Where Olive Ridleys Return: Week 2 in Ostional, Costa Rica
Our second week in Costa Rica brought us to Ostional, where we began learning about Olive Ridley sea turtles and their remarkable mass nesting behavior called "arribadas". This week was full of new experiences: instead of staying in a hotel, we moved in with local host families, which gave us the chance to experience everyday life in one of Costa Rica’s coastal communities while participating in hands-on sea turtle conservation.
Life with our host family was simple and authentic. Every day, our host mom prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner for us. Most meals included rice and beans, one of the most common dishes in Costa Rica. Though our house didn’t have hot water or air conditioning, which took a little getting used to, we were lucky to have two adorable dachshunds, Philippine and Philippa, as well as two playful kittens in our home. After long nights in the field, it was always comforting to come home and be greeted by them.
The most physically demanding part of the week was definitely night patrol. Depending on the schedule, our shifts were either 8:00 p.m. to midnight or midnight to 4:00 a.m. During each patrol, we usually walked at least eight kilometers along the beach. Whenever we found a nesting turtle, we stopped to observe her entire nesting process from digging the nest to laying eggs, and finally covering and disguising the nest before returning to the ocean. On my very first patrol, I was responsible for counting the eggs as they were laid. I was completely LOCKED IN because the mama released eggs surprisingly quickly, sometimes two or three at a time. That day I was super nervous because I didn't want to ruin the data, but later on, in future patrols, I became more and more confident in any hands-on duties.
Learning about the Olive Ridley’s life cycle made the experience even more meaningful. I learned that only about one in every 1,000 hatchlings survives to reach reproductive age, making every successful nest incredibly important. Knowing this made me see these turtles in a completely different way. The fact that they spend years traveling across the vast ocean and somehow return to the very beach where they were born to lay their own eggs feels nothing short of a miracle. Watching one complete this extraordinary journey right in front of me filled me with admiration and reminded me why conservation work matters.
The rewarding part of night patrol wasn’t just seeing the turtles but also the night sky. Far away from city lights, the stars were brighter than I had ever seen before. For the first time in my life, I could see thousands of stars with my naked eye and even make out the faint band of the Milky Way stretching across the sky. The cool ocean breeze and the peaceful sound of the waves made those long walks feel almost magical. Standing on the beach under the stars while watching an Olive Ridley lay her eggs is a memory I know I’ll carry with me for a very long time.
In addition to our fieldwork, we also participated in several activities with the local community. One afternoon, local residents taught us how to make traditional tortillas, and I made mine in the shape of a sea turtle. We also helped move large rocks along the beach to create more suitable nesting habitat, making it easier for turtles to dig their nests.
This week was undoubtedly the most physically demanding week of the program so far. Between the late-night patrols, long walks on the beach, and deprived sleep, I was exhausted almost every day. Yet it was also one of the most unforgettable weeks of my life. Living with a local family, experiencing Costa Rican culture firsthand, contributing to sea turtle conservation, and witnessing the incredible journey of the Olive Ridleys under a sky full of stars reminded me why I chose to study biology. Every step along the beach was worth it, and I can’t wait to see what the next week of this adventure will bring.
Everly Feng | Jul 17 2026
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