What to see in Costa Rica: an unforgettable experience between ocean and nature with sea turtles

Costa Rica is a dream destination for those who love nature and wildlife, and on your “What to see in Costa Rica” list you cannot miss sea turtles. Among the most fascinating experiences you can have is undoubtedly the observation of these fantastic and prehistoric animals, a wonder that is repeated every year when these ancient creatures return to the beaches to lay their eggs. Six different species visit its shores each year to nest, and with any luck, you might be able to witness the eggs hatching and see the turtle hatchlings running out to sea. That’s why we thought we’d point you to the best places to observe sea turtles in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica’s sea turtle species.

Olive turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

The olive tortoise is famous for its spectacular “arribadas,” times when thousands of sea turtles come up to the beaches en masse to lay their eggs. This unique phenomenon occurs in few places in the world.

When to see it: from July to November, during the arribadas.

Where: Playa Ostional, Nicoya Peninsula, Pacific coast.

How to get there: Playa Ostional is about a 30-minute drive from Nosara, a popular location among surfers. From San José, you can rent a car and drive about 4-5 hours to the northern Pacific coast, following the Panamericana to Nicoya and then heading west to Nosara. There are also buses that connect San José to Nosara.

Entrance fee: $10 USD for access to the Playa Ostional protected area. Certified local guides offer tours that cost between $25 and $40 USD per person, depending on the group.

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

The green turtle, with its smooth, rounded shell, is one of the largest sea turtle species. On the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, it can be observed laying eggs on pristine beaches.

When to see it: from July to October.

Where: Parque Nacional Tortuguero, on the Caribbean coast.

How to get there: Tortuguero is only accessible by boat or plane. Most visitors take a bus from San José to La Pavona (about 3-4 hours), from where you can take a water cab that will take you to the village of Tortuguero (about 1 hour). Alternatively, there are domestic flights from San José to Tortuguero Airport.

Admission cost: The entrance fee to the park is $15 USD for adults. Guided night tours to see the turtles cost about $30-40 USD per person.

Lute Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

With a length that can exceed 2 meters, the loggerhead tur tle is the largest of all sea turtle species. This giant of the sea is unfortunately endangered, which makes its sighting even more special.

When to see it: from March to June.

Where: Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, near Playa Grande, North Pacific coast.

How to get there: Playa Grande is just a few kilometers from Tamarindo, one of Costa Rica’s most popular resorts. From San Jose, you can reach Tamarindo by internal flight (about 45 minutes) or by car (about a 4-5 hour drive). Playa Grande is about a 15-minute drive from Tamarindo, and there are numerous hotels in the area.

Admission cost: Admission to the park is $12 USD for adults. Night tours to see the lute turtles cost between $30 and $50 USD.

Embricated Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Famous for its complexly patterned and colorful shell, the hawksbill is one of the world’s most endangered sea turtle species. Although it is not easy to spot it, you can try along the Caribbean coasts.

When to see it: from March to October.

Where: Playa Manzanillo, near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, southern Caribbean coast.

How to get there: Playa Manzanillo is located about 12 kilometers south of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. From San Jose, you can take a direct bus to Puerto Viejo (about 5 hours) or rent a car and follow the highway to the Caribbean coast. From Puerto Viejo, Playa Manzanillo can be reached in 20 minutes by car or bicycle.

Cost of admission: free. Manzanillo is part of a protected nature reserve where entry is free, but we still recommend that you visit with a local guide (approximate cost $20-30 USD per person).

Kemp’s turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)

This sea turtle species is extremely rare and spotting it is considered an exceptional occurrence. It nests sporadically along Pacific beaches and may be spotted during olive arribadas.

When to see it: very rare, but possible during olive season.

Where: Playa Nancite, in Parque Nacional Santa Rosa, northern Pacific coast.

How to get there: Playa Nancite is located in a remote area within Parque Nacional Santa Rosa, accessible only by 4×4 vehicles or through organized excursions. From San Jose, you can drive to Liberia (about 4 hours) and then follow the signs to the park. Guided tours are the best option to reach the beach.

Entrance fee: $15 USD for park entrance. Guided turtle watching tours cost about $40-50 USD.

Caretta caretta (Caretta caretta)

Also known as the “common tortoise,” the loggerhead turtle Caretta is less frequent than other sea turtle species, but can be spotted during the nesting season along both coasts of the country.

When to see it: from June to November.

Where: Its nesting is mainly observed near Playa Nancite and Parque Nacional Tortuguero.

How to get there: For Parque Nacional Tortuguero, follow the same directions as described above. For Playa Nancite, you can access via Parque Nacional Santa Rosa with a 4×4 vehicle or by booking a guided excursion.

Entrance fee: $15 USD to access Parque Nacional Santa Rosa or Parque Nacional Tortuguero.

Tips

• Respect the environment: do not touch sea turtles or interfere with their path to the sea. Artificial lights and loud noises can disorient them.
• Book excursions with local guides-they are mandatory in many protected areas and offer you a richer experience because of their knowledge.
• Red flashlight: If you are participating in a night tour, use a flashlight with a red filter so as not to disturb the sea turtles. Usually flashlights are provided by tour operators, alternatively you can easily find them online.

Conclusions
Costa Rica offers an extraordinary opportunity to get close to these incredible sea creatures in a responsible way. Plan your trip, choose one of the suggested locations, and get ready for an experience you will remember for a lifetime! An itinerary in Costa Rica cannot fail to include a stop dedicated to sea turtles, especially at one of the times indicated in this guide.