Sea Turtle Nesting Tour

About this tour

Sea turtle nesting and observation tours on the Guanacaste coast are among the most moving, quiet and respectful nature experiences in Costa Rica.

Las Baulas National Marine Park (Playa Grande, Ventanas and Langosta), just across the estuary from Tamarindo, is the classic site for protecting the leatherback turtle, the largest sea turtle in the world.

Tour highlights

• The nesting ritual: watching a turtle weighing hundreds of kilograms leave the sea, dig her nest in the sand and lay her eggs is a fascinating, deeply moving moment.
• Conservation in action: joining the tour supports protection programs and sustainable management of national parks run by SINAC.
• Hatchlings (late season): toward the end of the season, with luck, you may see tiny turtles emerge from the sand and run to the sea.

What to bring

• Dark clothing and long pants
• Insect repellent
• Patience and a quiet attitude – no flash, no white lights, no phone lights

Good to know

• The official nesting season at Las Baulas runs from October 20 to February 15.
• Flash photography and white lights (including phones) are prohibited because they disorient turtles. Only authorized guides use special red-filter lights.
• Keep silent and keep a respectful distance behind the animal.
• Wildlife can’t be scheduled: a sighting is never guaranteed on a given night. Booking with a certified guide is essential.

Frequently asked questions

When is sea turtle season near Tamarindo?

For Las Baulas National Marine Park the official nesting season runs from October 20 to February 15.

Can I take photos of the turtles?

Flash and white lights are prohibited. Only authorized guides may use red-filter flashlights, so follow your guide’s instructions.

Is a turtle sighting guaranteed?

No. Guides do everything they can, but wild animals cannot be scheduled and a sighting is not guaranteed on any single night.

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