Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Ostional Wildlife Refuge is one of the world's most significant nesting grounds for olive ridley sea turtles. Spanning both marine and terrestrial environments, the refuge was established in 1984 to protect the turtles' nesting habitats. The most notable event in the refuge is the 'arribada,' a phenomenon where thousands of sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs over several days. These occur regularly throughout the year, with the largest numbers from August to December. In addition to olive ridleys, leatherback and Pacific green turtles also sporadically nest here. The refuge's coast is a crucial reproductive site, with its warm sands providing ideal conditions for egg incubation. Visitors can not only observe the nesting process but also see hatchlings emerge and make their way to the ocean. Besides turtles, the refuge supports a variety of wildlife, including diverse bird species and marine life. Due to its biodiversity and conservation value, Ostional is a focus of ecological research and education.
