National park · Costa Rica
Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine ParkParque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste
Visit Las Baulas de Guanacaste: pay the entry fee (≈ CRC 2,000 per person), hike Playa Grande early in the dry season for turtle nesting, and stay in Tamarindo (≈ 30 min drive).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
175 km² (68 sq mi)68 sq mi (175 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Jan–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
- Guanacaste ↗Dec–Apr is the dry season; many beach towns are at peak prices and full over Christmas and Easter week.
- Guanacaste ↗A car helps on the coast; unpaved access roads and one-lane bridges are common, and Waze is the standard app.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 175 km² (68 sq mi)68 sq mi (175 km²)
- 167 km² sea surface, <8 km² land (check).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Jan–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine Park protects critical leatherback nesting beaches, mangrove habitats and surf spots, offering guided night walks, birdwatching trails and wave riding for nature‑focused visitors.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandDesignated Ramsar wetland.
Size and age
175 km² (68 sq mi)68 sq mi (175 km²) · national park since 1991
167 km² sea surface, <8 km² land (check).
Why go
- Watch leatherback turtles nest on the Pacific coast.
- Birdwatching among 174 shorebird species.
- Surf the offshore waves at Playa Grande.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanPeak leatherback nesting.
- FebNesting continues, dry weather.
- MarStill nesting, occasional rain.
- AprEnd of nesting season.
- MayHeat, fewer turtles.
- JunRainy, less wildlife activity.
- JulRainy season, rough surf.
- AugRainy, high surf.
- SepRainy, limited turtle activity.
- OctStart of secondary nesting period.
- NovDry, good surf.
- DecDry, pleasant weather.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leatherback sea turtle (nesting)Oct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Green and hawksbill turtlesOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Coastal birds (sandpipers, plovers, herons)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Playa Grande | Main nesting beach, visitor centre, ranger station. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Playa Carbón | Quiet beach, mangrove edge, birdwatching. | Open, limited facilities. |
| Playa Ventanas | Surf spot, coastal forest trail. | Open, surfboard access. |
| Playa Langosta | Remote beach, turtle nesting, mangrove. | Open, guided tours recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on Playa Grande ranger station; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | CRC 2,000 | person | Approximate 2026 estimate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Lighting
- No artificial lights on beaches at night; use red‑filtered flash only.
- Guides
- Night nesting walks require a certified park ranger guide.
- Camping
- Camping not permitted inside park; stay in Tamarindo or designated campsites outside.
- Pets
- Pets not allowed on park beaches.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; only use provided grills at designated areas.
Where to stay
Near the park
Tamarindo town
Hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs 30 min from park gate.
Near the park
Playa Grande lodges
Boutique hotels directly on the beach, convenient for early turtle walks.
Safety
Strong surf and rip currents medium
Heat and dehydration low
Nighttime wildlife encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main beach access via paved road; short walks to ranger station.
- Steep dunes and sand may be challenging for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned accommodations.
- Support park fees and guided tours that fund conservation.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine Park?
Entry is about CRC 2,000 per adult (children free); purchase at the park gate or online.
What are the best hikes in Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine Park?
The beach‑to‑beach trail from Playa Grande to Playa Carbón (easy, 2 km) and the mangrove boardwalk near Rio Matapalo (easy, 1 km) are top options.
When is the best time to visit Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine Park?
January–February for peak leatherback nesting, and the dry season (December–April) for good weather and surf.
Can I camp inside the park?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in Tamarindo or nearby lodges.
Do I need a guide for turtle watching?
Yes, night nesting walks require a certified ranger guide.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine Park
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