Turtle Watching

Reserva Playa Tortuga

Ojochal, Costa Ballena · $

Verified against live sources on July 6, 2026

Non-profit research and education center founded in 2009 that protects the olive ridley nesting beach at Playa Tortuga, moving threatened nests into a guarded hatchery and releasing hatchlings. On weekend mornings the reserve runs a public guided walk of its trails and hatchery led by biologist Oscar Brenes, and it also runs a longer-running volunteer program covering night beach patrols during the July-to-December nesting season.

Contact and links

Where to find it

Approximate location. Reserva Playa Tortuga serves the Ojochal area; contact them for the exact spot.

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Wildlife Sanctuary $$

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Non-profit wildlife rescue center between Dominical and Uvita, adjacent to the Savegre Biosphere Reserve and the Paso de la Danta biological corridor connecting the coast to the Osa Peninsula. Alturas has rescued roughly 210 species of native Costa Rican wildlife and runs guided tours, internships and volunteer programs alongside its rehabilitation work.

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ATV Monkey Ride

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Whale & Dolphin Watching $$

Bahia Aventuras

Uvita

A Costa Rican-owned, CST-certified marine tour operator in Bahia Ballena, running humpback whale and dolphin tours inside Marino Ballena National Park since 2007. The same team also runs Cano Island snorkeling, Terraba-Sierpe mangrove kayak and wildlife trips, offshore and inshore sportfishing, and guided night and birding walks. Two whale seasons, July to October and late December to February, bring humpbacks from both hemispheres.

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