Las Baulas National Marine Park

This small refuge on the Pacific coast, just north of Tamarindo, protects an important turtle nesting area.

Every year from October through February, thousands of leatherback sea turtles emerge onto Playa Grande, alone or in groups, to bury their eggs in the sand. It is a spectacular sight and is best seen at night.

There are some restrictions on viewing the turtles. Generally, park rangers lead you to viewing platforms, to avoid disturbing the turtles. Walking on the beach is usually not permitted during turtle nesting periods.

The park also has a mangrove swamp with a wide range of birds, and tropical dry forest with plenty of wildlife.