12/04/2025
Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to experience the magic of sea turtles. This small but biodiverse country is home to five species of sea turtles, each with its own unique charm. Here’s a joyful overview of these incredible creatures:
🐢 1. Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
Best known for: The “arribadas” – synchronized mass nestings where thousands of turtles come ashore at once.
Where to see them: Playa Ostional and Playa Nancite (especially between July and November).
Fun fact: During arribadas, you might see up to 10,000 turtles nesting in just a few days. It's a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle!
🐢 2. Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
The giant of the group!
Where to see them: Las Baulas National Marine Park (near Tamarindo), Playa Grande, and Playa Langosta.
Nesting season: October to March.
Fun fact: They can grow up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) and weigh more than 900 kg (2,000 lbs)! And despite their size, they glide so gracefully through the sea.
🐢 3. Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Peaceful and majestic.
Where to see them: Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast is the top spot.
Nesting season: July to October.
Fun fact: Named not for their shell but for the greenish color of their body fat, due to their vegetarian diet of seagrass and algae!
🐢 4. Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Beautiful and critically endangered.
Where to see them: Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.
Fun fact: Their gorgeous, colorful shells have unfortunately made them a target in the past, but Costa Rica is working hard to protect them. They help keep coral reefs healthy by eating sponges that compete with coral.
🐢 5. Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta)
Less common in Costa Rica, but still makes appearances.
Where to see them: Occasionally seen on both coasts, especially during migration seasons.
Fun fact: They have massive, powerful jaws—perfect for cracking open hard-shelled prey like conchs and crabs.
🌊 Why Costa Rica is a Turtle Paradise:
The country’s strong conservation efforts, marine parks, and eco-conscious communities help protect nesting beaches.
Guided turtle-watching tours are run respectfully and under strict guidelines to avoid disturbing the turtles.
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities to help with turtle conservation if you're looking to give back.
Whether you’re watching tiny hatchlings shuffle toward the ocean or witnessing a mama turtle heaving herself onto the sand under the moonlight, it’s pure magic. The turtles of Costa Rica remind us how delicate and wondrous nature truly is.
