For all species of sea turtles it takes a long time to reach maturity but at the age needed for reproduction they come up to lay their eggs various times during the season, continuing with an interval of a couple of years. The female comes up during the night, lays and buries her eggs, a process of about 20 minutes to an hour and when going back to the sea she will not return to the nest again. About 60 days later (depending on the specie) the baby turtles hatch and will then have to find their way to the ocean. The journey is riskful and many of the turtles are being killed and eaten by birds, crabs and fishes. Of 1000 eggs, only one turtle is likely to reach adulthood.

The nesting season for turtles in Tortuguero is between June and October.

Today, many of the sea turtles are in great danger of extinction. It is believed, that the eggs stimulate the libido and a drink of turtle eggs and tomato juice is, unfortunately, considered an aphrodisiac. The turtle meat is prepared in many different ways and consumed by a lot of people. Although it is prohibited to collect eggs and the turtle is a protected specie the people doesn't give up their old traditions easily and park rangers have difficulties to control every part of the coast. A great amount of eggs and the turtles themselves are still illegally harvested on the beaches of Costa Rica.

Another threat for the turtles are the commercial fisheries and their huge nets where not only the fishes but also the turtles get caught.

Also the deforestation is considered to provoke the decrease of the number of sea turtles. Logs and driftwood is washed up by the sea, which makes it more difficult for the turtles to come up and lay their eggs. Because of the obstacles on the beach the turtles lay their eggs closer to the sea and many eggs are washed away when the high tide is coming in.