Luth, Verte, Caret, Ridley, maybe you don’t know the animal we are talking about. Marine turtles are one of the innumerable wildlife wealthes of Costa Rica. However, wealth means covetousness and greed. Nowadays, preservation of this marine animal species is a crucial issue. Protecting their nesting and laying sites is one of the greatest missions of ecological tourism. Travelling and marvelling at any season of the year may be made with respect and protection. Youcome takes you where it is possible to observe sea turtles in Costa Rica all year round with kindness. Follow us on this extraordinary adventure !
Admire costarican turtles | A real meeting
2015, Guanacaste, never again !
2015 was a dark year for Costa Rican sea turtles. Remember ! Hundreds of tourists flocked to the beach of Guanacaste to admire this phenomenon of the laying of olive Ridley turtles. Movements, shouts and cameras welcome these turtles which just wanted to dig a protective nest for their eggs. Some parents even put their child on back’s turtle, as the newspaper La Nación1 wrote.
Les arribadas, the miracle of life
Of course, you will understand that this life miracle, we call arribadas, needs quiet and privacy. That is the reason why observing nesting is very regulated. You have to be accompanied by a guide who respects the environment and tropical nature. Famous for its diversity and its will to protect it, Costa Rica puts in place, simple but effective approval procedures to preserve these exceptional marine animals.
A guide, worthy of a name, takes you a few hundred meters from the point of view. The path ends on foot, in silence and in the dark. Only the moon is allowed to radiate and illuminate this living spectacle where natural beauty and emotion are combined in the constant cycle of life renewal. Possibly, only a red light lamp will be allowed.
Observe sea turtles in Costa Costa Rica all year round
If you really want to know everything about this sea animal, Sylvain and Caroline will find some intimate paradises, just for you. In fact, at any season, you can see some turtles. And wouldn’t you want to swim with turtles ? Let’s have a little trip in the land of accessible dreams. Just follow the guide ! Ok, it’s easy, this one!
Spring, summer, autumn, winter, which turtle do you prefer ?
On the Pacific side, the LuthTurtle, the largest of all, lays its eggs between September and March. On the Caribbean coast, you can find them from April to November. Please note that this species measures about 1 meter, weighs about 150 kgs and can dive to 1200 meters thanks to its carapace. It’s thickness protects it from the dense water pressure.
The Green Turtle, which dimensions are almost identical to those of its colleague Luth, is one of the few to walk in the full sun. Did you know that she lays in the exact place where she was born ?
Does the turtle have a hooked beak? Then of course, you are facing the Caret turtle. So beautiful that poachers covet it for its scales. Endangered, we find them on the Pacific side, Las Baulas, Ostional or Corcovado ! Just keep the secret !
Tora turtle, also called black turtle for the color of its shell, you only meet it on the west coast between October and March in the province of Guanacaste.
Endangered by industrial fishing, the Ridley’s turtle benefits from a program to protect its habitat on Hermosa Beach. It lays in all seasons on the beaches of Grande and Ostional, in the Guanacaste, on the Pacific side
Turtle nesting | A still unexplained phenomenon
The «arribadas» is the term used to designate the incessant ballet of these extraordinary reptiles. And, despite numerous scientific studies on the subject, no one is yet able to explain why these thousands of animals gather to make their nests and deposit their offspring.
Then, the observations remain to amaze us. The females reach the coast and leave the water during the night. After conscientiously choosing the ideal place, they work for about twenty minutes to clean the sand. And then they dig. It will take them 45 minutes to build the shelter for their babies. After laying one or two hundred eggs, they cover them with their fins in a gesture of protection and maternal instinct, which takes them 20 to 30 minutes.Their mission is over, the sun rises, they will drive back into their aquatic environment.
How are you sure to be able to spot these beautiful sea turtles in Costa Rica during any time of the year? We make the best choice that respects your desires, the animal rhythm, but also, the wonderful biodiversity, source of our daily motivation. Let us offer you the ideal boundary between your dreams and the real Costa Rica. Contact us !
Lovers of Costa Rica and its riches, our mission is to share it with you while protecting it.
1 – Information source La Nación