Caribbean
Tortuguero National Park protects the Green Sea Turtle, seen June - October but mostly in September, the Giant Leatherbacks, seen March - July, and the Hawksbill, seen in July. We use the Mawamba Lodge in Tortuguero because it not only has canal access, but also beach frontage. This makes it easy to do the turtle walk. No one is allowed on the beach after 6pm without a guide. 350 people are allowed on the beach per night, but even with these limits it does get crowded. You can also see turtles at Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. We recommend Almonds and Corals Tent camp for this.

Pacific
The most popular area is the Las Baulas Marine National Park between Playa Grande and Tamarindo. This park has evolved into perhaps the nation's best managed site. Leatherbacks come ashore from October to April; up to 100 per night at peak. To do the turtle tours, you can stay at Las Tortugas at Playa Grande, any of the hotels in Tamarindo, or Bahia de los Piratas, Sugar Beach, or Playa Conchal.

Other areas for turtle walks on the Pacific are Curu Wildlife Refuge, Ostiaonal National Wildlife Refuge, north of Playa Nosara, and Playa Nancite in Santa Rosa National Park.