Ostional Wildlife Refuge

Region: North Pacific
Location: Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste Province
Size: 33.1 sq. miles including a 200 meter beach strip and 3 miles out to sea
National Park since: 1984
Highlights: Olive ridley sea turtles nesting site
Facilities: nearby towns of Tamarindo, Ostional, Nosara, San Juanillo and Samara

This wildlife refuge was set up to protect the nesting sites of the Olive ridley, Leatherback and Pacific green turtles that lay their eggs on the beach between July and December. This is the only refuge in the world that allows the legal harvesting of turtle eggs in an effort to prevent poaching. The locals are permitted to collect and sell a percentage of turtle eggs from the initial three days of every arribada.

In addition to the turtles, this national refuge is home to iguanas, coatis, monkeys and many birds.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

Contact the Ostional Wildlife Refuge at (506) 2682-0400 for more information.
Contact Volunteers Associations ASVO at (506) 8843-2324
Ostional Local Guides Association: (506) 2682-0430