Tortuguero means “Land of the Turtles”—a fitting name for a location regarded as one of the most important on earth for sea turtle nesting.

Depending on the time of year, you might see green sea turtles, leatherbacks, hawksbills, or loggerheads struggling up pebbled sand beaches.

They come here, on Costa Rica’s north Caribbean coast, to lay their eggs. While the sight of any turtle emerging from the tide is incredible to behold, the green sea turtle is singularly impressive. Tortuguero is one of the 400-pound turtle’s most important nesting grounds.

Journey out onto a dusky beach and see one of nature’s great wonders.