Turtles           

Just north of Tamarindo, there is Playa Grande. The name, Playa Grande, comes from the wide beach that frames the beautiful water. The main attraction at this beach is Las Baulas Marine Park, where the protected leatherback turtle (tortuga baula), the largest reptile in the world, makes its ways onto the beach between October and March to nest. Though the nesting of this massive reptile is reason enough to protect the area, there is also an extensive mangrove swamp inhabited by a wide range of birds, and some nearby tropical dry forest which also contains plenty of wildlife.