This 248Ha wildlife refuge protects the nesting grounds of the Pacific Olive Ridley sea turtle. This species' homing instincts and the limited choice of nesting sites bring regular armadas to this spot, above all from July to December during the moon's last quarter, when you will see them arrive in large groups of hundreds or even thousands of individuals, looking like lots of floating boulders. However, you can see turtles in lesser numbers almost any night you go during the nesting season. Leatherbacks turtles are occasionally seen between November and January, but Hawksbill and Green turtles are very rare here.

Apart from the turtles, there are iguanas, crabs, howler monkeys, coati-mundi and many birds to be seen. Some of the best birding is at the southeast end of the refuge, near the mouth of Nosara River, where there is a small mangrove swamp.

The rocky India Point at the northwest end of the refuge has many tide pools abounding with marine creatures such as fish, sea anemones, sea urchins, starfish and shellfish. Along the beach are thousands of almost transparent ghost crabs, bright red Sally light foot crabs and a variety of lizards. The vegetation behind the beach is sparse, and consists mainly of deciduous trees such as frangipani and stands of cacti.

Southwest coast of Nicoya, 7 km north of Nosara, Guanacaste
Opening hours: Daily, from 8:00 to 16:00
Admission: Approximately US$6 per person