Fun day tour from L’acqua Viva Resort: Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge

An easy 90-minute drive up the coast from L’acqua Viva Resort & Spa is the remarkable Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge. A part of the Tempisque Conservation Area, the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge protects the saltwater mangrove forest of the Tamarindo Estuary and the mouth of the Matapalo River.

The refuge spans 953 acres and is located between the surf town of Tamarindo and Playa Grande, which is part of the Las Baulas National Marine Park, one of the largest Leatherback turtle nesting sites in the world.

The Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge is an important gateway to these sea turtle nesting beaches. Every year, between October and March, hundreds of Leatherback, Pacific Green, Hawksbill and Olive Ridley sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

There are five species of mangrove trees in the Tamarindo Estuary, which provide a unique habitat for many fish and other animals. The estuary’s winding canals are filled with birds like ospreys, herons, white ibis, kingfishers and egrets, along with American Crocodiles, basilisk lizards, howler monkeys, white-faced Capuchin monkeys, and coatis.

Kayak and boat tours of the fascinating plant and animal life in the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge can be arranged.

To get to the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge from L’acqua Viva Resort & Spa, drive up the coast past the Ostional Wildlife Refuge to Hwy 152 and then Hwy155. Hotel reception staff will be more than happy to help you with directions, transportation and tours.

L'acqua Viva Resort & Spa at Playa Guiones in Nosara can arrange all of the top adventure and nature tours in Nosara. Be sure to visit the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, famous for the mass arrivals of Olive Ridley sea turtles that lay their eggs from July to December.

One of the finest luxury hotels in Costa Rica, L’acqua Viva is offering special low season rates from Sept. 1 to Dec. 15, 2014.

Article by Shannon Farley