Can I see sea turtles in El Paredón during the dry season (Feb–June)?

Yes! While baby hatchling releases on the beach run July–January, the boat trip to Poza del Nance in the mangrove lagoon spots wild adult and juvenile sea turtles every single day of the year.

What is the best time of day for the mangrove & turtle tour?

Early morning (6:00 AM – 8:30 AM) offers cooler temperatures, glassy water, and peak bird activity, while the late afternoon tour (3:30 PM – 5:30 PM) ends with gorgeous golden sunset colors over the water.

What should I pack for the mangrove tour?

Bring a hat, polarized sunglasses (great for spotting turtles underwater!), reef-safe sunscreen, drinking water, and insect repellent for dawn or dusk.

How do I book with a real local boat captain in El Paredón?

Tap the WhatsApp button on this page to message our local El Paredón team — we connect you directly with village boat captains and kayaking guides while you book your stay and shuttle online.

🐢 SIPACATE-NARANJO NATIONAL PARK · WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION

Mangrove Boat Tour & Wild Sea Turtle Sighting in El Paredón

Just across the sandbar from El Paredón's surf waves lies Sipacate-Naranjo National Park — a serene labyrinth of towering red mangroves, mirror-flat waterways, tropical birdlife, and Poza del Nance, where wild sea turtles surface right beside your boat all year long.

Wild adult sea turtles

100% year-round in the estuary

Baby hatchling release

July through January (~5:45 AM)

Tour duration

2 to 3 hours (boat or kayak)

🐢 Poza del Nance: See wild sea turtles 12 months a year

Travelers are often amazed to learn that El Paredón offers two completely different sea turtle experiences. Deep inside the calm estuary sits Poza del Nance — a sheltered feeding ground where dozens of wild Pacific green turtles live year-round.

Your local village captain cuts the engine and drifts quietly while turtles pop their heads up for air every few seconds all around the boat — calm, flat water with zero seasickness, making it unforgettable for couples, solo travelers, and kids alike.

🛶 Sunrise kayaking & birdwatching through mangrove tunnels

Launching around 6:00 AM along Río Acome lets you glide across glassy water beneath arching mangrove roots while ospreys, kingfishers, roseate spoonbills, herons, and iguanas wake up in the golden morning light.

🐣 Seasonal baby turtle releases on the beach (July – January)

From July through January (peaking September–December), local conservationists protect olive ridley nests from poachers and release newborn hatchlings into the Pacific at dawn (~5:45 AM). Small visitor donations go straight to funding village nest patrols.