The shoreline of Playa Grande is protected by the over 400 hectare of Playa Grande Marine Turtle National Park. This park is a protected area of the nesting of the famous Leatherback Turtle and also includes over 20,000 hectares into the sea.
The Playa Grande Marine Turtle National Park was declared a national park in 1990 after it was deemed necessary to save the Leatherback Turtles nesting in Costa Rica.
The Playa Grande Marine Turtle National Park is dotted with dry forest and a beach that continues till Rio Matapalo. The Rio Matapalo also forms a large mangrove estuary. The Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge has been established as a protector of the eco system and houses monkeys, crocodiles and anteaters. There are various species of birds that migrate to this region.
The beach is only open from October 15th to February 15th every year. There is strict restriction on the number of visitors allowed at the beach, especially at night time during nesting season. Guides roam the beaches and they let the visitors know when they sight turtles. For a visit to the Playa Grande Marine Turtle National Park, it is advisable to do some research and approach the right authorities so that everything is in place. No suddenness is allowed on the Playa Grande Marine Turtle National Park.
If you are a lover of nature, then you must visit the Playa Grande Marine Turtle National Park during nesting season of the Leatherback Turtles. This nesting season is between October and March when hoards of female Leatherbacks swim up to the beach to lay their eggs. It is an experience worth experiencing.
Apart from watching the Leatherbacks laying their eggs, there are other activities that you can undertake at the Playa Grande Marine Turtle National Park in Costa Rica. You can roam the forests to see some rare species of flora and fauna. You can also bask under the sun and generally enjoy your time at the beach. Since there are restrictions on the number of visitors, especially during nesting season, you may want to go as a relatively smaller group to enjoy the spectacle.
