Puerto Escondido: Sea Turtle Release at Camp Tortuguero

4.93

(124 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the hush — just the soft crunch of our shoes on sand as we followed our guide down a path lined with tangled mangroves. Someone pointed out a heron standing so still it looked carved from driftwood. The air smelled a bit salty, but also green, if that makes sense. We were heading to Camp Tortuguero for the sea turtle release, and honestly, I didn’t know what to expect.

At the camp, we met Ana, one of the biologists. She had this way of explaining things that made you want to listen — not preachy, just honest. She showed us these rows of little fenced nests in the sand and talked about how they protect the eggs from dogs, birds, even people sometimes. The sun was starting to dip and everything felt quieter than usual. I remember Ana handing me a tiny turtle (I was nervous — their shells are softer than I thought) and saying something like “They know where they’re going.”

We all stood back as the hatchlings shuffled toward the waves. Some went straight for it; others zigzagged or paused like they were thinking twice. There was this moment when everyone fell silent except for the sound of water hitting shore and some distant laughter from kids down the beach. It’s strange — you root for these little creatures so hard in just a few minutes. I still think about one especially determined turtle that kept getting flipped by the foam but never gave up.

Afterwards, Ana answered questions about their work and why these releases matter (she got pretty animated talking about poaching — it’s clearly personal). Walking back under that pinkish sky, someone asked if we could come again tomorrow. So yeah, if you’re looking for a day trip in Puerto Escondido that feels real and kind of hopeful, this is it.