Tours & experiences · Ostional refuge
Turtles, monkeys and Nosara's wildlife
North of Nosara, the Ostional refuge welcomes the olive ridley arribadas and can only be visited with a local guide. And around here, howler monkeys, coatis and iguanas are common neighbors.
- USD 55 per person
- Duration: 3 h
- Spots per departure: up to 10
- Book 12 h ahead
Wildlife
The story
Stories from Ostional
What an arribada is
North of Nosara lies the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. A few days every month, thousands of olive ridley turtles come out of the sea at once to nest on its beach: that's an arribada.
It has no fixed date, and the biggest ones come in the rainy season. The refuge can only be visited with a local guide.
- Thousandsof olive ridley turtles in a single arribada
- Every montha few days, bigger in the rainy season
- Guidedvisits are only with a local guide
Wildlife
Neighbors with fur, scales and shells
Howler monkey
You hear it before you see it: its howl carries far through the trees.
Coati
Curious and long-tailed, often out in groups looking for food.
Iguana
A sun lover: you'll spot them on branches, walls and rooftops.
Olive ridley turtle
The star of the Ostional arribadas.
To keep them close
- Don't feed them: it harms them and gets them used to people.
- Watch from a distance, without flash.
- Take your trash with you, from the beach and the trail.
Where it happens
North of Nosara
Ostional refuge
Wildlife refuge to the north, known for its olive ridley turtle arribadas.
Nosara Biological Reserve
By the river. Howler monkeys, coatis and iguanas are common around Nosara.
When
Every season has its plan
Arribadas happen a few days every month, and the biggest come in the green season.
Biggest arribadas: May, June, July, August, September, October and November
Green season: May, June, July, August, September, October and November
Good to know in Nosara
How to visit, with respect
Always with a local guide
It's the refuge's rule. Guides know where to walk and when to get closer.
Red light, never white
White light disorients turtles and hatchlings. At night, only red light, and only when the guide says so.
No flash photos
No flash and no phone flashlight: keep them off on the beach.
Distance and calm
Don't touch them or stand in front of them. Keep their way to the sea clear and keep your voice down.
Questions about Ostional and the wildlife
Are we sure to see turtles?
It can't be guaranteed: arribadas happen a few days every month, with no fixed date. Get in touch and we'll tell you what to expect on your dates.
What should I bring?
Comfortable clothes, insect repellent and no white lights or flash.
With Lapa
How we work
Payment with Tilopay
You pay by card on Tilopay's secure page: your card never goes through Lapa.
The team confirms it
A person on the team checks your request and confirms availability.
With a local guide
The refuge can only be visited with a local guide.
Based in Nosara · open 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Costa Rica time
Goes well with
Surf · Playa Guiones
Surf lesson at Playa Guiones
- 2 h
- Up to 6 per departure
- Book 12 h ahead
USD 65 per person
Free cancellation up to 24 h before
IncludedAround Nosara · Guiones, Pelada and town
Town & beach shuttle
- Request 1 h ahead
Included in your stay
Wellness · At your villa
In-villa massage
60 min massage by a certified therapist
- Request 2 h ahead
- Concierge 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
USD 90
Free cancellation up to 24 h before
Ready to go?
Let's plan your tour
Tell us which day works for you and how many of you there are, and we'll confirm the departure. Questions? Get in touch and we'll work it out with you.
