Wildlife on the Move: The Ultimate Guide to Costa Rica’s Migration Season
When travelers think about visiting Costa Rica from May to November, they often picture rain.
But here’s the secret—it’s actually one of the best times to visit. With fewer crowds, lower prices, and wildlife at its peak, this season offers incredible experiences for nature lovers.
From whales and sea turtles to flocks of migrating birds, Costa Rica becomes a highway for wildlife.
Here’s everything you need to know about making the most of Migration Season.
Every year, Costa Rica becomes a highway for wildlife. From May to November, the country’s rainforests, beaches, and oceans fill with migrating animals.
Humpback whales arrive to give birth, sea turtles nest by the thousands, and rare birds pass through on their long journeys.
This is the best time to visit for travelers who love nature. Migration Season means fewer tourists, better prices, and the most spectacular animal sightings of the year.
Here’s what you can expect.
Humpback Whales: The Longest Watching Season in the World
Costa Rica is one of the best places to see humpback whales, thanks to two migration cycles—one from the Northern Hemisphere (December–April) and one from the Southern Hemisphere (July–November).
Between July and November, southern humpbacks arrive from Antarctica to give birth in Costa Rica’s warm Pacific waters. These giants come close to shore, making them easy to spot.
Boat tours in Uvita, the Osa Peninsula, and the Gulf of Papagayo give travelers a front-row seat to breaching whales, tail slaps, and mothers nursing their calves.
📍 Best places to see them:
Marino Ballena National Park, Osa Peninsula, Gulf of Papagayo
📆 Best months:
July–November
Sea Turtle Nesting: Thousands on the Beach at Once
During Migration Season, Costa Rica’s beaches become nesting grounds for green, hawksbill, olive ridley, and leatherback turtles. This is one of the best places in the world to see this phenomenon.
- Tortuguero National Park (July–October): Known as the “Little Amazon,” this remote area sees thousands of green sea turtles nesting under the cover of night.
- Playa Ostional (May–November): One of the only places where you can witness an arribada, a rare event where thousands of olive ridley turtles come ashore at the same time to lay eggs.
- Las Baulas National Park (October–February): One of the last strongholds for endangered leatherback turtles, the largest sea turtles on Earth.
📍 Best places to see them:
Tortuguero, Playa Ostional, Las Baulas National Park
📆 Best months:
May–November (varies by species)
Bird Migration: A Moving Spectacle
More than 200 bird species pass through Costa Rica between August and November, making it a hotspot for birdwatchers. Rainforests, wetlands, and coastal areas fill with flocks of raptors, warblers, and shorebirds heading south for the winter.
Some of the best places to spot them include:
- Caño Negro & Tortuguero (wetlands filled with herons, spoonbills, and kingfishers)
- Monteverde & Los Quetzales National Park (cloud forests with rare migratory songbirds)
- Carara National Park & Osa Peninsula (home to scarlet macaws and many migrating species)
📍 Best places to see them:
Caño Negro, Monteverde, Carara National Park, Osa Peninsula
📆 Best months:
August–November
Why Migration Season is the Best Time to Visit
Fewer crowds – With fewer tourists, you’ll have national parks, trails, and beaches almost to yourself.
Lower prices – Hotels and tours offer discounts, so you get more value for your trip.
Wildlife is at its peak – Migration season means whales, turtles, and birds are everywhere.
It’s the best time for nature lovers to visit Costa Rica.
Plan A Migration Season Travel Experience
We have created Migration Season specials for you to offer your guests, including free nights and discounted rates.
Download your Costa Rica Migration Season Specials.
For more information, email Maria Isabel:
