Las Baulas Marine National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🐢 Leatherback Turtle Nesting
🌍 #190 Global · 3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #32 in Central America #88 in Tropical Forest
Guanacaste, Costa Rica 723 spp. recorded

Marino Las Baulas protects one of the most important leatherback turtle nesting sites on the Pacific coast of the Americas. From October to March, these ancient giants — weighing up to 500 kg — haul themselves onto Playa Grande under cover of darkness to lay their eggs.

10.318° N   86.019° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Leatherback Sea Turtle ★
VU

Leatherback Sea Turtle

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Dermochelys coriacea

Insufficient data
Mantled Howler Monkey ★
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

70–80% · Very likely
American Crocodile ★
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

40–50% · Likely
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana ★
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

80–90% · Very likely
Great-tailed Grackle
LC Endemic

Great-tailed Grackle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Quiscalus mexicanus

80–90% · Very likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

70–80% · Very likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

70–80% · Very likely
Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

60–70% · Likely
White-winged Dove
LC

White-winged Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zenaida asiatica

60–70% · Likely
Rufous-backed Wren
LC

Rufous-backed Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Campylorhynchus capistratus

50–60% · Likely
Hoffmann's Woodpecker
LC

Hoffmann's Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes hoffmannii

50–60% · Likely
Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

50–60% · Likely
Streak-backed Oriole
LC Endemic

Streak-backed Oriole

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Icterus pustulatus

40–50% · Likely
Orange-fronted Parakeet

Orange-fronted Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aratinga canicularis

40–50% · Likely
Yellow Warbler
LC Endemic

Yellow Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga petechia

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Mantled Howler Monkey ★
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

60–70% · Likely
Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

30–40% · Possible
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

20–30% · Possible
Proboscis Bat
LC

Proboscis Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rhynchonycteris naso

10–20% · With luck
Hooded Skunk
LC

Hooded Skunk

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Mephitis macroura

Insufficient data
Northern Tamandua
LC Endemic

Northern Tamandua

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamandua mexicana

Insufficient data
Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Sphiggurus mexicanus

Insufficient data
Common Opossum
LC

Common Opossum

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Didelphis marsupialis

Insufficient data
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
LC

Pantropical Spotted Dolphin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Stenella attenuata

Insufficient data
Bottlenose Dolphin
LC

Bottlenose Dolphin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tursiops truncatus

Insufficient data
Greater Sac-winged Bat
LC

Greater Sac-winged Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Saccopteryx bilineata

Insufficient data
Humpback Whale
LC

Humpback Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Megaptera novaeangliae

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

80–90% · Very likely
Great-tailed Grackle
LC Endemic

Great-tailed Grackle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Quiscalus mexicanus

80–90% · Very likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

70–80% · Very likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

70–80% · Very likely
White-winged Dove
LC

White-winged Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zenaida asiatica

60–70% · Likely
Rufous-backed Wren
LC

Rufous-backed Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Campylorhynchus capistratus

50–60% · Likely
Hoffmann's Woodpecker
LC

Hoffmann's Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes hoffmannii

50–60% · Likely
Streak-backed Oriole
LC Endemic

Streak-backed Oriole

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Icterus pustulatus

40–50% · Likely
Orange-fronted Parakeet

Orange-fronted Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aratinga canicularis

40–50% · Likely
Yellow Warbler
LC Endemic

Yellow Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga petechia

40–50% · Likely
Brown Pelican
LC

Brown Pelican

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pelecanus occidentalis

40–50% · Likely
Common Black-Hawk
LC

Common Black-Hawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Buteogallus anthracinus

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Leatherback Sea Turtle ★
VU

Leatherback Sea Turtle

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Dermochelys coriacea

Insufficient data
American Crocodile ★
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

40–50% · Likely
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana ★
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

50–60% · Likely
Rose-bellied Lizard
LC

Rose-bellied Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus variabilis

30–40% · Possible
Common House Gecko
LC Endemic

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

20–30% · Possible
Blackbelly Racerunner
LC

Blackbelly Racerunner

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Aspidoscelis deppii

20–30% · Possible
Yellow-bellied Sea Snake
LC

Yellow-bellied Sea Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Hydrophis platurus

10–20% · With luck
Pacific Ridley
VU

Pacific Ridley

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lepidochelys olivacea

10–20% · With luck
Black-banded Cat-eyed Snake
LC

Black-banded Cat-eyed Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Leptodeira nigrofasciata

10–20% · With luck
Green Turtle
LC

Green Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chelonia mydas

Insufficient data
Central American Lyresnake
LC

Central American Lyresnake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Trimorphodon quadruplex

10–20% · With luck
Central American Boa
LC

Central American Boa

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Boa imperator

Insufficient data
Taylor's Blind Snake
LC

Taylor's Blind Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Epictia ater

10–20% · With luck
Rhombic Cat-eyed Snake
LC

Rhombic Cat-eyed Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Leptodeira rhombifera

