Best time of the year to witness this is August through December when the rainy season is heaviest in that region.   The Arribada occurs at the start of the last quarter moon during the months of August through December.  One could notice hundreds of turtles gathering close to shore several days before they begin to rush upon the sandy shores to lay their eggs.  They come out of the water all at once,  onto the sandy beach,  sometimes running over one another.  They begin in the very late afternoon and  continue coming  all night, until day light.  “Quite a sight to see”!  There they dig into the sand and lay their eggs.

road map for Ostional wildlife refuge located on Pacific side Costa Rica

Where is Ostional Wildlife Refuge located and how do I get there?   It is located on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. See map.  It can be reached by 4×4 vehicle from Nosara or from San Juanillo.   This is the province of Guanacaste, in the northwestern pacific coast of Costa Rica.   Drive from Liberia International airport in northern Costa Rica  around 1 hour and a half.  Drive from San Jose around four hours.

However in a very very heavy rainfall, the beach area may not be accessible.

If you are planning a vacation to Costa Rica and want to see first hand many of the most beautiful beaches,  rain forests, and wildlife refuges to help better plan your vacation then go to the home page of costaricalearn.com   At top of page click on buy our  costa rica travel video. You can view  the 2 min trailer of the full length  58 minute video  “Costa Rica A Travel Adventure Spectacular” filmed by my husband Ken Creed whose travel adventure film credits include “Alaska” which was chosen by the National Geographic Society to be shown at  its travel adventure film series at Constitutional Hall in Washington DC.

In 1994 a volunteer turtle protection program was established at Pacuare Nature Reserve and is made up of volunteers and students.  Visitors are welcome and upon arrival are given an orientation and invited to participate in the night patrol of walking the beaches to make sure poachers are not taking the turtles or the eggs.

Visitors are welcome to stay at the very rustic lodge located on the property. There is a 2 night minimum.   The lodge has three bedrooms with a shared 1/2 bath.  The shower is outside  and hot water is available if you want it. The is no electricity  at the lodge.  Price is $80 per person per night which includes the meals and transportation to the lodge by boat from La Trocha.  One can volunteer their services  and this is $175 for a week.

Wildlife is abundant here-monkeys,  250 species of birds, exotic flora, a very jungle setting.  One really feels that you are away from the real world.  Hear the sounds of birds early in the morning along with the sounds of the ocean serf. Watch the sun rise at 5:30 a.m. every morning.  Weather is very warm and humid here, and rains a lot-all year round.

When visiting Pacuare Nature Reserve what should you bring?  sun screen, mosquito spray, light weight clothes, comfortable walking shoes, sun hat,  small folding umbrella, small flashlight, bottled water if you feel you need it.

How to get to Pacuare Nature reserve: From San Jose take the highway to Limon and in about 2 hours,  turn off near a  village named  Matina and go about 30 minutes through very scenic route of  banana plantations to La Trocha  located along the Tortuguero canals.  Boat from the lodge picks you up and then its a 20 min ride to the reserve.  Or email Carlos and he will tell you which bus to take from San Jose to Matina, then take a taxi  to La Trocha.

Contact:  Carlos Fernandez 2 224 85 68  c.fernandez@turtleprotection.org

carlos57fer@yahoo.com             or         www.turtleprotection.org