Sea Turtles & Wildlife of Northern Costa Rica

To minimize long overland drives and complex logistics, we use chartered flights between key destinations. These flights provide direct access to remote regions, maximizing comfort and time in the field while ensuring a smoother overall travel experience.

• Trip price includes: All accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s), local guides and lodge staff, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, private transfers throughout the itinerary, some gratuities, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.

• Internal air cost includes: One private charter flight from Upala to Punta Islita (this will be listed separately on our invoicing).

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Our trip dates are chosen specifically to place the group in Nosara, near Ostional Beach, at an optimal time to witness an arribada. This event—when olive ridley turtles come onto the shore to lay their eggs—happens a few times between June and November along the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. It usually occurs at night, but it can also happen at dawn, although it’s rare. One arribada can last from 1-4 days. During this season, you will likely find at least one turtle every night laying its eggs, if not several or many. A few times during the season—historically at the start of the last quarter moon when the night is darkest before the new moon—an arribada takes place with thousands of turtles coming onto the shore to lay their eggs at the same time. The events usually lasts 2-4 days. Over the years, as climate change accelerates and human impacts on the environment grow, the arribada has become less predictable. However, our trip dates are specifically chosen to be in this prime location close to the appropriate moon cycle to increase our chances of catching the phenomenon.

While the odds of our group being at this location when an arribada occurs are rather random, the chance of seeing at least one turtle laying its eggs is high, given that we are there for three nights. The chance to see baby turtles hatch is also quite high, with two early-morning beach outings. We are also staying in an area where we can access two different beaches (Ostional Beach and Punta Islita Beach) where the arribada occurs, thus increasing our chances. The best time to see hatchlings is usually late August/early September, as arribadas will almost certainly occur in June and July, and hatchlings emerge roughly 40-55 days afterward.

While there is NEVER a guarantee to see turtles laying eggs or baby turtles hatching, we deliberately schedule our trips to maximize our chances of seeing them.

This trip begins and ends in Liberia, Costa Rica. You must arrive in Liberia by 3 pm on Day 1 in order to make it to the hotel in time for a 6 pm welcome dinner. For guests who come in early, recommended hotels will be included in your pre-departure materials.

You may depart Liberia any time after 1:30 pm on the final day.

Our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk can best assist with your travel reservations, as our staff is familiar with the specific requirements of this program and can help arrange the most efficient itinerary. Please call us at 800-543-8917. While we offer the best available rates to us on airfare and additional nights accommodations, you may occasionally find special web rates or lower fares online.