If you want a relaxing trip that lets you catch a couple of waves with your board and watch the splendors of nature unfurl before you, you should take a stroll down the beaches of the Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Ostional. The two main activities in the refuge are surfing and turtle watching, though some people go just for a quiet stroll down the beach or to sunbathe. Huge waves usually make it difficult to surf, but in low tide, surfers can enjoy a great ride. You won’t be swimming here though, so if you’re not a surfer, stick to the beach and leave your swimming trunks behind. There’s no sense in tempting big waves and strong currents.

History and Culture
Don't shudder at the local custom of drinking raw turtle eggs – it's supposed to enhance your sexual performance! Under a smart conservation plan, locals can harvest eggs from the first laying, which maintains the local economy, then they in turn act as park rangers to prevent other poaches infringing on their territory!

Dangers and Annoyances
There is some good surfing, but be careful as the beach is renowned for its strong currents and wild, crashing surf, so it is not suitable for swimming.
If you're taking a 4x4 you will need to cross some rivers but be very, very careful doing this, particularly after rain. During the rainy season don't attempt to cross any rivers without first asking the locals. Preferably, only attempt to cross when other people are around as they can be deceptively deep.

Take particular care when crossing the Rio Nosara as it gets quite deep in the rainy season.

Around and closeby
Away from the beach, vegetation is sparse but you will find .animals such as iguanas, crabs, howler monkeys, coatis and many birds. At the other end of the reserve, on the southeastern edge, there is a small mangrove swamp where there is good bird watching.

Sightseeing
For a spectacular sight, visit the village of Ostional during the turtle nesting season when visitors flock to the area to watch these amazing animals arrive en masse during the rainy season. Every three to four weeks they arrive and nest for about a week. In the dry season you'll also see a smaller number of leatherback and green turtles. You will find some fascinating marine life in the tidal pools at Punta India, on the northwestern end of the park. Here you will sea anemones, urchins and starfish lazily swimming in the pools. Take a walk along the beach and keep an eye out for the thousands of bright red Sally Lightfoot and clear, ghost crabs, scurrying along the sand.

Getting there
You can start from Ostional, Nosara or Santa Cruz and get here easily by hitching a ride, taking a bus or driving a 4WD car. If you’re in Costa Rica during the wet season, don’t plan on going here since the roads will be impassable.

Getting around
Following Ostional the dirt road leads into Marbella then onto Paraiso northeast of Junquilla, but ask the locals for advice before even attempting this road and you will need a 4x4.