Page 73 - SOUTH GUANACASTE TOURIST GUIDE

Protected Zones
Camaronal
Wildlife Refuge
Located in Zapotal de Nandayure, the Camaronal Refuge is popular because it is a nesting site for four sea turtle species: leatherback, black, hawksbill and olive ridley, which hatch during different times of the year. However, the most common are the olive ridley and black turtles, since the hawksbill and leatherback turtles are endangered. Uninhabited Playa Camaronal has gray sand and blue water, stretching over 3 km between the mouth of the Río Ora in the west and the cliffs of Punta Camaronal to the southeast of the beach.
The turtle nesting process is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, an opportunity that captivates locals and foreigners alike. It is a natural spectacle that offers the opportunity to see live the arrival of these majestic reptiles to the beach; the size, variety and quantity that can be observed under the moonlight and the starry sky is truly impressive.
When to visit?
During Costa Rica’s rainy season, from May to November, is the best time to see sea turtles.
Hours of operation: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Because adult sea turtles only lay their eggs at night, tour guides must be hired outside of visiting hours.
• • • •
4 species of sea turtles:
Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas).
May 2, 1994
the Camaronal Wildlife Refuge was created to protect mangroves and wildlife, including the four species of sea turtles.
Its beautiful waves make it a great destination for surfers. The largest wave ever recorded on the beach reached about 20 m. It also offers many recreational tourist activities such as fishing.
It has exuberant vegetation,
with mangrove vegetation predominating, as well as trees including Madero Negro
de Montaña (Lennea viridiflora), el Corteza Amarilla (Tabebuia chrysantha), el Guácimo (Guazuma ulmifolia), el Guapinol (Hymenaea courbaril), entre muchos otros.
Fantastic for birdwatching
with species such as hawks, cranes, herons, tiger hummingbirds and green kingfishers. There are also other animals such as iguanas, armadillos and monkeys.
$
$40 is the approximate cost of hiring a guide.
73