A Letter from The Refuge Administrator

Date


The protection of our beloved Wildlife Refuge is essential to maintaining a community as special as Nosara. Here, we share the details of the statement recently published by the Ostional Refuge Administration, reminding us all of the rules on our beaches.


Translated version:

SUBJECT: Dear Neighbors and Visitors to the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge (RNVSO),
Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT)

From the new Administration of the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, we would like to remind you that this important refuge encompasses not only the Ostional area but also Playa Nosara, Pelada, and Guiones. This protected territory is an invaluable space for biodiversity and requires everyone’s commitment to its conservation.

Across all beaches within the refuge, the official regulations are clearly indicated, which prohibit activities such as:

  • Entry of unauthorized motorized vehicles (including motorcycles and ATVs), as they damage the sand and severely impact ecosystems and protected species.
  • Horse tours on the sand, as they threaten turtle nests and disrupt their habitat.
  • Littering, which pollutes the beaches and endangers wildlife.
  • Activities such as bonfires, the use of flash for nighttime photography, and the presence of domestic animals in protected areas.

Although these rules have been duly signposted by SINAC for several years, some visitors have not adhered to them, endangering the biodiversity and integrity of the refuge. For this reason, we have reinforced monitoring strategies to ensure compliance with these regulations.

In the Guiones and Pelada sectors, this effort has been strengthened with the activation of COVIRENA (Natural Resources Surveillance Committee), in coordination with the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). Additionally, we are closing unauthorized beach access points to prevent the entry of motorized vehicles that disrupt the ecosystem.

Surfing remains permitted in the Guiones and Pelada sectors as long as it follows the refuge’s regulations.

As we approach the high season, we will continue implementing monitoring operations to reinforce these measures. We urge the community and visitors to respect the rules and collaborate in preserving this valuable natural heritage.

With this new administration, we reaffirm our commitment to the protection of the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. This is a collective effort, and only by working together can we ensure that this place remains a refuge for biodiversity and a space for responsible enjoyment for future generations.

Sincerely,

Eliécer Núñez Durán

Ostional Refuge Administrator


Ostional, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, next to the Douglas Robinson Biological Station, UCR
Phone numbers: +506 2682-0400 / 2682-0937
www.sinac.go.cr

NATIONAL SYSTEM OF CONSERVATION AREAS
TEMPISQUE CONSERVATION AREA
OSTIONAL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

 


 

 

 

 

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