Featuring open-ocean sighting tours, an immersive museum, beach cleanups, and a wide range of educational workshops, the first Guanacaste Whale and Dolphin Festival will take place August 28–30 at Playa Flamingo in Santa Cruz.
Organized by Orcas Costa Rica, Jungle Films, and Marina Flamingo, the event aims to educate visitors about these mammals through a program that combines science, tourism, and local culture.
During the event weekend, the public can embark on guided whale-watching tours, with departures scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, at the Marina Flamingo facilities, visitors can explore the temporary museum dedicated to Costa Rica’s marine species, which will feature life-size replicas of orca fins.
There will also be a craft market, exhibits on the various conservation projects operating in the province, a workshop on identifying marine species, citizen science activities, and an outdoor movie screening.
A cleanup of Playa Flamingo is also being organized for Sunday, the 30th, at 9:00 a.m., and the festival is scheduled to close at 3:00 p.m. with a Guanacaste folk performance.
The organizers chose a date traditionally considered the off-season for tourism in the area, but which coincides with the peak of the humpback whale season.
Between July and October, the whales migrate thousands of kilometers from cold waters to use these bays as safe areas for breeding and raising their calves. In addition to this migration, pods of dolphins are a constant presence in the area.
Through this initiative, they aim not only to promote conservation but also to attract visitors and benefit local businesses in the lodging, food service, and transportation sectors.
The calendar of events is available on the Marina Flamingo website.
Those interested in the training sessions can get more information by calling 8450-6810 or via WhatsApp by contacting César Castro. The complete schedule can be viewed HERE.
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