Costa Rica National Parks

Las Baulas National Marine Park

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	Area	936 terrestrial acres 54,000 marine acres
	Location	Guanacaste Province
	Date of Creation	9 July 1991
Playa Grande, Costa Rica

Park Attractions

Las Baulas National Marine Park (Parque Marino las Baulas) is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica near the town of Tamarindo. It supports the largest nesting colony of leatherback sea turtles (baulas) on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, with a population size of about 800 female turtles nesting per year. Nesting season is approximately November through April.

Although Playa Tamarindo is not included in the National Park, its 50 meter zone is also protected. This is the case with all coastal areas in Costa Rica. The first 50 meters above median high-tide is considered to be protected public lands.

See also Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge

Leatherback Sea Turtle Hatchlings
Baulas Tortuguitas

The National Park is comprised of the 50-meter zone of four beaches (Carbón, Ventanas, Grande and Langosta), as well as the Tamarindo estuary and mangroves at the mouth of the Matapalo River and the San Francisco River Estuary. To the north, the Cerros Morro and Hermosa are also included. (see park map above)

Location and Directions

From the intersection on the PanAmerican Highway at Liberia, drive west towards the Pacific coast. At the town of Belén, take a right turn and continue on paved road for 15 miles, until reaching the community of Huacas. Here follow a gravel road 5 miles further through the town of Matapalo and on to Salinas, where you enter the national park on Playa Grande. (see park map above)

Park Facilities and Hours

The ranger station at Playa Grande is open from 8 am to 4 pm. Guided tours are available with bi-lingual park employees. For minimum impact, a limited number of visitors is allowed each evening.