Pacuare Beach

The Pacuare Nature Reserve is a working reserve, rich in wildlife and whose special mission is to protect the critically endangered Leatherback turtles which nest in large numbers along its 6km beach. It is located about 25 kms north of Limón, between the sea and the Tortuguero canal and it is considered one of the most important nesting sites in Central America.

A Leatherback Turtle makes its way back to the sea after laying

March to June is the nesting season for these giant turtles and from June to September Green turtles also nest here, though in lesser numbers.

The Reserve is home to about 20 species of mammal and many reptiles. Monkeys are plentiful and Howler monkeys regularly provide a dawn chorus.

With beach, forest and freshwater habitats, the reserve has a wide variety of birds and we have listed 210 species. One of the lagoons within the forest is the only known nesting site in Costa Rica of the rare and beautiful Agami heron.


The rare Agami heron © Cindy Messinger

A new feature is the establishment of an area of native fruit trees and vegetables, which will be of interest to visitors as well as a useful source of food. This has been developed from an original orchard, overgrown for many years but which now has 42 species, mostly edible, such as avocado, banana, yuca, oranges, lemons, papaya, breadfruit etc. and others such as noni and cacao trees. Not many visitors from Europe or the US will have seen a chocolate tree!


A cocoa pod hanging from a cacao tree on the reserve

There is a main trail, which runs through the forest behind the beach the whole length of the reserve and there are other shorter trails leading to areas of special interest.

Visitors to the Reserve are free to walk the trails or take a boat-ride along the Tortuguero canal where caimans, freshwater turtles and many wading birds can be seen. They are also encouraged to participate fully in the turtle programme and to patrol along the beach at night with our biologist, research assistants and beach guards. Nobody ever forgets the sight of their first giant leatherback.

Research Projects

Visiting biologists often conduct research projects at Pacuare and we welcome applications from qualified researchers who wish to take advantage of the wide variety of wildlife in the reserve. Please contact us if you wish to apply.