Hermosa Turtle Hatchery
Witness baby turtles' first journey to the sea at this vital conservation project, a heartwarming experience supporting marine life.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best chance for a release
Hermosa Turtle Hatchery
Best Time
Best chance for a release
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Witness baby turtles' first journey to the sea at this vital conservation project, a heartwarming experience supporting marine life.
"This truly was a once in a lifetime event and I’m so grateful that we got to experience it."
📞 WhatsApp for Info
Reach out via WhatsApp for detailed instructions on how to get there and to book your visit.
💰 Bring Cash for Donations
This is a donation-based project. Suggested donations are around $10-$20 per person.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.9 · 69 reviews
Type
Tourist Attraction
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Baby Turtle Release
The beach at the hatchery
Witnessing baby turtles make their first journey to the ocean is a heartwarming, unforgettable experience.
Conservation Project Insights
The hatchery site
Learn about the vital work of Milo and his team in protecting sea turtles and their habitats.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Plan Your Turtle Encounter
Getting There & Donations
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
3 days of volunteering with sea turtles in Quepos
4 of us volunteered for part of our trip to help with the sea turtles. We got to release the babies, search for eggs at night, bury found eggs. And had access to basically an entire private beach/pinnasula.
📞 WhatsApp for Info
Reach out via WhatsApp for detailed instructions on how to get there and to book your visit.
💰 Bring Cash for Donations
This is a donation-based project. Suggested donations are around $10-$20 per person.
Best companies/tours to view Sea Turtles?
Hello! My partner and I will be in Costa Rica from mid-February to early May. We will be staying in Jaco for our stay but willing to travel. Does anyone have a suggestion on the best place/way to see Sea Turtles/Sea Turtle birth? I would rather go with a company to ensure we…
Turtles hatch late november
Hi all. I'm planning to spend 10 days in Costa Rica end of November. I'd love to witness the "release of baby turtles"/hatchling. Does anyone know a good place where I could see it at this time?
🚢 Ferry & Taxi Ride
The journey includes a ferry and a unique pickup taxi ride along the beach.
📅 Book in Advance
Turtle releases are not guaranteed daily, so booking ahead is essential.
Tips
from all over the internet
📞 WhatsApp for Info
Reach out via WhatsApp for detailed instructions on how to get there and to book your visit.
💰 Bring Cash for Donations
This is a donation-based project. Suggested donations are around $10-$20 per person.
🚢 Ferry & Taxi Ride
The journey includes a ferry and a unique pickup taxi ride along the beach.
📅 Book in Advance
Turtle releases are not guaranteed daily, so booking ahead is essential.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Hermosa Turtle Hatchery for its incredible, heartwarming experience, particularly the chance to witness baby turtle releases. The dedication of Milo and his team is frequently highlighted, making it a truly memorable and impactful visit. While the journey requires coordination, the unique adventure and the opportunity to support a vital conservation effort are highly valued.
"What an amazing experience! Milo and his team are fantastic. We were very lucky to get to witness a turtle release. I contacted Milo via WhatsApp and he explained that we needed to get a ferry at a certain time, followed by a taxi and we arrived at this amazing location and got to see the turtles released. We made a voluntary donation and were delighted to support this incredible work. This truly was a once in lifetime event and I’m so grateful that we got to experience it."
Fiona Worsnop
"This was such a cute and wholesome experience. It's a passion project that has such a positive impact! Would definitely recommend 😊 You'll have to reach out on Whatsapp to get the instructions, but it wasn't too complicated!"
Brianna
"The Isla Damas turtle conservation project is run by "Milo" Francisco Duran Parra. A bit of work getting there as you first need to get to the ferry port of Quepos, take a ferry (round trip 1 usd per person) then take a pickup car taxi The taxi (2 usd per person round trip) drives through the town and along the beach to the turtle mission. Milo gave a presentation about the turtles and the project. Then we carried the baby turtles to the beach where we released them to the ocean. From the 168 baby turtles that had hatched that same morning, approximately 2-4 will return to this same beach after 12-14 years from now. A very heartfelt experience and I can recommend it highly. The project is run on donations so prepare to bring cash with you (recommeneded 10usd per child and 20 usd per adult). Booking in advance is a must as the turtles are not released every day."
Otto Sunnari
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
To reach the hatchery, you'll first need to get to the ferry port in Quepos. From there, take a ferry (approximately $1 USD round trip per person). After the ferry, you'll take a pickup truck taxi that drives along the beach to the turtle mission. It's recommended to contact Milo via WhatsApp for the most current and precise travel instructions.
Transportation is not included. You will need to arrange your own ferry and pickup taxi. The taxi ride is typically around $2-$4 USD per person round trip.
The best way to coordinate is by contacting Milo, the project manager, via WhatsApp. He will provide you with all the necessary details regarding ferry times, taxi arrangements, and the best times for potential turtle releases.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The Hermosa Turtle Hatchery operates on donations. There isn't a fixed ticket price, but visitors are encouraged to make a voluntary donation to support the conservation efforts. Suggested donations are typically around $10-$20 per adult and $10 per child.
Yes, advance booking is a must. Turtle releases are not a daily occurrence, and you need to coordinate with Milo to ensure you visit on a day when a release is planned.
Operating hours are not fixed and depend on the turtle hatching and release schedules. It's essential to contact Milo via WhatsApp to arrange your visit and confirm the timing.
It is highly recommended not to just show up without booking. Coordinating with Milo in advance ensures you don't miss out on a potential turtle release and helps the project manage visitor numbers.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can expect to learn about sea turtle conservation from Milo and his team. The highlight is often witnessing the release of baby turtles into the ocean, a truly moving experience. You might also learn about egg searching and nesting.
Some visitors have mentioned volunteering for a few days, which can involve releasing babies, searching for eggs at night, and burying found eggs. Inquire with Milo about any volunteer opportunities.
The duration of the visit can vary depending on the release schedule and how long you wish to spend learning about the project. However, the core experience of a release and presentation might take a couple of hours.
Wear comfortable, casual clothing suitable for a beach environment. Light, breathable fabrics are recommended. Consider bringing a hat and sunscreen as you'll be outdoors.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, you are generally allowed to take photos and videos. Capturing the moment of the baby turtles heading to the sea is a popular choice. Be mindful of the turtles and the conservation efforts.
While not explicitly stated, it's always good practice to be respectful and avoid intrusive photography, especially during sensitive moments like the release. Ask Milo if you have any specific concerns.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit