has become an important topic as the numbers of sea turtles worldwide have been declining due to overfishing, poaching and desctruction of nesting beaches. Costa rica turtles nesting times and when to visit. This map of costa rica points out the turtle nesting sites and the season, depending on the specie. Turtle breeding season varies by region around costa rica but overall the most turtles can be found around costa rica around the beginning of july to the end of octoberish. Nestled on the pacific coast, playa tortuga in puntarenas, costa rica, is a great stop for travelers who want to enjoy the beach, beautiful scenery and the local wildlife. Costa rica is famous for wildlife watching, and nesting sea turtles are one of the countrys highlights. And they can be spotted yearround, each with its own season. The best time to see them nesting and hatching is from march to october. Its sea turtle season at matapalo beach, costa rica.