Los Cabos, Mexico, is a wonderful place to see sea turtles. Each year in June, the beaches of Los Cabos become the nesting grounds for five different species of sea turtles. Female turtles that were originally born in Los Cabos return to lay their eggs in the soft sand along the Sea of Cortez. Hotel guests in the area are invited to observe the incubating and hatching process and to help in protecting the sea turtles.
Over 20 hotels and resorts throughout the region are certified as sea turtle watch and rescue sites by PROFEPA, the organization funded by the Mexico government to ensure environmental conservation. To achieve certification, hotels must apply for membership and attend workshops on conservation management of sea turtle nests. In addition, hotels must complete two courses offered by the local supervising committee and PROFEPA in order to be certified to physically move turtle nests.
Here are some resort programs available in the area:
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort has made it possible for baby turtles to hatch safely. The hotel's staff relocates each nest that they find into a safely located "corral." In one year, more than 300 turtles were hatched and released into the water. For more information on the hotel's sea turtle program, visit www.hiltonloscabos.com.
Las Ventanas al Paraiso has been active in protecting sea turtles since 1997. When the first sea turtle arrives, beach attendants guard the nesting area each day as well as post flags and signs to keep people away from the area. Once the eggs hatch, guests staying at the resort can get involved by escorting the turtles to the ocean, helping to keep any land and sea predators away. As a special turndown amenity during this season, a small ceramic turtle and a card printed with the story of the discovery of baby sea turtles at Las Ventanas are left on each guest's pillow. For more information about the sea turtles at Las Ventanas, visit www.lasventanas.com.
The Marquis Los Cabos Resort is home to one of the protected sea turtle beaches recognized by environmental authorities. The eggs on this beach are guarded until they hatch and guests and employees are called upon to assist in their release. For more information about sea turtle programs at the Marquis, visit www.marquisloscabos.com.
At Sheraton Hacienda del Mar, hotel staff members takes the time to care for sea turtles and their eggs from the day the first turtle arrives on the beach. Attendants who watch over the nests register each turtle's date of birth. Once the sea turtles are ready to be released, guests and associates are invited to watch and learn more about the turtles and their voyage. For more information about how the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar is working to protect sea turtles, visit www.sheratonloscabos.com.
Zoetry Casa del Mar Los Cabos was designated as a protected sea turtle hatching ground by the federal government in 2003. During the sea turtle nesting months, the Mexican Navy and authorized resort staff collect nests from surrounding beaches and bring them to the resort's protected holding area. This is done not only to protect the eggs, but also to keep a record of the species and number of eggs laid. So far, Zoetry Casa del Mar has released 6,800 baby turtles from their hatching grounds. For more information, please visit www.zoetryresorts.com/CasaDelMar.
Other hotels with certified sea turtle programs include Casa Dorada Los Cabos, Crowne Plaza Los Cabos Grand Faro, Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa, Hotel Finisterra, The Grand Mayan Los Cabos, Montecristo Estates by Pueblo Bonito, One&Only Palmilla, Presidente InterContinental Los Cabos, Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos, Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Holistic Retreat & Spa, Pueblo Bonito Rose Resort & Spa, Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort & Spa, Royal Solaris Los Cabos, Solmar Suites, Villa de Palmar and the Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos.
