Best time to travel to Costa Rica

Leatherback Turtles on the Pacific in Costa Rica 2025-2026

Costa Rica is full of spots to watch turtles during their nesting period

Best time: September–March

The largest of all living turtles, the leatherback can measure up to around 2 meters and weigh up to 700 kg! Come to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica to watch these huge but cute guys nesting, since this is the time when they are the least scared of people.

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    Turtle spotting

    Sea Turtles
    Greece, late May–August
    Baby Turtle Watching
    Cyprus, June–September
    Green Turtles
    Galapagos Islands, December–March
    Laniakea or Turtle Beach
    Hawaii, March–November
    Baby Turtle Release
    Mexico, July–mid-November (Atlantic Coast) | December–March (Pacific Coast)
    Turtle Nesting and Hatching
    Cancun, May–mid-October
    Speedy Turtles
    Guatemala, September–February
    Baby Turtles
    Puerto Rico, April–August
    Swimming with Turtles
    Barbados, February–July (leatherback) | late May–early October (hawksbill and green)
    Turtle Watching
    Sri Lanka, January–April
    Turtle Nesting Season
    Goa, November–April
    Loggerhead Turtles
    Turkey, late May–early September
    Turtle Nesting
    South Africa, November–March
    Baby Turtles Hatching Season
    Bora Bora, late July–August
    Turtle Town in Maui
    Hawaii, May–September
    Sea Turtles
    Cabo San Lucas, late August–early December
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    Pensacola, FL, May–October
    Turtles Laying Eggs
    Bora Bora, November–January
    Baby Giant Tortoises on Prison Island
    Zanzibar, March–April
    Olive Ridley Turtles
    Costa Rica, August–November
    Marine Turtle Nesting Season
    Zanzibar, February–July
    Sea Turtle Hatching
    Maldives, July–August (all year round)
    Loggerhead Turtle
    Canary Islands, June–August
    Sea Turtle Nesting and Hatching
    Honduras, August–October (nesting) | October–December (hatching)
    Turtle Nesting and Hatching
    Oman, May–September
    Turtle Nesting Season
    Belize, May 1–November 30
    Sea Turtle Hatchlings
    Tanzania, June–August
    Watching Sea Turtles
    Panama, September–December
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    Costa Rica, September–March

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