Nighttime Pacific Green Turtle Nesting Experience, Gulf of Papagayo

4.7 (6 reviews)
Witness one of nature's most amazing sights as you watch green sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs on the beach.
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M
Mark P.
Apr 09, 2023
This was great and a memorable experience (and a short trip from our hotel). First, it is rare to hire on any beach at night with... Read more
A
Alyssa F.
Apr 04, 2023
I had never done an experience like this. Moses was in contact with our groups, giving us the best chance of seeing turtles. We saw nine.... Read more
Joseph
Joseph M.
Feb 21, 2023
We went out at night and saw mothers coming up on the beach to dig holes and lay their eggs. We also saw baby turtles coming... Read more
Sabrina
Sabrina S.
Feb 10, 2022
Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. He helped us to find a taxi for the way back which was really great. We saw lots of... Read more
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Overview

Witness one of nature's most moving rituals on an evening excursion to Playa Minas, where green sea turtles come ashore to nest along Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Traveling with local guides during nesting season (November through March), you'll wait quietly for the first signs of movement before heading onto the beach to observe this rare event unfold. With patience and respect for the wildlife, you'll watch massive turtles lay and protect their eggs—a memorable encounter with the rhythms of the natural world.

Highlights

  • Observe green sea turtles nesting on a protected Pacific beach
  • Learn about turtle behavior and conservation from knowledgeable local guides
  • Experience the anticipation of waiting for turtles to arrive under the cover of night
  • Watch mother turtles lay and carefully cover their eggs in the sand
  • Take part in a responsible, ranger-led wildlife experience

Know before you go

Duration
4h
Recommended for
4 years old & up
Group
Small group, 10 people or less

What you'll do

Your evening begins with pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle and a drive to Playa Minas, a protected nesting site known for green sea turtles (Pacific and black). Before entering the park, you'll stop at the ranger station to register with your passport, an important step that helps authorities manage and protect this fragile ecosystem. From here, you'll wait alongside your guides as rangers monitor the beach and tides, watching for the first turtles to emerge from the ocean.

Because sea turtles follow their own instincts—not a set schedule—this waiting period can take time. Your guides will use the opportunity to explain the nesting process, turtle conservation efforts, and why strict protocols are followed to minimize disturbance. Once turtles are spotted coming ashore, you'll quietly make your way to the nesting area, guided carefully in the dark to ensure the turtles remain undisturbed.

On the beach, you'll observe as these impressive creatures—often stretching up to five feet (152 cm) in length—dig deep nests in the sand and lay between 65 and 90 eggs. You'll look on as mother turtles carefully cover their nests, instinctively protecting the next generation from predators. Your guide will also explain the roughly 60-day incubation period and how hatchlings eventually emerge and scramble toward the ocean, continuing the cycle of life. It's a powerful, humbling experience that offers a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and the ongoing efforts to protect them.

Start times

  • Monday
    Not available
  • Tuesday
    Not available
  • Wednesday
    Not available
  • Thursday
    Not available
  • Friday
    5:00 pm
  • Saturday
    Not available
  • Sunday
    5:00 pm

What's included

  • Roundtrip transportation from/to hotel
  • Naturalist guide
  • Entrance fee
  • Bottled water
  • Snack

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Traveler reviews

6 total ratings, 6 with reviews
4.7
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.6
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.8
Transport
4.4
Susan
Susan W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 26, 2025
We have seen baby turtles leave their nests to travel to the ocean before, but never seen the mothers come directly to the beach to dig a hole and make a nest in the sand. This time, in total darkness, we saw several mothers come to the beach ready to lay their eggs. While exciting, Christian used red light for us to watch the mothers dig for over 45 minutes before they decided the sand was too wet and marched back into the sea to look for more favorable conditions. Again, it's nature so... Read more

We have seen baby turtles leave their nests to travel to the ocean before, but never seen the mothers come directly to the beach to dig a hole and make a nest in the sand. This time, in total darkness, we saw several mothers come to the beach ready to lay their eggs. While exciting, Christian used red light for us to watch the mothers dig for over 45 minutes before they decided the sand was too wet and marched back into the sea to look for more favorable conditions. Again, it's nature so Christian could not have predicted it, but we were all disappointed. We had ample time to view the vast sky with stars, which was peaceful.

