Sea Turtle Watching

Hi All-

I am going to CR end of July and I was wondering if anyone knows when the sea turtles will be hatching in Tortuguero? Also, is this the best lace to watch them or are there other places? I know I read about Grande de Playa but, I don't know if there are other places as well.

Also, I am planning on going down for a month and not sure where i'm going. :)

I'm open to any and all suggestions!

Thanks,
Allison

Hi Allison-

I am not sure when the season for the various species of turtles nest in CR, but I think or thought it was closer to Nov, but I could be wrong. I dont have my guidebook handy, I like the MOON Guidebook BTW-

In regards to this spectacle, there is also Ostional, which is just south of Playa Grande about a 1.5 hour drive, or from Nosora, just north 20 minutes.

Try to contact the various lodges, for the seasonal influxes of the beast. Also, do keep in mind, that the schedule of these creatures is closely aligned to the Moon phases and tides as well, so your timing needs to in a short window of a few days. It also is a night time activity, guides are required, as the beaches are protected, due to local poachers and the fact its considered a local delicacy in many places.

Hopefully, someone can shed some more light on the times this all occurs.

July is just right in tortuguero as we learned in june .... although august will give you a better chance, you shouldn't have a problem seeing the turtles. Keep in mind that their tours usually last only 2 hours ($10) and it takes at least half an hour to walk deeper in the park where you'll have a better chance so that usually leaves you with an hour of watching times.

I believe that the turtles come ashore during the new moon phase, when it is dark. You are also supposed to wear dark clothing. Don't know about the month of the year though.

I was on the turtle tour two nights ago. We saw one live turtle that was laying eggs and one dead turtle that didn´t make it. It was $10 per person. Starting on July 14th or maybe the first of July, our guide said that it will cost $14 and that they have to radio ahead to find the turtles rather than searching for them in large groups. It is very easy to organize the tour. Just go to the main tour station that Lonely Planet talks about. We went with a guy named Victor, he was good. I also recommend an early morning canal tour and the hike to Ceero del Tortugeuro. The weather is humid and sweaty as you probably know. Very cool place and it is very worth the travel to get there.