The beach, the sand, the sun—they’re all part of your Baja California Sur getaway plan. But have you ever thought about adding turtles to your leisure time fun?
The beautiful town of Todos Santos gives you a unique opportunity to do just that. In Todos Santos Beach, you can make preservation part of your vacation by helping protect endangered turtles while you enjoy the tropical delights of this enchanted resort community.
And it all takes place less than a mile from the best hotel in Todos Santos: Guaycura Hotel, at the nearby Tortugueros Las Playitas, the famed conservancy, which is all about saving endangered turtle species such as the Olive Ridleys, Black Turtles, and the extremely-threatened Pacific Leatherback Turtle.
Participate in Eco-Tourism!
Tortugueros Las Playitas is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to saving turtles (tortugas in Spanish, hence the name Tortugueros), by gathering fresh-laid turtle eggs from the nearby Las Tunas Beach, incubating them safely for 45 days, then carrying the hatchlings, with the aid of volunteers, to be released into the ocean.
Doing so gives the turtles a better chance of survival by guarding them from land predators—the turtles and the eggs are considered tasty by a number of species, including humans—to thrive in the sea, mate, and keep the cycle of life going. Hatchings take place several times a year, usually between November and April.
You Are Part of Their Salvation!
Volunteers, including tourists and students, can bask in the exquisite climate of Todos Santos while feeling the satisfaction that comes from helping nature along its way. Depending on your timing, Tortugueros can use your help with things you’d never do in your normal day at home. You can follow the tracks of mother turtles in search of their beach nests at night.
You can collect turtle eggs, transport them back to the incubatory, or mark them as they settle into their 45-day stay in a safe, sandy greenhouse environment. Or you can enjoy the real thrill of taking the new hatchlings (in Styrofoam coolers) to the beach for release into the ocean when they’re ready.
Rather not carry turtles? You can still be a part of the fun: The releases are open to the public. Come and watch these beautiful creatures as they are turned into freedom! Afterwards, you can retreat to the comfort of Guaycura hotel Todos Santos, or jump in the ocean for a swim…the turtles will let you share their ocean.
And if you’re feeling hungry, you can visit one of the most recommended Todos Santos restaurants: El Mirador.
