Mexico is home to an array of magnificent sea turtles, yet their existence is under siege from pervasive threats like habitat loss, bycatch, pollution, and climate change. The imperative to preserve these species cannot be overstated, as they face a myriad of challenges. Among the remarkable sea turtles found in Mexico are the olive ridley turtle, the loggerhead turtle, the leatherback turtle, the hawksbill turtle, and the black sea turtle.

Image Courtesy of https://tortugasmazunte.org/

Mexico has numerous important nesting sites along its coasts in the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Some of the most prominent sea turtle nesting sites in Mexico are:

Common features of turtle conservation centers include nurturing tanks for rehabilitation, carefully curated nesting areas, engaging educational facilities, and impactful community engagement programs. These centers play a vital role in conservation by offering a sanctuary where turtles can receive specialized care and where inspirational educational activities are conducted to elevate public awareness of the significance of safeguarding these remarkable species.

Mazunte, Oaxaca. Image courtesy of https://tortugasmazunte.org/

Caring for and protecting the various species is a widely recognized endeavor where sea turtles reside. It’s an opportunity for the public to actively engage in these efforts, whether by arranging boat charters to visit the turtles’ habitats or by assisting the hatchlings as they strive to reach the shore, safeguarding them from the encircling seagulls at the turtle sanctuary area.

You can find Sanctuaries in the next locations:

Rancho Nuevo Beach, Tamaulipas: This beach in the Gulf of Mexico is known for being one of the main nesting sites for the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).

Oaxaca Coast (such as Mazunte and Morro Ayuta): The coast of the state of Oaxaca on the Mexican Pacific is an important nesting site for several species, including the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).

Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur: This bay on the Baja California peninsula is known for being a nesting site for the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo: In the Mexican Caribbean, Isla Mujeres is an important nesting place for sea turtles, especially the white turtle (Chelonia mydas).

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Quintana Roo: This protected area in the Yucatan Peninsula is a key habitat for the loggerhead turtle and other species.

Playa Escobilla, Oaxaca: This beach on the Oaxacan coast is famous for being one of the largest nesting sites in the world for the olive ridley turtle.

This photo captures the moment when I finally reached the Sanctuary in Mazunte, Oaxaca. It’s not just a route for me; it’s a lifeline, a refuge from the demands of my service industry job in Mexico City. From the tender age of 19, when I first ventured out on my solo travels, this place has a source of immense wellness and rejuvenation. My Chosen path was the following: I would eagerly board a flight to Puerto Escondido from CDMX, then embark on a thrilling bus journey to San Agustinillo, and finally, I join a small collective to Mazunte. The slow, hypnotic rhythm of this bohemian beach soothes my soul, but when the time comes, I reluctantly retrace my steps by collective and bus, hopping from one beach to the next, savoring each moment until I must finally return to the City.