Turtle release season begins in Puerto Vallarta

Every year different species of sea turtles come to spawn on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, and during this season, the shells begin to open so that the newborn hatchlings can take their first steps towards what will be their new home in the Mexican Pacific.

From July to January each year, this tourist destination, which has established itself as one of the most important coasts in Mexico for the preservation of sea turtles, has one of the most impressive natural spectacles ready for all visitors, the release of turtles.

In Puerto Vallarta, you will find different turtle camp locations, where it’s possible to participate in the release or as a spectator, but always strictly complying with all sanitary protocols to safeguard the health of the attendees, as well as that of the offspring.

In places where it is possible to participate actively, such as the Hotel Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, the groups are divided into families to benefit the healthy distance during the current COVID-19 pandemic, they are asked to wear masks at all times and they are provided with a natural container to place the turtles in them and avoid physical contact, according to the on-site biologist, José Alberto Jaime Torres.

The Boca de Tomates Tortuguero Camp is also open this season to receive all those interested in carrying out this extraordinary experience of nature, wherein the same way all protocols will be strictly respected to avoid hurting the offspring and that they arrive safely to the sea, as well as a healthy distance between the assistants.

Within this important destination, there are tour companies with whom it is possible to release the newborn turtles, as is the case with Ecotours Vallarta. Wildlife Connection, in the hands of its specialists, will guide visitors about its protection program for the species and will take them to their refuge to guide the small reptiles to their new home.

Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta Hotel carries out this activity by letting guests or any assistant observe this process. They are kept at a distance of two meters from the line where the hatchlings are found, and the staff supervises that no one enters the sea at the point where the release was made for a period of 20 minutes after the last turtle has entered.

This incredible experience is ideal for the whole family, both children and adults can enjoy the liberation, which becomes such an emotional moment when a little turtle moves on the sand by its instinct towards the sea, where it will begin its first steps of life, hoping that in adulthood they will return to the same place where they were born.

In Puerto Vallarta, you can find from 70 to 230 nests on average depending on the camp, managing to release from 60 to 500 sea turtles per day.

“Once the young hatch and are active, the nest is counted, registered, and immediate release is carried out. The activity is generally done with those who are born between 5 and 7 in the afternoon, there is no calendar because there is no guaranteed date and time of birth”, says Alma Lucatero, Sustainability Coordinator of the Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta Hotel.

Reaching the waters of the Pacific and away from their predators, the turtles are carried away by these currents and the so-called Lost Year of the Sea Turtles begins.

Participating in the release of turtles is free, but if it is within the possibilities of each visitor, an economic donation can be made to support the work of the civil associations that carry out this activity, among which are the Red Tortuguera, CEMBA, among others.

Remember that, if during your stay in Puerto Vallarta you find a turtle, it is important to keep an approximate distance of 7 meters, not to take photos with flash since they can be scared, and above all, not to disturb them since spawning can be interrupted.

Puerto Vallarta is a tourist destination committed to the environment, the release of turtles is only one of the many activities to be carried out to preserve and care for biodiversity.

Every year different species of sea turtles come to spawn on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, and during this season, the shells begin to . . .

