Established in 1991 to protect nesting leatherback turtles (locally referred to as baulas), Las Baulas National Marine Park consists of 936 acres on land and 54,400 maritime acres that includes a coral reef. Around 800 giant female leatherback turtles nest here each year between mid-October and early February on the four beaches of this park; Las Ventanas, Carbon, Langosta, and Grande. Playa Grande is the most heavily populated beach with leatherback turtles during the nesting season, at which time the beach is off limits from 6pm – 5am and can only be visited on guided tours.
The other attraction at Las Baulas National Marine Park is Playa Grandes waves. This beach offers some of the best surfing in Costa Rica! Surfers and sunbathers alike will enjoy their time here. In addition, visitors can spend the day kayaking, deep-sea diving, canoeing, or fishing either offshore or inshore. The wildlife here includes green marine iguanas, dolphins, pacas, howler monkeys, crocodiles, and 174 species of birds.
Las Baulas National Marine Park is located just north of Tamarindo, in the Guanacaste Province. Park admission is 10USD after 6pm (only during nesting season) with a guided tour during nesting season.
The Northwest Pacific is one of the driest climates in Costa Rica. The beach areas have a fairly steady year round temperature with daytime highs averaging in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Night time lows are usually in the upper 70s. Precipitation varies through the year with the nicest weather between November and August.
Visitors should pack a bathing suit, towel, shorts, tee shirts, appropriate shoes, rain gear, sun block, and insect repellent. Check our comprehensive packing list for more suggestions.
Fun Fact: Visitors can learn more about the life cycle of leatherback turtles at El Mundode la Torguga (Turtle World) in Playa Grande. This is a museum that demonstates the life cycle of these turtles from beginning to end for a modest price of around 5USD.
| Tamarindo | 12 km |
| Flamingo Beach | 46 km |
| Playa del Coco | 25 km |
| Nosara | 74 km |
| Playa del Coco | 46 km |
Latitude: N 10° 20' 5.08"
Longitude: W 85° 50' 52.01"
The other attraction at Las Baulas National Marine Park is Playa Grandes waves. This beach offers some of the best surfing in Costa Rica! Surfers and sunbathers alike will enjoy their time here. In addition, visitors can spend the day kayaking, deep-sea diving, canoeing, or fishing either offshore or inshore. The wildlife here includes green marine iguanas, dolphins, pacas, howler monkeys, crocodiles, and 174 species of birds.
Las Baulas National Marine Park is located just north of Tamarindo, in the Guanacaste Province. Park admission is 10USD after 6pm (only during nesting season) with a guided tour during nesting season.
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