TURTLE SPAWNING

If you are in Tortuguero in the right season (July to September), you can make the unmissable outing of the area: with a guide, you go to the beach to watch the turtles lay their eggs. The access to the beach is now divided into 5 sectors to allow visitors to have a chance to see the turtles when they lay their eggs, without it being complete anarchy. From June 15 to October 30, access to the beach is prohibited. Only lookouts are allowed to patrol the beach. They come to get the tourists and their guides in small groups. On the path along the beach, they wait. When the turtle is identified and starts working, the guide is informed by radio and the tourists are allowed to come on the beach. Their ballet is skillfully orchestrated. The observation is done from 8 pm to 10 pm, or from 10 pm to midnight. There is not really an ideal time: when there are many turtles, you will see them for sure, otherwise you will have to rely on your luck. In the low season, from October 31 to June 14, you can walk with a guide on the beach, but the chances of seeing turtles are then quite slim. If you haven't booked a package, ask your hotel to organize this trip for you. Patrolling with a guide is an exhilarating experience because the waves become quite impressive at night, and the darkness of the forest can only let you imagine the wild life that is active there, especially the mythical jaguar, present in numbers in the area. An unforgettable experience.