Planning a Responsible Ostional Turtle-Watching Outing

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Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, 10 to 12 km north of Playa Guiones, is one of the few places on earth where Olive Ridley (lora) sea turtles gather in synchronized mass nesting events called arribadas.

5 Rules Every Visitor Must Know Before Going to Ostional

1. When Nesting Happens: Solitary Olive Ridley females nest at Ostional year-round, while the largest arribadas occur during the green season (roughly July through November), most often starting a few days before the last-quarter moon and lasting 3 to 7 days.
2. Certified Local Guide Mandatory: During nesting and arribada periods, unguided beach entry is prohibited. Book {tl('tour-of-ostional-beach-turtles')} (5604877P1, 2h private tour), which includes a certified guide, wildlife refuge entry tickets, and air-conditioned transport from Playa Guiones/Nosara.
3. Zero Flash or White Light: Camera flashes, phone flashlights, and bright screens disorient nesting females and hatchlings. Only your guide's dim red-filtered light is permitted.
4. Keep Clear of the Surf Line: Never walk in front of turtles emerging from the waves, never touch turtles or hatchlings, and stay compact with your guide.
5. Nearby Corozalito Alternative (12702P8): If you are spending an afternoon in Sámara (~45 minutes south of Nosara), compare {tl('turtle-tour-near-samara-beach')} (12702P8, 3h guided evening walk at Corozalito Beach).

Recommended Tours & Excursions Featured in This Guide

Tour of Ostional Beach Turtles

Discover the natural wonder of Lora turtle arrivals at Playa Ostional, a fascinating event that attracts thousands of females each month. Watch as between two and two hundred thousand turtles arrive at the beach, especially from July to October, on Luna Menguante, when between 20...

• Departure / meeting zone: Playa Guiones / Nosara pickup to Ostional National Wildlife Refuge · Area hub: Ostional National Wildlife Refuge · Category: Turtle-Watching Excursions
• Duration: 2 hours · Format: Private (Private tour (your group only, up to 15 travelers per booking))
• Included: Certified guide; Entrance to the wildlife refuge; In-vehicle air conditioning
• Run by: Nahual Tour · Reviews: 1 customer review(s) on Viator (5.00 score)
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

Turtle Tour Near Samara Beach

This tour is for all nature lovers. In this tour, you will have the exciting and wonderful opportunity to watch turtle nesting. Accompanied by a bilingual guide, you will walk along the beach in search of the turtles and witness the turtle nesting process at Corozalito Beach. It ...

• Departure / meeting zone: Nearby Nicoya Coast Day Trip — departs Playa Sámara to Camaronal/Corozalito (~45 min south of Nosara) · Area hub: Ostional National Wildlife Refuge · Category: Turtle-Watching Excursions
• Departure & season note: Departs from Playa Sámara (~45 minutes south of Nosara).
• Duration: 3 hours · Format: Shared (Shared small-group tour (up to 10 travelers per booking))
• Included: Professional guide; Bottled water; Snacks; Beverages; Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
• Run by: Samara Adventures · Reviews: 4.64 average from 61 customer reviews on Viator
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

Hiking and birdwatching Nosara

The Nosara biological reserve is a 85 acre property and has a great potential, having many species of birds, some mammals, many reptiles and among other things that our visitors will be able to observe at the same time, all tourists will be guided by guides with enough experience...

• Departure / meeting zone: Nosara Biological Reserve (85-acre reserve near Playa Nosara) · Area hub: Playa Nosara & Biological Reserve · Category: Wildlife & Nature
• Duration: 2 hours · Format: Shared (Shared small-group tour (up to 12 travelers per booking))
• Included: Binoculars; Licensed Guide; Telescope
• Run by: Hiking Tours Nosara · Reviews: 4.64 average from 22 customer reviews on Viator
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

Kayaking and Stand-up Paddle Boarding in Costa Rica

Come join us on a unique experience in our beautiful wild national reserve. Its a magnificent place for all to admire and get to know our ecosystem and ways to sustain it. We will drift down river with the perfect tidal conditions to ensure maximum entertainment. Grab a "Pipa" wh...

• Departure / meeting zone: Boca Nosara / Río Nosara & Río Montaña (Playa Guiones pickup option) · Area hub: Playa Nosara & Biological Reserve · Category: Kayaking & Paddleboarding
• Duration: 2 hours · Format: Shared (Shared small-group tour (up to 30 travelers per booking))
• Included: Snacks; Kayaks, doubles or singles and SUP boards are provided
• Run by: Everyday Nosara Outdoor Experience · Reviews: 5.00 average from 37 customer reviews on Viator
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

Supporting Standalone Airport & Regional Transfers

The listings below are standalone point-to-point airport and inter-regional shuttle transfers between Liberia Airport (LIR), Monteverde, Nosara, and Ostional—kept separate from the guided excursions above:

Private Transportation From Liberia Airport to Ostional Guanacaste (Viator 348885P50)

Do you want to visit the happiest country in the world? You've come to the right place, we offer a daily shuttle service from Daniel Oduber International Airport. If you want to explore the wonderful beaches of Costa Rica, travel to visit friends and family or for your business t...

• Type: Private airport/regional transfer (up to 12 passengers) (standalone point-to-point transfer) · Area hub: Ostional National Wildlife Refuge
• Route / meeting zone: Liberia Guanacaste Airport (LIR) → Ostional, Guanacaste · Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Included: Private transportation; Bottled water; In-vehicle air conditioning · Run by: Guanacaste Airport Shuttle Cr
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

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