Ostional Wildlife Refuge

The Ostional Wildlife Refuge on the Nicoya Peninsula protects the important nesting beaches for Olive Ridley, Leatherback and Pacific Green sea turtles.

It is one of the two most important nesting areas in the world for Olive Ridley turtles. Encompassing the beaches of Ostional, Nosara, and Guiones, the Ostional Wildlife Refuge receives arrivals of huge numbers of sea turtles that come ashore all at once every year to lay their eggs. Called "arribadas", this phenomenon takes place four to 10 times between July and December, lasting approximately four to eight days each time.