Guanacaste is one of the best regions in Costa Rica for sea turtles, but what you can see depends heavily on the month of your trip. In general, the best time to see turtles in Guanacaste is from August to March: arribadas at Ostional peak from September to November, and the leatherback season at Playa Grande runs from October to February or March. This guide goes month by month so you can plan with realistic expectations.
The sea turtles you can see near Tamarindo
Olive ridley
The olive ridley is the most common turtle on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It nests on many beaches on its own, and at Ostional it arrives in mass nesting events called arribadas. It is the species you are most likely to see on a night tour.
Black turtle (Pacific green turtle)
The black turtle is the Eastern Pacific form of the green turtle. Together with the olive ridley, it is one of the turtles we see most often on our nesting tour.
Hawksbill
The hawksbill, with its pointed beak and patterned shell, appears on our nesting beaches from time to time, but sightings are uncommon.
Leatherback
The leatherback is the largest sea turtle in the world, and Las Baulas Marine National Park is named after it. An honest note: the leatherback population nesting at Playa Grande has declined sharply in recent years. Seeing one is now a rare event, and no responsible operator can promise it. To protect the species, access to the nesting beaches of the park is restricted during the season, which is why our nesting tour goes to Playa Minas or Playa Jesús instead.
Best time to see turtles in Guanacaste, month by month
January and February
The leatherback season continues, with December and January as its strongest months. Nesting tours are running, and hatchlings from earlier nests may be emerging, so it can be a good time for a release. The dry season brings clear nights.
March and April
The leatherback season comes to an end in February or March, and turtle activity is usually lower. This is a great time for the estuary, kayaking and day trips instead.
May to July
The rainy season begins and olive ridley nesting starts to increase. Smaller arribadas can happen at Ostional from May onward. Nights are warm, and showers are usually in the afternoon or evening.
August
Arribada activity at Ostional grows, and solitary nesting of olive ridleys continues on the beaches near Tamarindo.
September to November
This is the peak of the arribadas at Ostional, when the largest ones of the year usually happen. In October the leatherback season begins at Playa Grande. If seeing many turtles is your priority, these are the strongest months.
December
Arribadas can still occur, the leatherback season is at its high point and our sunset release tour is running. It is also the start of the busy holiday season, so book early.
Which Tamarindo turtle tour to choose
- Turtle Nesting Tour: $60 per person, minimum 2 people, children 2 and under free. Pickup in Tamarindo at 5:30 pm and transportation included. We go to Playa Minas or Playa Jesús; the length varies with the night. If we do not see turtles, we reschedule for the next night or make it up to you with the estuary tour.
- Ostional Arribada Tour: $130 per person, minimum 4 people, children 3 and under free. Ostional is 2 hours south of Tamarindo and the schedule depends on each arribada. Read our Ostional arribada guide before you go.
- Sunset and Baby Turtle Release: $50 per person, minimum 2 people, departure at 3:30 pm from Tamarindo. Includes transportation, water and a contribution to the turtle conservation project. Available from November 12.
How to watch turtles responsibly
- Wear dark clothing and never use flash or white flashlights.
- Keep your distance and stay behind the turtle while she nests.
- Do not touch turtles, eggs or hatchlings unless the conservation team asks you to help.
- Follow the instructions of your guide and of park rangers at all times.
Hatchling releases are carried out under the rules of the conservation project, which decides when and where the little turtles go to the sea.
What to bring on a night turtle tour
- Dark clothing
- Water shoes or tennis shoes
- A camera you can use without flash
- Insect repellent
Planning tips
Turtles follow nature, not a calendar, so it helps to keep one or two flexible evenings in your plans. During the day, the estuary boat tour through Las Baulas is a good complement; learn more in our Las Baulas National Park guide.
Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey offers the night nesting tour, the Ostional arribada and the sunset turtle release. Book online with a deposit, and if you are not sure which tour fits your dates, write to us on WhatsApp and we will help you plan.
Book these tours
Turtle Nesting Tour$60 per personSee tour and book →
Ostional Arribada Tour$130 per personSee tour and book →
Sunset & Baby Turtle Release$50 per personSee tour and book →
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turtles in Guanacaste?
For the Ostional arribadas, September to November is usually the peak. For leatherbacks at Playa Grande, the season runs from October to February or March, with the most activity in December and January.
Can I still see leatherback turtles near Tamarindo?
It is possible but rare. The leatherback population at Playa Grande has declined sharply in recent years, so our nesting tour sees mostly olive ridley and black turtles and only occasionally a leatherback.
What happens if we do not see turtles on the nesting tour?
If we do not see turtles, we reschedule the tour for the next night or make it up to you with the estuary tour.
When can I join a baby turtle release?
Releases depend on the hatching season and the rules of the conservation project. Our Sunset and Baby Turtle Release tour is available from November 12, departs at 3:30 pm from Tamarindo and costs $50 per person.
Can I take photos of nesting turtles?
Only without flash and following the instructions of your guide. Bright light disorients turtles and hatchlings, so bring a camera you can use without flash.
More Tamarindo guides
- Playa Grande Turtle Tour: Night Nesting Near TamarindoPlaya Grande turtle tour from Tamarindo: why it goes to Playa Minas or Playa Jesús, the night step by step, species you may see and the $60 price.
- Turtle Watching Rules and Tips: What to Expect on a Night TourTurtle nesting tour rules and tips: no white light or flash, keep your distance, what to wear and bring, how long you wait and what happens if no turtles.
- Baby Turtle Release in Tamarindo: How It WorksBaby turtle release in Tamarindo: how the sunset release works, conservation rules, what visitors can and cannot do, price and dates. From Nov 12.
- Sea Turtles of Guanacaste: Leatherback, Olive Ridley and Green TurtleSea turtles of Guanacaste, Costa Rica: leatherback, olive ridley, green and hawksbill. Size, nesting habits, status and where each nests near Tamarindo.
- Ostional Arribada Guide: How to Visit from TamarindoOstional arribada tour from Tamarindo: when the mass turtle nesting happens, how to get there, beach rules, what to bring and how our guided tour works.
- Best Tours in Tamarindo: A Local Operator's GuideBest tours in Tamarindo ranked by a local operator: estuary boat, kayak, turtles, horseback and day trips, with the price and length of all 13 tours.