Las Baulas National Marine Park

Las Baulas Marine Park covers a range of terrain on the Guanacaste Gold Coast encompassing the beaches of Playa Grande, Carbon, Ventanas and Langosta and also includes the Tamarindo Estuary. Playa Grande is known as one of the largest leatherback turtle nesting sites in the world. Every year between October and March, hundreds of leatherbacks come ashore to lay their eggs. These Jurassic reptiles, the largest of all sea turtles, can weigh upwards of 1,500 pounds (680 kg.) and measure 6-feet (1.8 m.) in length. The beaches in Las Baulas Marine Park support over 800 nesting sea turtles annually, but despite impressive regional numbers, the leatherback remains highly endangered and at risk of extinction in the Pacific.

Last updated: Oct 21, 2023