Tips for future travelers

Understand it takes 45 min to one hour for the turtles to dig their nesting holes. We weren't told this beforehand. No cameras/phones are allowed due to the light they create.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
M
Mark P.
Nicetown-Tioga, PA | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2023
This was great and a memorable experience (and a short trip from our hotel). First, it is rare to hire on any beach at night with no man-made light around and it was great to see so many stars. But most importantly, we saw both adult sea turtles coming ashore to try and lay eggs as well as some newly hatched turtles heading to the ocean. That is a once-in-a-life time wildlife sighting. Read more

This was great and a memorable experience (and a short trip from our hotel). First, it is rare to hire on any beach at night with no man-made light around and it was great to see so many stars. But most importantly, we saw both adult sea turtles coming ashore to try and lay eggs as well as some newly hatched turtles heading to the ocean. That is a once-in-a-life time wildlife sighting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A
Alyssa F.
Mundelein, IL | Reviewed on Apr 04, 2023
I had never done an experience like this. Moses was in contact with our groups, giving us the best chance of seeing turtles. We saw nine. It was great. He was very respectful of them, teaching us to be as well. Read more

I had never done an experience like this. Moses was in contact with our groups, giving us the best chance of seeing turtles. We saw nine. It was great. He was very respectful of them, teaching us to be as well.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Joseph
Joseph M.
Grand Lake, CO | Reviewed on Feb 21, 2023
We went out at night and saw mothers coming up on the beach to dig holes and lay their eggs. We also saw baby turtles coming to the surface of the sand and making their way to the ocean - how special to see this whole process. We learned so much about turtles - informative and educational. Read more

We went out at night and saw mothers coming up on the beach to dig holes and lay their eggs. We also saw baby turtles coming to the surface of the sand and making their way to the ocean - how special to see this whole process. We learned so much about turtles - informative and educational.

Tips for future travelers

Quite a drive out the location where turtle nesting area - worth the drive!

Quality of Experience
A beautiful night under the stars learning about turtles, the process of nesting. laying eggs, their incubation and the baby's trek back to the ocean. Special!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide, Christian, was very knowledgeable and took the opportunity to educate us on the preservation of this special animal. Very informative and educational.
Transport
Clean, comfortable, safe and timely. Prepare for the long drive out to nesting grounds.
Jaya
Jaya C.
Hermosa Beach, CA | Reviewed on Jan 05, 2023
We really wanted to do this adventure and we’re lucky to see a few turtles coming offshore. Couple didn’t nest but one did and we saw it digging in sand and laying eggs. It was surreal experience. You’re involved a car drive to a place and then a van drive with a group to a beach. Guide at the beach was knowledgeable but little rude. He was watching out for wild life which is very admirable but would have helped to know some of the rules/things before hand. Read more

We really wanted to do this adventure and we’re lucky to see a few turtles coming offshore. Couple didn’t nest but one did and we saw it digging in sand and laying eggs. It was surreal experience. You’re involved a car drive to a place and then a van drive with a group to a beach. Guide at the beach was knowledgeable but little rude. He was watching out for wild life which is very admirable but would have helped to know some of the rules/things before hand.

Tips for future travelers

My kid had lights on his shoes and was asked to take off. Wish had known before as kiddo didn’t want walk without shoes in dark. My husband and I had yo carry him which was hard.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sabrina
Sabrina S.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Feb 10, 2022
Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. He helped us to find a taxi for the way back which was really great. We saw lots of turtles! Read more

Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. He helped us to find a taxi for the way back which was really great. We saw lots of turtles!

Tips for future travelers

I would suggest bringing a jacket because it gets chilly at night, as well as a blanket or towel to sit on!

Quality of Experience
Seeing the turtles!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was knowledgeable!
Transport
Air Conditioned

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Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

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