Nature/Adventure/Ecotourism

Once wonderfully abundant, sea turtle populations have dwindled to endangered species.

However, over the past years, admirable conservation efforts to replenish and protect turtle populations are being supported by federal government environmental agencies throughout Mexico's coastlines including Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo where community-wide efforts of the Municipality as well as several hotels are enhancing the survival rate of hundreds of thousands of hatchlings.

During the May-October many of them-- primarily he Golfina, also the Laud and Carey species -- return to the beaches of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, some making their nests in the beachfronts of the hotels.

Trained volunteers, including hotel employees, carefully "rescue" the eggs and place them in corrals wher incubation is monitored.

Hatchlings are then carefully placed in "holding tanks" giving them time to gain strength before they are set out to sea to face survival against predators and natural elements.

Visitors enjoy observing the baby turtles. When timing is appropriate on certain evenings, hotels organize a special beach activity for their guests: setting the hatchlings free and watching them scamper intuitively toward the sea.

This is a memorable experience for children and adults.