Playa Caletas
Playa Caletas is an isolated beach located on the north-central Pacific coast of Costa Rica on the country’s Nicoya Peninsula. PRETOMA researchers have monitored sea turtle activity at this site since 2001. Playa Caletas is primarily an olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle nesting beach, but also hosts one of the world’s most endangered species of sea turtle, the Eastern Pacific Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea). Olive ridley nesting peaks in September and October, while leatherback nesting peaks in December and January. The beach also receives occasional visits from nesting Pacific green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles. Playa Caletas is a wildlife refuge and the living conditions there are more rustic than at any other nesting beach. You can participate as an assistant or coordinator from July to February, or help take care of the camp during the off season (March-June), however during this time there are no turtles.
History
Given the importance of Playa Caletas as a sea turtle nesting habitat and the unique mangrove and wetland habitat in the vicinity, PRETOMA began spearheading efforts in 2003 to provide permanent protection for the region through the creation of a national wildlife refuge. After more than three years of hard work, in August of 2006 the Costa Rican government officially established the Playa Caletas-Ario National Wildlife Refuge (CANWR). CANWR includes a total of 313.3 terrestrial hectares and a 19,846 hectare Marine Protected Area (MPA) that extends 12 miles off shore, where destructive fisheries such as shrimp trawling and compressor diving are prohibited.
Since the project was initiated in 2001, 5,912 nests have been protected and 235,397 hatchlings have been protected and released to the sea.
Project Site
Playa Caletas is an uninhabited beach, and project’s personnel usually find themselves working alone here. The closest town is San Francisco de Coyote, approximately 9 km to the northeast here you will find small supermarkets, internet and pubic phones. Playa Caletas is actually made up of both Playa Caletas and Playa Pencal, which together form a five kilometer stretch of dark sand beach that lies between Punta Coyote, a natural outcropping of rocks to the north, and the River Bongo to the south.
A large mangrove swamp stretches around the mouth of the River Bongo and extensive wetlands during the rainy season dominate the northern sector behind PRETOMA’s camp. Portions of the mangrove swamp and wetlands have been illegally drained over the years but continue to host an abundance of wildlife.
Many species of birds, reptiles, and small mammals inhabit these areas. Coyotes, skunks and raccoons are a few of the animals that have been reported to frequent the beach in search of turtle eggs and other food. Crocodiles inhabit the wetlands and estuary zones and have also been seen feeding in the mouth of the River Bongo and basking on the beach during the dry season.
Project activities are run out of a base camp constructed of logs and tarps, and living conditions are extremely rustic. Our NEW CAMP for the 2011 season consists of a large rancho structure with kitchen and living area on sand floors, two communal A-frame shelters with beds, and one large woo
den bungalow with space for 6 people to sleep, as well as a solar panel, outhouse, well, and a large project hatchery. There is no running water at this site portable water is brought into the camp weekly and used for drinking and cooking. The well provides sufficient water for showering washing dishes and clothes. Food is brought into the camp every month and fresh vegetables and fruit every week.
A 40 minute walk from the camp you will find playa coyote a small touristic beach ideal for swimming. There is also a local restaurant located 100m from the beach.
