Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas/The Leatherback Marine National Park

Playa Grande is home to one of the most remarkable natural phenomena on earth. The Leatherback Turtle (La Baula), an endangered species, makes its way to Playa Grande each year to bury its eggs in the white sand. Its scientific name is Dermochelys coriacea. For this reason the park was founded in 1995 to protect this magnificent creature. In addition to the Maritime Zone (50 meters inland from the mid-tide line), which belongs to the state and cannot be built upon, the park extends an additional 75 meters. It also encompasses the mangroves of the estuaries found behind Playa Grande and Playa Ventana. In the past years, there has been much debate about where exactly the park ends due to an ambiguous term in the original law, but the MINAE (environmental ministry) is seaking to pass a law which will define the park once and for all. Hopefully that will put a stop to the hassles which property owners whose properties have no effect on the turtle have experienced while keeping the turtle protected. You can see more about his info on the blog post of March 11th.

The Leatherback is the largest of all turtles with shell lengths reaching 1.7 meters and weighing up to 700 kilograms. Their name comes from the unique composition of their shell, which is softer than other turtles and does not have the normal plates. They are also some of the longest surviving species on earth, having been around for 65 million years. In recent times they have gained famed through The Great Turtle Race, a highly publicized “race” of different Leatherbacks with GPS tags as they made their way to Playa Grande. Past sponsors have included Steven Colbert, of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central. For more information on the Leatherback, stop by the turtle museum in the heart of Playa Grande.

You can also follow the second Great Turtle Race. Check it out here: greatturtlerace.com

The wonderful thing about the national park, apart from the incredible creatures that arrive each year, is that the beach front foliage is maintained along almost all of Playa Grande. The foliage acts as a natural shield that blocks out ambient light, which scientists believe plays a factor in turtle navigation. The darker the beach, the better chance the turtles have of landing. This is wonderful for area residents and visitors as the beach remains less crowded and you don’t see ugly construction along the beach that you find at other beaches.

Visitors to Playa Grande can take a turtle tour during the Leatherback nesting season, from October through March. Please be careful not to crowd the turtles or use any sort of white light. You should only go on the beach with a recognized guide.