Documented nesting beach for four of the world's seven sea turtle species, with guided night tours during nesting season.
Turtle nesting Protected area
Camaronal Wildlife Refuge
Playa Camaronal lies within the Camaronal National Wildlife Refuge, a 234-hectare protected area established in 1994 southeast of Playa Carrillo. It is a nesting site for olive ridley, leatherback, hawksbill, and black sea turtles, with strong currents and open beach breaks that also attract surfers and anglers.
Reached via an unpaved road south of Playa Carrillo into the Camaronal refuge entrance; the refuge charges an entrance fee and is open 6am to 6pm daily.
Species: Olive ridley, Leatherback, Green turtle, Hawksbill
Nesting season: July to February; olive ridleys peak September-October, leatherbacks peak November-January
One of only four beaches in Costa Rica documented to host nesting by all four of these species; SINAC and trained guides run night patrols during the season.
Playa Carrillo
Carrillo Tours runs a guided night turtle tour to a nesting beach near Samara and Carrillo, timed to half tide during nesting season to watch Olive Ridley turtles come ashore, dig nests, and lay eggs. The company operates out of both Playa Samara and Playa Carrillo and books the tour alongside its other ocean and mangrove excursions.
Playa Carrillo
A yoga and wellness community on the beach at Playa Carrillo, established in 2010, offering yoga classes, retreats, and 200-hour teacher trainings alongside surf coaching and surf camps. It also runs stand-up paddleboard tours and lessons and surfboard rentals. The yoga shala sits above the Musmanni bakery in Playa Samara, with surf lessons held at Playa Carrillo.
Playa Carrillo
The longest established sportfishing operation in Playa Carrillo, running for 29 seasons under owner and captain Rick Ruhlow with mate Orlando. The Kingfisher, a 31 foot Palm Beach with a tower and outriggers, specializes in offshore trips for marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado and wahoo.