The 6 Best Turtle Nesting Tours in Costa Rica

1.Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 206 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $46Our pick

Meet Native’s Way after sunset, then ride about 30 minutes to protected beaches near Playa Grande. Guides such as Ivan, Fabio, and Irving search for Green Pacific and Olive Ridley turtles, with a chance of hatchlings and rare Leatherbacks. Expect darkness, waiting, walking, and strict rules about light and noise.

“Honestly I wouldn’t do it again. We saw two turtle laying her eggs on the beach but there were so many people around, that I just had the feeling to stress the poor animals. Also three other turtles wanted to come to the beach but got scared by the people - so they turned around and got back to the ocean. Maybe it’s a unique experience to are allowed to see turtles laying eggs at the beach (for sure it is) but for me it was more the feeling to disturb an sensitive ecosystem. Went home with a not very nice feeling. Also there where people who turned on their…”

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2.Turtle Nesting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $65

Join guide Luis from Tamarindo at 5 p.m. for a 3 to 4-hour search for nesting and hatching sea turtles near Playa Mina. A rough drive and short walk lead to a dark, protected beach where you may see ridleys, green turtles, black turtles, or leatherbacks. Round-trip transport, water, snacks, and flashlights are included.

“Tour guide was intoxicated and his car had no license plates. He claimed it was broke down then wanted to get in our vehicle so we cancelled and never went on the tour.”

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3.Turtle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $33Best value

From July through October, a guide such as Carlos, Bernie, or Luis leads you onto Tortuguero’s beach after dark to watch sea turtles arrive, lay eggs, cover the nest, and return to the ocean. Expect park-controlled timing, a walk on uneven sand, mosquitoes, and no guarantee of a particular turtle. The guide is included, but park admission is extra.

“Das Nesting selbst war sehr beeindruckend. Unsre Gruppe allerdings sehr groß und unser Guide Carlos hat wenig übe die Schildkrötn erzáhlt. Man musste konkrete Fragn an ihn richten, von sich aus hat er nicht erzählt. Vor Ort kreisen dann 5Read more”

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4.Turtle Nesting night Tour in Tortuguero

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $37

Walk into Tortuguero National Park after dark with a bilingual guide such as Leonardo, Manuel, or Luis. In a group of up to 10, you may watch a green turtle lay eggs, compact them, hide the nest, or return to sea. The tour lasts about two hours, costs $37, and forbids phones, cameras, and bright lights near the turtles.

“We were fortunate to see 2 turtles nesting AND baby turtles emerging all in one evening. But making the experience even better was our guide, Manuel, who explained everything with knowledge and enthusiasm.”

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5.Observation of Turtles in their Natural Habitat in Tortuguero

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $40

Walk Tortuguero’s trails after dark with a guide such as Luis or Carmen, wait at designated posts, then approach the beach when permitted. You may see green turtles emerge, lay more than 100 eggs, cover the nest, and camouflage it. The tour lasts about two hours, costs $40 per person, and allows no cameras or phones on the beach.

“Una muy buena experiencia. Uno no se puede ir de Tortuguero sin hacer la actividad de avistamiento de tortugas”

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6.The best of Tortuguero: Canoe, hike and night tour (turtle in Jul-Oct)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $101

Start before sunrise with a canoe through Tortuguero National Park, hike at 11 a.m., then join a night wildlife tour or, from July to October, a turtle tour at 8 or 10 p.m. Guides may include Andre, Juancito, Cloied, Norton, or Israel. Small groups are capped at 10, with binoculars, ponchos, cushions, and life jackets supplied.

“Had good time and guide was good & very informative, local & knowledgeable places & animals. All three activities are good.”

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