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When I heard that you could release baby turtles into the ocean in Puerto Escondido, I was ready to sign up immediately!
I mean, can you imagine anything cuter than watching a baby sea turtle make its first wriggle down the beach to the sea? What about if I told you that the turtle release happens on one of Puerto Escondido’s most beautiful beaches? And what if I told you you get to release the turtles as the sun is setting over the ocean?
Yup, chances are you’re already on board and excited to go and release a turtle!
I didn’t find much information online about the Puerto Escondido turtle release when I was doing my trip research. As someone who likes to know all of the fine details before she does pretty much anything, this wasn’t ideal.
Luckily, I’ve now been to the turtle release in Puerto Escondido and have all of the information you need to know before you go.
But first, I need to answer a pressing question…
Do You Need a Tour to Release Turtles in Puerto Escondido?
The short answer is NO! The longer answer is absolutely not!
Let me explain.
You’ll have no doubt seen tour vendors trying to sell turtle release tours, especially in La Punta and Zicatela. These cost around 600 pesos and include transport to and from a release point to your accommodation, and the opportunity to release a turtle.
However, you can do it for far, far cheaper than this if you don’t join a tour, and it’s not even a hassle. Here’s everything you need to know.
Where Does the Turtle Release in Puerto Escondido Happen?
The turtle release happens at Playa Bacocho, one of the northern beaches of Puerto Escondido.
Specifically, there’s a large wooden hut on Playa Bacocho near the main entrance to the beach that belongs to Vive Mar, the turtle organisation. This is where you’ll need to wait for the turtle release to start. You won’t miss it because there will be crowds of others also standing around waiting.
The easiest way to get here if you don’t have your own transportation is by taxi. I paid 200 pesos from La Punta to Playa Bacocho, but from Zicatela it should be around 120 pesos or so. Be sure to haggle the price before you get in the taxi!
What Time Does the Turtle Release Start?
The turtle release happens on Playa Bacocho every single day at 5pm. I recommend getting there around 15 minutes early and standing as close to the hut as possible. On occasion there are too many people, so not everybody will get to release a turtle.
This isn’t super common, as they do have a LOT of turtles to release, but it does happen. Don’t miss out!
At 5pm (ish) the organisers will tell you to form two queues and you’ll stand in line to pay and get your coconut shell which you’ll carry the turtle in. You pay, register, stand around waiting for everybody else to pay and register. You’ll then get a short talk by the guide about the turtles, and then you get to release them.
I don’t think we actually released the turtles until 5:45 pm, so there’s quite a bit of waiting around.
How Much Does the Puerto Escondido Turtle Release Cost?
The turtle release currently costs 150 pesos per person per turtle, although you’re able to share a turtle between you if you’re travelling with others and want to save some money. You can’t book in advance – just show up.
Once you get to the front of the queue you need to write down your name, email and country of origin, and you’ll then get half a coconut shell which you’ll use to carry the turtle to the ocean. Now, it’s a matter of waiting for everybody else to finish their registration.
Information About the Puerto Escondido Sea Turtles
Once everybody is registered you’ll split into two groups for the 10-minute informational talk about the turtles and the important preservation work going on in Puerto Escondido. The Spanish speakers will go with a Spanish-speaking guide and the English speakers with an English-speaking guide.
The presentation is pretty short but explains why they are going to such lengths to protect the turtles, and how to safely release them. You’ll also learn how, exactly, the turtles are being protected.
Inside the Vive Mar wooden hut you may have noticed some small sand mounds protected by chicken wire. These are the turtle eggs that are being protected from climate change (on some days the sun can get so hot that it would cook the eggs if they were left on the beach), and poachers.
It turns out that turtle eggs are a Oaxacan delicacy, and poachers are keen to get their hands on any turtle eggs they can find!
For this reason, the volunteers at Vive Mar comb Puerto Escondido’s beaches every night to collect as many turtle eggs as they can find and bring them to safety at their hatchery.
Releasing The Sea Turtles Safely
Once you’ve learnt about the turtles, it’s time to meet your little pal and release them! You’ll queue up, coconut in hand, where the volunteers will scoop up a turtle for you. You can then proceed to the release point.
You’re allowed to take photos and selfies (without flash) before releasing your turtle, but obviously don’t risk dropping the turtle! You also don’t want to cause distress by having a full-on photoshoot with it!
Some of the turtles could barely sit still and were downright jumping out of the coconut shells, eager to get into the ocean as soon as possible. Others, on the other hand (including mine), are somewhat… sleepier.
I was actually worried that my turtle was dead, but apparently some of them just take their sweet time before heading into the ocean.
It’s nothing short of miraculous to see the tiny turtles shuffling towards the ocean almost instinctively. It’s also mind-blowing that they know exactly where to go, and somewhat terrifying when you see your tiny little turtle scurrying towards the violent waves of Playa Bacocho!
Final Thoughts
Releasing baby sea turtles in Puerto Escondido is one of the most incredible things I’ve done in Mexico so far, and I highly recommend it! It was one of those “oh my god I can’t believe this is happening” moments – in the best way possible!
Planning a trip to Mexico? Then check out these posts!
• One Day in Guadalajara, Mexico – The Perfect Itinerary
• 3 Days in Puerto Vallarta Itinerary – Perfect for First Timers!
