Ostional Beach may be one of the most underrated wonders in Costa Rica, and although the beach is charming the real appeal of Ostional is a rare phenomenon that happens only a number of times per year. This unique phenomenon is what locals know as the ‘arribadas masivas’, where thousands of olive ridley sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. This nesting season usually occurs between August to December, with the highest number of turtles arriving in August and September and specifically in the range of 2 days before, during, and after the third quarter moon. The turtles typically arrive in the late afternoon or evening and continue to lay their eggs throughout the night. Ostional beach is part of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, which is dedicated to the protection of sea turtles and their nesting sites.
Visitors are welcome to witness this extraordinary event, but it is essential to follow strict rules to ensure the safety and preservation of the turtles. The Ostional National Wildlife Refuge manages all tours and provides knowledgeable guides to educate visitors about the turtles and their importance to the ecosystem.
Apart from the sea turtle nesting season, Ostional Beach is also a beautiful destination for surfing, swimming, and other water activities. The beach has a relaxed atmosphere, and visitors can enjoy the stunning scenery, local wildlife, and vibrant culture of Costa Rica.
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Plan your visit
How to get there:
There are no direct buses to Ostional from San Jose or any other big beach town in Guanacaste, so the best way to get here is to travel to Nosara. There are plenty of options to travel to Nosara, you can check them out in our Nosara page, and then take a taxi or drive to Ostional which is only 15 minutes.
