5 species of turtle swim vast distances to lay their eggs on the same tropical beaches in Costa Rica. They do this without fail each year, following an unchanged habit of centuries.

In 1954 the world's first turtle research station was founded by the Caribbean Conservation Corporation at Tortuguero . CCH has since spearheaded the protection of turtles with another 3 conservation sites at Las Baulas National Marine Park, at Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, and Gandoca-Manzanillo wildlife refuge. The species are leatherbacks, Pacific olive ridleys, greens, loggerheads and hawksbills. Of these, the ridleys are the easiest to see. Visitors can gain access to see turtles, but must follow strict guidelines and often should be accompanied by a qualified guide. Here is a nesting guide by location:

Pacific

Turtles come ashore at a number of beaches, including the Playa Nancite, only open to scientists, in Santa Rosa National Park.

Las Baulas National Marine Park is the main nesting site for leatherbacks in Costa Rica. A giant turtle measuring up to 700kg and 2.5m, the leatherback comes ashore at the beach of Playa Grande between November and April. Greens and ridleys can also be seen May-August. There is a good turtle museum.

Ostional National Wildlife Refuge  is the main nesting site for the ridley, which sees mass synchronized nestings ever 2-4 weeks April to December, peaking in July-September. Also arriving from time to time are leatherbacks and greens.

Caribbean

Tortuguero sees the green turtle in quantity from June to November, but loggerheads and hawksbills can be seen all the year, particularly in August. Barra de Matina beach is a private sanctuary where leatherbacks, hawksbills and greens arrive.

Gandoca-Manzanillo wildlife refuge, on the border with Panama, has several species: leatherbacks April-May, greens until September, and hawksbills March-August.