Follow Us On Google News | Get Our Newsletter



Trending News on PVDN

  • tropical-storm-flossie-hurricane-mexico-pacific-coastTropical Storm Flossie to Strengthen into Hurricane as It Tracks Along Mexico’s Pacific Coast Tropical Storm Flossie is expected to become a Category 2 hurricane by July 2 as it moves parallel to Mexico’s Pacific coast, bringing dangerous rainfall, wind, and surf. Tropical Storm Flossie is on the verge of forming from Tropical Depression Six-E and is forecast to strengthen rapidly into a hurricane as it parallels Mexico’s southwestern…
  • hurricane-flossie-strengthens-july-1-2025Hurricane Flossie will bring tropical storm conditions to parts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco Hurricane Flossie intensifies off Mexico's Pacific coast with winds near 90 mph. Heavy rain, flooding, and tropical storm conditions expected in parts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco. Hurricane Flossie continued to intensify early Tuesday morning as it moved west-northwestward off the coast of southwestern Mexico, prompting tropical storm warnings and watches across multiple states.…
  • puerto-vallarta-rainfall-hurricane-flossie-july-2025Puerto Vallarta braces for torrential rains as Hurricane Flossie gains strength Puerto Vallarta faces a high risk of flooding as Hurricane Flossie intensifies in the Pacific. Torrential rains and overwhelmed drainage systems pose major challenges for the city. Puerto Vallarta, a city wedged between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is no stranger to dramatic weather shifts—but this summer, the skies are testing the…
  • tropical-storm-flossie-mexico-coast-rain-surf-alertCabo Corrientes under tropical storm watch as Flossie expected to Bring Heavy Rain and Dangerous Surf to Southwestern Mexico Tropical Storm Flossie is forecast to strengthen and may impact Mexico's southwest coast from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes with heavy rain, flooding, and hazardous surf early this week. Tropical Storm Flossie is expected to deliver heavy rains, gusty winds, and dangerous surf conditions to Mexico’s southwestern coast in the coming days, prompting authorities to issue…
  • tropical-storm-flossie-strengthens-mexico-june-2025Tropical Storm Flossie Strengthens Off Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Could Become Hurricane by Tuesday Tropical Storm Flossie gains strength off southwestern Mexico, with hurricane status possible by Tuesday. Storm warnings issued from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula. Tropical Storm Flossie continues to gain strength off Mexico’s Pacific coastline, prompting tropical storm warnings and watches across several southwestern states. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Flossie is expected…
  • raw-sewage-playa-los-muertos-puerto-vallartaMore Raw Sewage Dumping at Playa Los Muertos Appear to Come From Local Hotel Business owners in Puerto Vallarta are demanding action after raw sewage was discovered leaking onto Playa Los Muertos, raising public health and tourism concerns. A raw sewage leak at Playa Los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta has sparked outrage among local tourist service providers and business owners, who say the contamination is driving away visitors and…
  • cancun-beach-cleanup-sargassumMassive Beach Cleanup to Combat Sargassum in Cancun After a week of the Cancun’s tourism department denying sargassum existed and insisting media photos were fakes, over 600 public servants and volunteers joined the first simultaneous beach cleanup. In a bold step toward environmental preservation and tourism sustainability, Cancun's Municipal President Ana Paty Peralta led the city’s first simultaneous beach cleanup effort this week.…
  • oregon-murder-fugitive-extradited-puerto-vallartaFugitive Wanted for 2008 Oregon Homicide Captured in Puerto Vallarta and Extradited to U.S. Jesús Rodríguez Borrayo, a fugitive for 17 years, was extradited from Mexico to Oregon for his role in a 2008 drive-by shooting that left one dead. He was located in Puerto Vallarta. A man wanted for murder and other violent crimes in the United States for nearly two decades has been extradited after being found…
  • cancun-2025-sargassum-beaches-and-activitiesSargassum won’t ruin your Cancun vacation, there are plenty of clean beaches and tourist activities As the 2025 sargassum season continues through September, visitors to Cancun can still enjoy clear beaches like Playa Delfines and Playa Caracol. As the 2025 sargassum season intensifies across Quintana Roo, tourists are finding it more difficult to enjoy the region’s iconic white-sand beaches without encountering the unsightly brown seaweed. While the influx of sargassum…
  • tropical-wave-7-floods-bacalar-chetumal-emergency-responseTropical Wave Floods Bacalar and Chetumal as Navy and Army Activate Emergency Plans Torrential rains from Tropical Wave 7 flood Bacalar and Chetumal, prompting emergency response from the Navy and Army. Several towns remain isolated in southern Quintana Roo. Torrential rains caused by Tropical Wave Number 7 have flooded multiple communities in southern Quintana Roo, prompting a joint emergency response from Mexico’s Navy and Army. Authorities activated their…
Scroll to Top