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.

Practical info

External resources
    Last updated:
    Authors:

    People interested

    + 11

    Turtle spotting

    Sea Turtles
    Greece, late May–August
    Baby Turtle Watching
    Cyprus, June–September
    Laniakea or Turtle Beach
    Hawaii, March–November
    Green Turtles
    Galapagos Islands, December–March
    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
    Pensacola, FL, May–October
    Sea Turtles
    Cabo San Lucas, late August–early December
    Turtles Laying Eggs
    Bora Bora, November–January
    Baby Giant Tortoises on Prison Island
    Zanzibar, March–April
    Marine Turtle Nesting Season
    Zanzibar, February–July
    Olive Ridley Turtles
    Costa Rica, August–November
    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
    Leatherback Turtles on the Pacific
    Costa Rica, September–March

    More experiences in Costa Rica

    Limón Carnival
    Costa Rica, October 12, 2024
    Poas Volcano
    Costa Rica, January–April
    New Year's Eve
    Costa Rica, December 31
    Resplendent Quetzal
    Costa Rica, November–April
    Arenal Volcano
    Costa Rica, September–October
    Kiteboarding and Windsurfing
    Costa Rica, November–April
    Fiestas de Zapote
    Costa Rica, December 25, 2024–January 5, 2025
    Easter and Holy Week (Semana Santa)
    Costa Rica, April 13–20, 2025
    Envision Festival
    Costa Rica, March 2–9, 2026
    Coffee Harvest
    Costa Rica, October–February

    Nearby destinations

    North America
    Guatemala
    North America
    Cuba
    North America
    Jamaica
    South America
    Ecuador
    North America
    Panama
    North America
    Honduras
    Ecuador
    Galapagos Islands
    Mexico
    Cancun
    South America
    Colombia
    North America
    Belize