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Milk Frog

Milk Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Trachycephalus macrotis

20–30% · Possible
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

20–30% · Possible
Mexican Smilisca
LC

Mexican Smilisca

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Smilisca baudinii

10–20% · With luck
Stauffer's Tree Frog
LC

Stauffer's Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Scinax staufferi

Insufficient data
Yellow Toad
LC

Yellow Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Incilius luetkenii

Insufficient data
Yellow Treefrog
LC

Yellow Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Dendropsophus microcephalus

Insufficient data
Turbo White-lipped Frog
LC

Turbo White-lipped Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Leptodactylus poecilochilus

Insufficient data
Sheep Frog
LC

Sheep Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Hypopachus variolosus

Insufficient data
Forrer's Grass Frog
LC Endemic

Forrer's Grass Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Lithobates forreri

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐢

Leatherback Turtle Nesting

OctNovDecJanFebMar

The leatherback is the largest sea turtle on Earth, and females haul their massive leathery-backed bodies ashore at night to dig deep nests and lay clutches of eggs. Watching one of these ancient giants emerge from the surf under moonlight is a rare and unforgettable spectacle.

Leatherback Sea Turtle
VU

Leatherback Sea Turtle

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Dermochelys coriacea

Insufficient data
🐊

American Crocodile Breeding

MarAprNovDec

During the breeding season American crocodiles gather in the park's estuaries and mangrove channels, where males bellow and defend territory before females build mounded nests along the banks. It's the best time to spot these formidable reptiles basking and courting in the brackish waters.

American Crocodile
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

40–50% · Likely
🦩

Migratory Shorebird & Waterbird Season

JanFebMarNovDec

Long-billed Whimbrels probing the mudflats join Brown Pelicans plunge-diving offshore and Tricolored Herons stalking the shallows, part of a wave of migrants and resident waterbirds feeding along the estuary. The tidal flats and mangroves come alive with wings and constant activity.

Brown Pelican
LC

Brown Pelican

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pelecanus occidentalis

40–50% · Likely
Tricolored Heron
LC

Tricolored Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Egretta tricolor

30–40% · Possible
Whimbrel
LC

Whimbrel

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numenius phaeopus

20–30% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
Leatherback Sea Turtle
<5
<5
10–20
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
Mantled Howler Monkey
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
70–80
American Crocodile
10–20
30–40
40–50
50–60
20–30
50–60
20–30
40–50
60–70
30–40
40–50
40–50
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
60–70
80–90
70–80
80–90
Great Kiskadee
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
60–70
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
Great-tailed Grackle
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Black Vulture
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
80–90
60–70
Tropical Kingbird
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
Variegated Squirrel
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
White-winged Dove
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
Rufous-backed Wren
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
Hoffmann's Woodpecker
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
Green Iguana
50–60
30–40
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
40–50
40–50
60–70
10–20
40–50
60–70
Streak-backed Oriole
40–50
40–50
60–70
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
Orange-fronted Parakeet
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
20–30
10–20
20–30
20–30
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
Yellow Warbler
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
20–30
10–20
20–30
20–30
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
Animal Events
🐢 Leatherback Turtle Nesting
🐊 American Crocodile Breeding
🦩 Migratory Shorebird & Waterbird Season

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐢 Leatherback Turtle Nesting

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
457
🐒 Mammals
165
🦎 Reptiles
81
🐸 Amphibians
20
723 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
26 Threatened 60 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
68%
📊
Coverage (147 species at ≥5% of 723 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
20%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 2 reptile, 2 mammal)
46% Global avg
67%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
101
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
9
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
20

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Las Baulas Marine National Park?

The most likely sightings are Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Great Kiskadee (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Great-tailed Grackle (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Mantled Howler Monkey (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Black Vulture (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 723 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Las Baulas Marine National Park for wildlife?

May has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Leatherback Sea Turtle in Las Baulas Marine National Park?

It's possible but not guaranteed: about 4% of wildlife watchers report a Leatherback Sea Turtle sighting in Las Baulas Marine National Park, based on 1 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.

Can you see Mantled Howler Monkey in Las Baulas Marine National Park?

Yes — about 74% of wildlife watchers report a Mantled Howler Monkey sighting in Las Baulas Marine National Park, based on 159 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see American Crocodile in Las Baulas Marine National Park?

Yes — about 41% of wildlife watchers report a American Crocodile sighting in Las Baulas Marine National Park, based on 41 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Black Spiny-tailed Iguana in Las Baulas Marine National Park?

Yes — about 83% of wildlife watchers report a Black Spiny-tailed Iguana sighting in Las Baulas Marine National Park, based on 244 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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