Ostional Turtle Arribada Tour from Samara
Witness one of nature's great spectacles: an arribada at Ostional Wildlife Refuge, when more than a thousand olive ridley turtles come ashore to nest. Transport, guide and park fee included.
Ostional Wildlife Refuge is one of only a handful of beaches in the world where olive ridley sea turtles nest in mass events known as arribadas. Over a few days, more than a thousand turtles can come ashore together to lay their eggs, a sight few travelers ever get to see.
The trip starts in Samara with transportation to Ostional. Your guide begins with a talk about the sea turtles of Costa Rica and the olive ridley's life cycle, then leads you onto the beach to watch the arribada. During about an hour on the sand you'll see turtles dig their nests, lay their eggs and finally make their way back to the sea.
Drinks and seasonal fruit or cookies are included, along with the refuge entrance fee.
Good to know
- Season: May to January. Arribadas follow the lunar cycle (around the first-quarter moon), so tour dates are confirmed according to nesting activity.
- Departure in the morning or afternoon depending on the tide; we'll confirm the exact time after booking.
- Duration approx. 5 hours, including transportation.
- Child price applies to ages 3–11. Children under 3 join free.
- Follow your guide's instructions: no flash photography or touching the turtles.
Highlights
- See an arribada: 1,000+ olive ridley turtles nesting together
- Visit Ostional Wildlife Refuge with a naturalist guide
- Talk on the sea turtles of Costa Rica
- Watch turtles nest and return to the sea
- Transportation from Samara and park fee included
What's included
Round-trip transportation from Samara Bilingual naturalist guide Ostional Wildlife Refuge entrance fee Drinks Seasonal fruit or cookies
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes Dark, neutral-colored clothing Insect repellent Rain jacket Camera without flash
What's not included
Gratuities Meals
Cancellation policy
Full refund for cancellations made at least 48 hours before the tour's start time. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the start are non-refundable.