Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nesting season is from October to March. It's fairly common to see turtles lay their eggs
here on any given night, but it may not be a leatherback. Chances of seeing one of these
giants hover around 10%, while you are 95% sure to see a green or black turtle.
The leatherback is critically endangered and, despite increased conservation efforts,
fewer leatherbacks are nesting on Playa Grande each year. In an effort to protect the
dwindling population, park rangers collect eggs and incubate them to increase their
chances of survival. Even so, sea turtles must hatch on the beach and enter the water by
themselves, otherwise memory imprinting does not occur, and the hatchlings will never re-
turn to their birthplace to nest. It's estimated that only 10% of hatchlings survive to adult-
hood, though leatherbacks can live more than 50 years, and females lay multiple clutches
of eggs during a single nesting season.
The park office is by the northern entrance to Playa Grande. Reservations for turtle-
watching can be made up to seven days in advance. Many hotels and tourist agencies in
Tamarindo also book tours that include transportation, as well as park admission and a
guided tour.
The show kicks off anytime after 9pm. (Be prepared to wait. It could be a very long
night - but well worth it.) Tourists are not allowed on the beach until the turtles have made
it to dry sand. Guards with two-way radios will alert your guide, who will accompany you
to a designated viewing area. Photography, filming or lights of any kind are prohibited to
protect the turtles. Over the span of one to two hours, you can watch as the turtle digs its
nest, lays about 80 to 90 shiny silver eggs and then buries them in the sand (while grunting
and groaning).
Activities
Surfing is most people's motivation for coming to Playa Grande, and it is indeed spectacu-
lar.
Frijoles Locos Surf & Spa
SURFING
( 8354-2044;
www.frijoleslocos.com
;
boards per hour US$10-20, lessons per hour US$30;
9am-5pm)
An all-purpose surf shop where you can rent surfboards and sign up for lessons. After-
ward, you can recover with a deep tissue massage or other spa treatments. This place also
