Turtle Conservation

The pristine expanse of coastline adjacent to CIRENAS is an important site for the nesting of all four species of turtles found in Costa Rica – Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green turtles.

Natural predators like crabs, dogs, birds, and felines, along with human intervention for the consumption of turtle eggs, present a serious threat to the survival of baby turtles, with species endangerment becoming a near-future possibility.

CIRENAS seeks to work with volunteers, guests and local community members to ensure the longevity of Costa Rica’s turtle species as a vital part of the ocean ecosystem. We invite visitors and locals to learn about and participate in our turtle conservation efforts by locating existing nests, recording accurate data on regular evening and early morning patrols, developing best practices for protecting turtle nests, and helping baby turtles avoid predators on their journey to the sea.