Turtle Nesting Tour in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Turtle Nesting Tour

Outty Ranking 72 4.6 · 161 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $65
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Outty Ranking

72/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.6/5

Based on 161 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Turtle Nesting Tour worth booking?

Turtle Nesting Tour is a 3-hour experience in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, from $65 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 161 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
72 / 100
Rating
4.6/5 (161)
Duration
3 hours
From
$65 per person

Spend a truly unforgettable evening observing turtles nesting! - Venture off the beaten track to beautiful, hidden beaches - Look for turtle tracks in the sand that will lead you to their nesting sites - Observe sea turtles making their nests on the beach above the high tide mark and laying their eggs, before returning to the ocean

What you get

    About this experience

    Spend a truly unforgettable evening observing turtles nesting! - Venture off the beaten track to beautiful, hidden beaches - Look for turtle tracks in the sand that will lead you to their nesting sites - Observe sea turtles making their nests on the beach above the high tide mark and laying their eggs, before returning to the ocean

    What's included

    Included

    • Bottled water
    • Flash Light
    • Snacks

    Not included

    • Gratuity
    • Long sleeve top and trousers, must be dark clothing as not to distract the turtles
    • Comfortable shoes for walking
    • Mosquito Repellent

    What you'll see and do

    1. Playa Mina

      We’ll pick you up from your location in Tamarindo before driving approximately 17 miles / 25km or 40 minutes through scenic tracks to a hidden beach, close to the beautiful Playa Minas. Once parked, the turtle nesting beach is only accessible via a 10-15 minute walk. As the beach is inaccessible by car it remains dark and undisturbed for nesting sea turtles. This is why they choose to nest on this beach. On reaching the beach we’ll walk looking for turtle tracks, which will lead us to where the turtles are making their nests. We’ll then sit facing the back of the turtle. observe them deposit their eggs and return to the water; a truly unforgettable experience! It is possible to see more than one kind of turtle; including the green, black, olive ridley and if we’re lucky the leatherbacks too. We respect the turtles at all times by closely following rules laid out by the government conservation authorities so as not to be noticed by the turtles while observing them very closely. We’ll spend approximately an hour on the beach before returning to drop you off at your location in Tamarindo. Minimum 2 bookings are needed for the tour to operate.

      180 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Tamarindo

    We will meet at Supermercado La Oruga

    Meeting point

    Tamarindo

    We will meet on the road across from the entrance to Pangas Beach Club

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    We will meet at Supermercado La Oruga

    Ends at

    We will meet on the road across from the entrance to Pangas Beach Club

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 10 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Sol Eco Adventures

    Know before you go

    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Turtle Nesting Tour in Tamarindo, photo 2Turtle Nesting Tour in Tamarindo, photo 3Turtle Nesting Tour in Tamarindo, photo 4Turtle Nesting Tour in Tamarindo, photo 5Turtle Nesting Tour in Tamarindo, photo 6Turtle Nesting Tour in Tamarindo, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 161 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    8 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Value for money

    3 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    161 verified traveler reviews for Turtle Nesting Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    134
    4 star
    10
    3 star
    7
    2 star
    4
    1 star
    6
    Sort
    Anonymous · September 2026

    Great experience with Luis!

    What a great experience with Luis! He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the Pacific green turtles and their nesting habits. We went out near Tamarindo under some of the most challenging conditions—low tide, rain, a full moon, and rough seas—but Luis knew exactly what he was doing. Despite the conditions, we were fortunate enough to see two Pacific green turtles, which made the experience truly unforgettable. Luis was patient, informative, and respectful of the turtles throughout the entire tour. His knowledge really added to the experience, and we learned so much along the way. Highly recommend this tour if you’re in the Tamarindo area and want to see these amazing animals in their natural environment. An incredible experience we’ll never forget!

    Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I am very glad you were able to see 2 turtles even on not so favorable conditions ! We try hard to give our clients the best possible experience, But our priorities are always to respect and protect the turtles and all kinds of wildlife. Thank for your support and I hope you ll return soon on the hatching season . It was my pleasure to be your guide. Thanks again Luis

    via Viator

    95dianneu · September 2026

    Great experience

    This was a fantastic activity. The guide went above and beyond to make sure the experience was memorable for everyone in our group - from children to seniors. We saw many nesting turtles and he ensured we were all respectful of them. I highly recommend this operator. D

    Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your great review. We always try our best to give our clients the best possible exoerience but the turtles is our first priority. Thanks again. Blessings Luis

    via Tripadvisor

    rasmusf2024 · September 2026

    Amazing evening tour with crabs and a giant turtle

    We had a great time with our guide Luis! We went on the hike in September when it's very, very rare to find turtles, but somehow Luis managed to find a giant Green Turtle which was just about to lay its eggs. We got to spend an hour just watching it, and you could feel how Luis really cared about the animals and made sure that we didn't disturb the turtle. We also got to see tons of ghost crabs, hermit crabs and Halloween crabs which was cool as well! One thing to note is that the hike to the beach is around 15mins in terrain in the dark. So if you're afraid of that or have trouble walking this might not be the tour for you. It was not a problem for us and it made the experience so much more special and also meant us being alone on the whole beach so it was definitely worth it!

    Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your wonderful review. It was a great night. We saw the largest green turtle i ever see making a nest and laying eggs and no other people around. It was awesome. Thanks for coming. You were delightful company. Blessings! Luis

    via Tripadvisor

    phuongc525 · August 2026

    Turtles netting

    Luis was very knowledgeable and shared many information about turtles and local wildlife. Unfortunately we did not see any turtles

    Response from the operator: Thanks for review, we didn't see turtles, but children were getting tired ,so we left, Sometimes turtles take their time, so patience is needed. And just to remind everyone, ifvyou don't see turtles, we offer a free trip back. No expiration date, whenever you return . Thanks Luis

    via Tripadvisor

    Scenic29146142822 · June 2026

    Amazing Sunset & Turtle Nesting Tour - June2026

    Our turtle nesting tour with Sol Eco Adventures was nothing short of extraordinary. From start to finish, the experience was professional, educational, and deeply respectful of the wildlife we were there to observe. Luis was incredibly knowledgeable [scientist-level], sharing fascinating insights about the sea turtles, their nesting behaviors, and the conservation efforts to help protect these remarkable animals. Witnessing an emerging leatherback turtle in the natural habitat was one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife experiences we've ever had. Luis carefully balanced guest experience with environmental responsibility, ensuring the turtle remained undisturbed while providing unforgettable viewing opportunities [+guidance]. What stood out most was Luis' passion for animals & Costa Rica. His genuine commitment to conservation was evident throughout the tour and made the experience even more meaningful. We left with a greater appreciation for these incredible creatures and the importance of protecting them now knowing all they overcome to survive. If you're visiting Costa Rica and have the opportunity to join a turtle nesting tour with Luis/Sol Eco Adventures, don't hesitate. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that combines adventure, education, and conservation in the best possible way. Highly recommended. Five stars.

    Response from the operator: Wow!!!! Best review ever, i really appreciate your awesome review. It was a great experience, and it was very nice to meet you and be able share nature's beauty with you Blessings! Luis

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    56
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Sol Eco Adventures, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 63.0.

    See everything Sol Eco Adventures runs

    Why this scores 72

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)73
    Review evidence (18% weight)77
    Booking momentum (14% weight)72
    Value for money (12% weight)79
    Listing quality (10% weight)67
    Local standing (8% weight)27
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Turtle Nesting Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tamarindo.

    How much does Turtle Nesting Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $65 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tamarindo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Turtle Nesting Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tamarindo is not rushed.

    Is Turtle Nesting Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 161 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Tamarindo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Turtle Nesting Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Turtle Nesting Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Turtle Nesting Tour?

    +

    Around 56 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tamarindo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tamarindo and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Turtle Nesting Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tamarindo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Tamarindo?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Tamarindo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Surf Lesson in Tamarindo - Stand Up or Your Money Back!, Sunset Catamaran & Snorkeling Tour in Playa Flamingo, Fundive Catalina Islands (2 dives, only for certified divers). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Tamarindo?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Tamarindo?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Turtle Nesting Tour?

    +

    Included: Bottled water; Flash Light; and Snacks. Not included: Gratuity; Long sleeve top and trousers, must be dark clothing as not to distract the turtles; Comfortable shoes for walking; and Mosquito Repellent. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Turtle Nesting Tour?

    +

    We will meet at Supermercado La Oruga Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Turtle Nesting Tour offered in?

    +

    It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Turtle Nesting Tour?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Turtle Nesting Tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Turtle Nesting Tour?

    +

    Across 161 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, value for money. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

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