Every summer, thousands of sea turtles head to the beaches of Puerto Vallarta to lay their eggs in the sand. With the help of the Puerto Vallarta Sea Turtle Protection Program, 96% of the eggs can hatch, and the baby turtles are safely shipped back to their oceanic habitat during the second half of the year. Since the annual sea turtle nesting has become an important part of Puerto Vallarta’s culture, this incredible natural event also offers travelers a number of unique entertainment and ecotourism opportunities. While it is true that there is much to see and experience in Puerto Vallarta during the summer and fall months, tourists who visit the city during this time of the year can also partake of the excitement created by the olive ridley turtles that visit alongside them.

Before the involvement of local environmental groups and the Mexican government, only 40% of sea turtle eggs could hatch each year. Although the olive ridley sea turtle is one of the most common species of sea turtle and is found in all the world’s oceans, the olive ridley turtle is on the U.S. Endangered Species List and has become protected in the United States. coastal regions around the world. Sea turtle protection efforts, both in Puerto Vallarta and abroad, are further motivated by the fact that the olive ridley sea turtle faces few threats in the ocean, which means that the human impact on their nesting areas is the biggest cause for concern. While Puerto Vallarta rests along the shores of Banderas Bay, which is ecologically diverse, as well as being framed by vibrant mountain rainforests, the city has long remained one of the most environmentally conscious communities in Mexico. . Additionally, with environmental awareness on the rise around the world, the continued efforts of the Puerto Vallarta community have inspired coastal communities and tourist destinations throughout Mexico and beyond.

Since sea turtle nesting takes place just outside the gates of the best Puerto Vallarta resorts, the local hotel industry has also become involved in the protection effort. In addition to working with local scientists and environmental experts, many of the resorts host special events during the hatching season from July to December (most hatching occurs in November). At the resorts, visitors will be able to find environmental seminars, conferences by renowned marine biologists, and holiday events celebrating another successful season for sea turtles.

However, the most exciting events take place on the adjacent beaches, as visiting families have the opportunity to interact with the newborn turtles and even release them into their oceanic habitat. Sea turtle release events on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta are open to all visiting families and are always free. During nightly releases, both children and adults will be able to hold the newborn turtles and, working with the help of on-site officials, carefully release them onto the sand. Local custom asks the attending children to name the young turtles and wish them luck on their journey, while the adults can take pictures before release. Information on nocturnal releases can be obtained directly from the resorts every day during the hatching season.

Before hatching, resort employees and researchers painstakingly collect the deposited eggs each night and transport them to secure incubation facilities. As the eggs begin to hatch between 40 and 70 days after laying, officials take the baby turtles to the beaches immediately, as the turtles must be released within 24 hours. If you visit Puerto Vallarta during the summer or fall months, it is also possible to tour these hatchery facilities and witness the remarkable research and care that goes into a successful olive ridley season.

When witnessing the remarkable preservation program developed to help the olive ridley turtle, it is easy to see why Puerto Vallarta is recognized as one of the most ecologically conscious travel destinations in the world. Most importantly for tourists, after spending time among the mother turtles and their young, visitors to the area quickly realize that olive ridley turtles do not hinder the fun on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, but rather add a new exciting element to the city. unique experience.