Experience the magic of sea turtle nesting and hatching in Ostional, Costa Rica. Witness thousands of Olive Ridley turtles arrive during arribadas, and watch baby turtles make their first journey to the ocean. Best seen July–December with peak activity Sept–Nov.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Wildlife Experience – Witness a Natural Wonder: Sea Turtle Nesting and Hatching in Ostional, Costa Rica. 

Welcome to Ostional, a hidden gem on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula where nature puts on one of its most breathtaking shows. Nestled along the Pacific coast, this quiet beach becomes a stage for thousands of sea turtles that return year after year in a ritual that draws nature lovers, photographers, and curious travelers from around the world.

If you’re looking for a truly unforgettable experience, witnessing the arribada—a mass sea turtle nesting event—should be at the top of your Costa Rica bucket list.

Tucked along the wild Pacific coastline of Costa Rica, the beach at Ostional holds one of the most spectacular wildlife events on Earth. Here, under moonless skies and crashing waves, thousands of Olive Ridley sea turtles emerge from the ocean in a ritual as old as time. This is no ordinary nesting—it’s an arribada.

The Magic of the Arribada

In the language of nature, arribada means “arrival,” and in Ostional, it’s nothing short of a phenomenon. Between July and December, during Costa Rica’s rainy season, the beach transforms into a living, moving landscape. These mass nesting events—some of the largest in the world—reach their peak in September and October, when wave after wave of Olive Ridleys come ashore.

Timed with the lunar cycle, the turtles begin to arrive a few days before the new moon. Under the darkest skies, usually between 8 PM and 4 AM, females heave themselves onto the sand, each one instinctively returning to the very same beach where she was born. Using her flippers like scoops, she digs a nest and lays around 80 to 100 eggs before covering them and disappearing once more into the sea.

From Shell to Sea: The Journey of the Hatchlings

Roughly 45 to 65 days later—depending on the temperature of the sand, which fascinatingly determines whether the hatchlings will be male or female—new life breaks through. Tiny flippers push through the warm earth as the baby turtles emerge, often under the cloak of night or the cooler hours of early morning.

This dash to the sea is a race against time and predators. Only a small fraction of the thousands that hatch will survive the perilous journey to adulthood. But nature has a strategy: by laying eggs in large synchronized numbers, the odds of survival for each hatchling increase.

The hatching season typically runs from April to December, and like the nesting season, it’s full of surprises. Watching dozens—or even hundreds—of baby turtles navigate their first moments of life on a beach bathed in golden light is an unforgettable, humbling experience.

When to Visit Ostional for Sea Turtle Sightings

Sea turtle activity happens year-round at Ostional, but if you’re hoping to witness a true arribada, plan your visit between September and November. During these peak months, it’s possible to see tens of thousands of Olive Ridleys carpeting the beach in one breathtaking event. Even in the quieter months of July and August, smaller groups may still appear, offering a more intimate glimpse into this awe-inspiring cycle

A Responsible Encounter with Nature

Ostional is one of the few places in the world where humans and sea turtles have coexisted in a unique conservation model. Visiting with a certified local guide not only ensures your experience is respectful and educational, but it also directly supports the community and the ongoing protection of these ancient mariners.

Whether you witness the slow, determined arrival of nesting mothers or the tiny, chaotic scramble of hatchlings to the waves, Ostional offers a front-row seat to one of the planet’s most profound displays of life. It’s not just something you’ll see—it’s something you’ll feel.

Best Time to See Sea Turtles in Ostional