This area is a nestling site for green, hawksbill, loggerhead and leatherback turtles. Green turtles are usually the most bankable as their numbers are larger. There are a few places to witness turtles laying their eggs but Tortuguero is perhaps Costa Rica’s most famous.
Looking for turtle eggs
Our turtle spotting guide Chico went through the rules very carefully, before our 2 hour evening trip which started at 8pm. ‘No flashlights, no cameras or phones, or the rangers will ask the whole group to leave immediately. No excuses and no refunds’. All pretty clear!
Park Rangers patrol the beaches and watch for the distinctive dark shapes that emerge from the surf and start their clumsy climb up past the high tide mark. The tourist groups are not allowed to approach the turtle whilst she is digging her hole, as apparently, they can get spooked and return to the sea without laying.