Ostional Sea Turtle Nesting Tour
Thousands of turtles. One night beach. A private night tour to witness the Ostional arribada, from Papagayo and Guanacaste.
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Why Explore Privately?
Your Own Vehicle
Travel comfortably without sharing transportation with other groups.
Direct Hotel Pickup
Start and end the experience directly at your resort. No shared buses, no unnecessary hotel stops.
Personal Attention
Enjoy more interaction with your certified local guide.
A Better Pace
Spend your day experiencing Costa Rica instead of waiting on a large group.
Local Support
Your Wild Papagayo concierge helps coordinate every detail before your tour.
One of the Rarest Wildlife Events on Earth
Ostional National Wildlife Refuge is one of the few beaches in the world where olive ridley sea turtles come ashore by the thousands to nest, a phenomenon known as the arribada. On this private night tour, you'll walk the shoreline under moonlight with a certified local community guide, watching these ancient creatures dig their nests and lay their eggs just steps away.
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles
Ostional is one of only a handful of nesting beaches on the planet where olive ridley turtles nest in mass synchronized arrivals, a natural event found in very few places worldwide.
Guided Night Walk
Certified local community guides, required by the refuge for all beach access after dark, lead the walk using red-light flashlights that do not disturb nesting turtles.
Community-Protected Refuge
Ostional is managed in partnership with the local community, whose guides fund conservation work through regulated, small-group beach access.
A Genuine Wild Encounter
No enclosures, no staged sightings, just wild turtles on a wild beach. Sightings depend on nature and cannot be guaranteed, but the experience of the beach itself is unforgettable.
What to Expect
Private Afternoon Pickup
Your private guide meets you at your hotel or resort for the drive to the Nicoya Peninsula.
Journey to Ostional
A private, air-conditioned drive to the wildlife refuge, with a dinner stop along the way.
Community Guide Briefing
Meet your certified local community guide, required by the refuge for all after-dark beach access.
Night Turtle Watching
Walk the shoreline under moonlight with red-light flashlights, watching olive ridley turtles nest.
Private Late Return
A private, late-night return to your resort.
- This is a long private day into night, expect roughly 10-11 hours round trip including drive time. Plan a lighter following day.
- Turtle sightings occur in a natural, wild environment and cannot be guaranteed on any single visit, though sightings are frequent during arribada season.
- Wear dark or neutral clothing and avoid white light or flash photography, both disturb nesting turtles and are restricted on the refuge beach.
- Beach access after dark is only permitted with a certified local community guide, this is a refuge regulation, not a Wild Papagayo policy.
- Bring cash for the local community guide fee and any gratuities.
- Please inform us of any mobility limitations at booking, the beach walk is on natural sand.
We understand that travel plans may change. Cancellations made 7 or more days before the tour date receive a full refund. Cancellations made between 48 hours and 6 days before receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before are not eligible for a refund, although exceptional situations may be reviewed individually.
No-show reservations are charged in full. Guests are granted up to 1 hour after the scheduled pickup time before a no-show is recorded.
Because local community guide availability is limited and coordinated in advance, rescheduling requests must be made at least 48 hours ahead whenever possible.
✓ Dark or neutral-colored clothing
✓ Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
✓ Light jacket or sweater
✓ Insect repellent
✓ Reusable water bottle
✓ Cash for local guide fee and gratuities
✓ Passport or ID
Travel Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, transportation and your driver-guide are private and exclusive to your group. Beach access after dark is coordinated with a certified local community guide, a refuge regulation, not a Wild Papagayo policy.
Yes. Private pickup and return are included from Papagayo, Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco.
Pricing is confirmed directly with our concierge based on your pickup zone and group size, contact us on WhatsApp for a custom quote.
Turtle nesting occurs in a wild, natural environment and cannot be guaranteed on any single visit, though sightings are frequent, especially during arribada season.
The mass nesting arribada typically occurs between August and November, though exact dates vary by year. Outside these months, individual turtles still nest but less predictably.
Due to the long drive and very late return, a minimum age of 6 is recommended for comfort, though this is a practical suggestion rather than a refuge requirement.
Dark or neutral-colored clothing, comfortable closed-toe shoes, a light jacket, insect repellent, and cash for the local community guide fee.
Yes. Cancellations made 7 or more days before the tour date receive a full refund, and cancellations made 48 hours to 6 days before receive a 50% refund. See our full reservation policy below.
Ostional Turtle Watching Tour Costa Rica
Private nighttime tour to Ostional National Wildlife Refuge to witness olive ridley sea turtles nesting on the beach. Certified local community guide and responsible nighttime viewing under refuge lighting rules. Book via WhatsApp with Wild Papagayo.
Everything Included
✓ Private air-conditioned transportation
✓ Bilingual driver-guide for the full journey
✓ Ostional National Wildlife Refuge entrance fee
✓ Certified local community guide for the beach walk
✓ Red-light flashlight
✓ Bottled water
