Night Sea Turtle Watching from Tamarindo: Playa Minas

Watch three types of sea turtles nest on one of Costa Rica's most active beaches.

A four-hour night activity from Tamarindo to Playa Minas, one of Costa Rica's most important turtle nesting sites, where you walk the beach with a bilingual guide, flashlights and walking rods to observe nesting sea turtles from October through March. You may see hatchlings, nesting females and up to three different species in a single night.

What’s included

• Bilingual guide in Spanish and English.
• bottled water.
• flashlights.
• walking rods.
• free transportation from Tamarindo to Playa Minas.

Times

• Every day 17:00

Before you book

Group Up to 20

Live guide English and Spanish

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. You can choose from 50 pickup points.

Ages Adult (11 and older) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Infant seats available Pets welcome Public transport nearby Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Tamarindo Xperience

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

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The experience

The activity runs four hours from pickup in Tamarindo. After a 25-minute drive to Playa Minas, you walk the nesting beach at night with a guide who carries flashlights and walking rods to help you move safely through the sand and get close to the turtles without disturbing them. Bottled water is provided throughout.

Playa Minas is one of the most important nesting beaches in Costa Rica, drawing high numbers of turtles from October to March. On a single night you can encounter hatchlings making their way to the ocean, nesting females, and up to three different species. The guide speaks Spanish and English, so you follow the commentary in whichever language works for you.

Children from age five are welcome on this activity. Infants can come if held by an adult, and specialized infant seats are available. The walk is moderate in intensity and requires at least a moderate level of fitness. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy. Service animals are allowed.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time of year do sea turtles nest at Playa Minas?

Playa Minas sees high numbers of nesting turtles from October through March, the peak season for this activity.

What types of sea turtles might I see on this night walk?

You may encounter up to three different species nesting on the beach, along with hatchlings heading to the ocean on the same night.

How far is Playa Minas from Tamarindo?

The drive from Tamarindo to the nesting beach takes around 25 minutes, and transportation is included in the booking.

What gear and equipment do I get for the beach walk?

You receive flashlights, walking rods to help navigate the sand, and bottled water throughout the four-hour activity.