Costa Rica Travel Hub

Location
Las Baulas National Park or Parque Marino las Baulas is situated on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the Province of Guanacaste, near the village of Tamarindo. It is one of the world's rarest of rare sights and the breeding ground for leatherback turtles.

Climate
Las Baulas Marine National Park is hot during the daytime; evenings are usually a very pleasant temperature. Winters are extremely frigid Blizzards become prominent from December through February, A jacket or sweater might be wanted if you are tempted to go out for watching turtles. The rainy season lasts from May to November.

Key Features
The park attracts tourists from across the globe as being a primary nesting site for Leatherback Turtles. These turtles are the largest of the world's sea turtles. The females, which may weigh more than 1000 pounds, lay their eggs on the beach at night. This scintillating process takes place between the months of October and early March, with the peak period from November to February.

In order to minimize visitor impact on the nesting turtles, National Park Service, a governing body, follows a system of reservations, whereby the number of visitors allowed on the beach each night are limited.

Flora and Fauna
Las Baulas Marine National Park vegetation comprises mangrove swamp. It consists of the six species of mangrove known on the Pacific Costa Rican coast. Red mangrove or Rhizophora mangle,which grows in almost uniform groves, is the predominant species, besides other species of trees reaching as high as 30 meters. The varied wildlife species that inhabit this wetland zone includes 57 avian species, including lovely roseate spoonbill or (Ajaia ajaja). You can also find rich varieties of Caymans (Caiman crocodylus and crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus).

Precautions
While you are exploring rich habitats of Leatherback Turtles at Las Baulas National Park, be cautious to drive or walk on the beach above the high tide line or else you would end crushing eggs and hatchlings in the nest. Do not walk on the beach at night, as this scares turtles. Also you should be extremely wary of using camera flash lights on the beach, as this also scares the turtles.

The tourists should speak very softly near a turtle. Also use red lights instead of white lights, since white lights have a glaring effect.

Facilities and Hours
Las Baulas National Park has a well-established and well-connected ranger station at Playa Grande. The station is open from 8 am to 4 pm to national and international tourists.

Ideal time
The best time to visit Las Baulas National Park is from October to February. The turtles lay eggs during nights, and in particular during high tides.

Costa Rica National Parks

Arenal National Park Ballena National Park Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge Barra Honda National Park Braulio Carrillo National Park Cabo Blanco Absolute National Reserve Cahuita National Park Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge Carara National Park Chirripó National Park Corcovado National Park Curú National Wildlife Refuge Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge Golfito National Wildlife Refuge Guanacaste National Park Guayabo National Monument Hitoy-Cerere Biologic Reserve Isla Bolaños National Wildlife Refuge Isla del Caño Biologic Reserve Isla del Coco National Park (World Heritage status) Islas Guayabo, Negritos and Pájaros Biologic Reserves Juán Castro Blanco National Park La Amistad International Park Las Baulas Marine National Park Lomas Barbudal Biologic Reserve Manuel Antonio National Park Orosi (Tapantí) National Park Ostional National Wildlife Refuge Palo Verde National Park Rincón de la Vieja National Park Santa Rosa National Park Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge Tortuguero National Park Volcán Irazú National Park Volcán Poás National Park Irazu Volcano National Park