Green sea turtles in Tortuguero.

When they come.

Green sea turtles arrive to lay their eggs from July to October. During this window the beach is under intense surveillance and strict regulations apply. Other turtle species nest here too (leatherback, loggerhead, hawksbill) but in much smaller numbers, so there are no organized tours for them.

How the tour actually works.

The Tortuguero National Park sets the rules — not the lodges, not the guides. The point is one thing: protect the turtles.

1. 1. Certified guide only. All visitors must register and be led by a park-certified local guide. The lodge arranges this for guests.
2. 2. Two raffled time slots. 8 – 10 p.m. or 10 p.m. – midnight. You don't choose — you're assigned at random.
3. 3. Capacity capped at 200. The park sets a hard cap of 200 visitors per departure.
4. 4. Five base points. The park splits the beach into five base points; your guide is assigned one. You stay there until a certified tracker confirms a turtle is laying — only then are you led to the nest. One of the five base points is right in front of Mawamba's beach.

What you'll need to do.

• Wear black or dark clothing. Reflective colors disturb the turtle.
• No flashlights, cameras, or video. Guides and trackers carry red-light flashlights — turtles aren't sensitive to that wavelength.
• No smoking.
• No perfume or scented repellent. Turtles have a developed sense of smell. If you need repellent, use an unscented cream.

Most of what you pay for the tour goes directly to local guides and trackers, beach surveillance, and conservation — not to commercial intermediaries.

The hatchlings — a quieter window.

Hatchlings emerge two months after their mothers laid the eggs — meaning September to November you can see them at the beach in front of Mawamba Lodge.

If you're a guest in that window, walk the beach early morning (5:00 – 6:00 a.m.) or late afternoon (4:30 – 5:30 p.m.) for a chance to witness the run from sand to ocean. It's unforgettable.

Booking policy.

Reservations for the turtle nesting tour must be made by 2:00 p.m. on the day of the tour — after that we can't secure your spot. If you're staying only one night, or want to book for your arrival night, pre-book via WhatsApp and plan to be in Tortuguero by 5:00 p.m. that day.

The turtle nesting tour is non-refundable.

Arranging a turtle tour might look like a hassle from the outside — in practice, Mawamba handles every piece of it for you. Just say yes; we take it from there.