Reptile Eco Tour Puerto Escondido: Crocodiles, Turtles & Lagoon

Release baby sea turtles into the Pacific at a working turtle sanctuary.

A guided reptile eco tour from Puerto Escondido that visits two community-run wildlife sanctuaries in Oaxaca's coastal region. You row through Ventanilla lagoon observing crocodiles, iguanas and migratory birds in their natural habitat, then join a conservation volunteer at Playa Escobilla turtle sanctuary to learn about marine turtle protection and release newly hatched turtles into the ocean. The tour runs about five and a half hours and includes pickup. Your booking supports both sanctuaries' conservation programs directly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Reptile and turtle conservation tour

• Rowboat tour in Ventanilla lagoon
• Observe iguanas, birds, turtles, crocodiles
• Learn about local flora and mangroves
• Visit turtle sanctuary with volunteer
• Learn marine turtle conservation
• Release newly hatched turtles into ocean

The experience

Five and a half hours covers two stops built around reptile and marine conservation. The morning starts with a rowboat glide through Ventanilla lagoon, where you'll spot crocodiles, iguanas, freshwater turtles and migratory birds moving through mangrove habitat. A local guide from the community points out the flora alongside the fauna (the trees and plants that make the lagoon work), so you're learning the ecosystem, not just checking off animals.

The second half moves to Playa Escobilla, where a volunteer from the turtle sanctuary walks you through what the program actually does: why marine turtles matter globally, what the hatchery protects, and how the release works. Then you're in the water yourself, holding a hatchling and watching it swim toward the Pacific for the first time. It's the moment most people remember from the day.

Pickup is included from your hotel in Puerto Escondido. The guide speaks English or Spanish. Children from age two are welcome, and infants can sit on a lap or use a specialized seat. Your tour fee goes directly to both sanctuaries' conservation work, so the money stays in the communities running them.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Puerto Escondido.
• rowboat tour through Ventanilla lagoon with a local guide.
• visit to Playa Escobilla turtle sanctuary with a conservation volunteer.
• release of hatchling sea turtles.
• guide in English or Spanish.
• direct support for both sanctuaries' conservation programs.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 14:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 80 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (2 to 3 years)

GroupUp to 10

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Puerto Journeys

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a guide leading the group, so you're learning from someone embedded in the communities and their conservation work rather than exploring on your own. It suits anyone who wants to see reptiles and marine life in context (understanding why they matter and how they're protected) rather than just spotting them.

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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 (11 to 17 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (2 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 animals will I actually see on the rowboat through Ventanilla lagoon?

Crocodiles, iguanas, freshwater turtles and migratory birds live in the lagoon's mangrove habitat. The guide points out both the animals and the plants that support them, so you understand how the ecosystem works rather than just spotting species.

Do I release the sea turtles myself, or just watch?

You release them yourself. A volunteer from the Playa Escobilla sanctuary gives you a newly hatched turtle and walks you through the process, so you're part of the moment it enters the ocean for the first time.

How long does the whole tour take from pickup to drop-off?

About five and a half hours total, including the rowboat time at Ventanilla, the sanctuary visit and turtle release at Playa Escobilla, and travel between the two sites.

Is the rowboat ride difficult or physically demanding?

No. The boat is propelled by oars and moves slowly through the lagoon. The tour suits all fitness levels, and children from age two travel comfortably on the boat.

What does my tour fee actually support?

Your booking payment goes directly to the conservation programs at both Ventanilla and Playa Escobilla, supporting the communities' work protecting crocodiles, turtles, iguanas and the habitat they depend on.