Ostional: Beach, Arribadas and Conservation

Two distinct aspects make Ostional a destination of choice: its coastal character and the conservation issues surrounding turtles. The beach has gray sand and strong waves; there are also arribadas and a long-running project to harvest turtle eggs.

Arribadas, Beach and Wildlife Refuge

Arribadas take place year-round, once or twice a month, along a stretch of beach about 800 meters long. Between 15,000 and 200,000 females arrive; frequency and scale can vary. For planning purposes, the timing and size are two distinct considerations: the event recurs throughout the year, while the number of arriving females fluctuates. The beach has gray sand and strong waves; conditions can vary. If you are planning a beach visit, take this variability into account.

The Ostional National Wildlife Refuge encompasses the beaches of Ostional, Nosara, Peladas, and Guiones. The arribadas in Ostional take place within a protected area that includes all four beaches listed above.

Since 1987, the Asociación de Desarrollo Integral de Ostional (ADIO) has operated the turtle egg harvesting project. It is a long-running community-based conservation and management practice. The arribadas reflect natural dynamics; the project represents community management.

More Perspectives in Guanacaste

In Guanacaste, Palo Verde National Park lies between the Bebedero and Tempisque rivers in the lower Tempisque Basin, in the canton of Bagaces.

The elevated La Jacana Trail runs above Palo Verde Lagoon, is 20 meters long, and is suitable for birdwatching. Also in Guanacaste, the 540-meter La Roca Trail is a loop leading to a viewpoint overlooking Lake Palo Verde, the Tempisque River, and the Gulf of Nicoya. The two trail types offer different highlights: birdwatching on La Jacana and scenic views at the destination on La Roca.

In Guanacaste, Santa Rosa National Park was the site of the historic battle of March 20, 1856. It is Costa Rica’s only protected wild area with a historical museum within its boundaries. At Playa Naranjo in the park, visitors can surf, camp, and use trails near the mangrove area; conditions can vary.

Ceramics are also part of Guanacaste’s regional cultural heritage: in Guaitil de Santa Cruz and San Vicente de Nicoya, a pottery tradition more than 5,000 years old continues using traditional techniques inherited from the Chorotega; visitors buy the resulting ceramic pieces. Guanacaste’s traditional cuisine includes, among other dishes, tortillas guanacastecas, tanelas, tayuyas, and tamales, as well as arroz de maíz, rosquillas, bizcochos, pozol, and chicheme.

Discover more destinations: Bagaces, Los Andes, Puerto Humo, Panamá, Arenal, Villareal, Bijagua, Canas Dulces.

For the regional travel overview: Guanacaste.