Puerto Escondido Olive Ridley Turtle Release Conservation Help

Work alongside conservationists to release newborn sea turtles

The Olive Ridley Turtle Release Experience is a hands-on activity at a protected nesting site near Puerto Escondido where you see newborn turtles, learn species conservation from working biologists, and participate directly in releasing hatchlings. Hotel pickup is included, and the activity runs about two and a half hours. Children from age one are welcome, and the work suits all fitness levels.

The experience

You start from your accommodation in Puerto Escondido and travel 30 minutes by air-conditioned vehicle to a turtle protection camp on one of Oaxaca's most remote stretches of coast. The camp sits away from tourist areas, built around the actual work of rescuing and protecting Olive Ridley eggs and hatchlings. Once there, you move into the real operation: you'll see newborn turtles in their first hours, watch how conservationists monitor nests and prepare hatchlings for release, and then step into the water yourself to help the babies reach the ocean.

The work is straightforward and hands-on. Conservationists walk you through what they do: why the eggs need protection, how they identify healthy hatchlings, what the ocean journey ahead looks like for each turtle. You're not watching a demonstration. You're part of the team. As you move through the camp, you'll also notice the ecosystem around the turtles: the birds, insects and plants that share this coastal habitat. The whole experience stays grounded in the actual conservation mission, not in performance or spectacle.

The activity ends when you return to your hotel, giving you time to rest before dinner or to explore Puerto Escondido's town center. If you're staying without a rental car, the included pickup means you don't need to arrange transport or negotiate a taxi fare to reach the camp.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle pickup from your Puerto Escondido hotel.
• hands-on participation in turtle hatchling release with working conservationists.
• access to the protected nesting camp and its coastal habitat.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 16:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (19 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 85 years) · Youth (9 to 18 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Manglar Birdwatch

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Puerto Escondido without a car and want to spend a morning doing something concrete rather than watching from the sidelines. The included pickup means you skip arranging transport, and the two-and-a-half-hour window leaves the rest of your day free.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 18 years); Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I do when I get to the turtle camp?

You work directly with conservationists to help release newborn Olive Ridley hatchlings into the ocean. They show you how to identify healthy turtles, explain the protection work happening at the camp, and guide you through the release process itself. You're not observing from a distance. You're part of the hands-on effort.

How far is the turtle camp from Puerto Escondido, and how do I get there?

The camp sits 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido by vehicle. Hotel pickup is included, so the driver collects you from your accommodation and brings you back after the activity ends. No need to arrange your own transport or find the location yourself.

What is an Olive Ridley turtle, and why does this camp protect them?

Olive Ridley sea turtles are one of the most endangered sea turtle species. The camp rescues eggs from nests at risk and raises hatchlings in protected conditions before releasing them into the ocean, giving them a better chance of survival than if they were left exposed on the beach.

How long does the whole experience take?

The activity runs about two and a half hours from the time you leave your hotel until you return. That includes the 30-minute drive each way and the time spent at the camp working with the turtles and conservationists.

What else will I see at the camp besides the turtles?

The camp sits in a coastal habitat, so you'll encounter the birds, insects and plants that live alongside the turtles. The conservationists point out how the ecosystem supports the species and why protecting the nesting beach matters for the whole environment.