Playa Grande, just north of Tamarindo, hosts one of the most significant leatherback turtle nesting sites in the world — night tours run October through March, when females come ashore to lay eggs. Guided tours depart in the evening; book through the national park or a local operator.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
Playa Grande is one of the most significant leatherback nesting beaches in the Pacific — part of the Las Baulas National Marine Park. Female leatherbacks (up to 7ft long and 2,000 lbs) crawl ashore at night between October and March to excavate nests and lay eggs. The MINAE-regulated night tours (groups of maximum 15, red lights only) are one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences in Costa Rica. Book through the park station — a minimum 2-hour wait is normal and worth it.
What Stands Out
- Leatherback sea turtles — largest reptile on earth, up to 7ft and 2,000 lbs
- Las Baulas National Marine Park — one of the most protected nesting beaches in the Pacific
- Oct–Mar nesting season
- Strictly regulated tours: max 15 people, red lights only
- One of the great wildlife encounters in Central America