Grupo Tortuguero de Todos Santos - Turtle Release

Playa La Maquina, Todos Santos

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Cost

Grupo Tortuguero de Todos Santos is maintained through volunteers and donations for fuel and materials. Donations encouraged.

Subject to change; check their website for updates.

+52 1 612 203 4192

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About

Grupo Tortuguero de Todos Santos is committed to conserving sea turtles along the Baja peninsula. Experience the wonder of a lifetime during a trip to Todos Santos by taking part in a baby turtle release. Each year, the organization welcomes locals and volunteers to participate in its amazing efforts. Plan ahead and you may just get in on this magical experience.

Formally established in 2003, Grupo Tortuguero de Todos Santos has focused its conservation efforts on 3 species of sea turtles that nest along beaches around Todos Santos, Baja California Sur. The nesting season is generally from July through November, while baby turtle releases tend to take place from September to January. This of course depends on the season as turtles hatch about 45 days after the initial nesting.

The conservation group welcomes volunteers for both the collection period and the release of the baby sea turtles back into the sea. To preserve the turtle eggs, the group collects them from nests and places them in a central incubation location at La Maquina beach. This collection effort helps protect the eggs and the early hatchlings.

The dedicated team made up of volunteers and locals works tirelessly to rescue the nesting turtles, care for them, and ensure safe environments for the hatchlings. Over the years, the group has expanded its educational outreach within the local community and beyond.

Share your adventures over a meal at La Esquina after taking part in one of the fascinating baby turtle release events.

Grupo Tortuguero de Todos Santos: Fun Facts & Cool Features

Grupo Tortuguero monitors a 35 kilometer span of beach extending from Punta Lobos to Boca del Carrizal on Baja Sur's Pacific Coast.

From July through November, collection efforts generally take place at night. Collected sea turtle eggs are brought back to a central incubation area at “La Maquina” beach just 11 minutes from the center of Todos Santos. Once the hatchlings are ready to head into the waves, Grupo Tortuguero de Todos Santos programs release dates so that locals and visitors can take part in the experience.

Grupo Tortuguero de Todos Santos strives to collect the largest number of turtle eggs possible, collecting over 600 nests at an average of 100 eggs per nest! The release period, generally from September to January, has had a release rate of about 65% of the collected eggs. They have managed to release more than 45,000 baby sea turtles into the Pacific Ocean a season!

Supporting Grupo Tortuguero de Todos Santos offers more than just an unforgettable experience; it contributes to vital conservation efforts that help secure a future for these magnificent creatures. Taking part in the release of baby turtles is an epic experience to add to any Todos Santos getaway.

Getting There

Here are step-by-step driving directions to Grupo Tortuguero’s incubation area on La Maquina beach from Todos Santos:

Start by heading northwest on Calle Juárez toward Todos Santos - La Paz/México 19
Turn left onto Av. Gral. Topete
Turn left onto C. Horizonte
Continue straight three blocks and turn left (near corner of Pacifica Fish Market)
Continue straight for 5 minutes to beach.

Local Tips

Contact Grupo Tortuguero in advance to check for upcoming turtle release dates and times
Wear comfortable footwear for walking along the beach
Pay careful attention to guide instructions to ensure a rewarding turtle release experience
Don't forget sunscreen, a hat for sun protection, and a water bottle to stay hydrated!

Location

Playa La Maquina, Todos Santos

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to Todos Santos?

The closest airports to Todos Santos are the San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD) and the La Paz International Airport (IATA) in Baja California Sur. Each of these airports is about 1.5 – 2 hours driving distance from Todos Santos.

Several shuttle and private car services provide transportation to Todos Santos from the airport, though it’s best to book ahead. Don’t hesitate to consider renting a car as roads are safe and well-maintained. You’ll come across tolls (casetas) from San Jose del Cabo so it’s recommended to have small bills in pesos on hand (about 100 pesos).

Highway 19 from San Jose del Cabo to Todos Santos extends up the Pacific coastline and is a beautiful drive, while Highway 1 from La Paz (that turns into 19) provides a winding adventure through the rugged landscape linking the two coasts.

Renting a car in San Jose del Cabo or La Paz is a great option as this offers you the freedom to explore area beaches more easily, hop up to El Triunfo or over to Los Barriles, or drive between Baja California Sur’s two largest cities.

What's the best way to spend one day in Todos Santos?

Start the day off with the rich aroma of coffee from Chiapas and freshly baked bread at La Esquina. As its name states, this is “the corner” of Todos Santos for a delicious meal any time of day. With an abundance of locally produced fruits and vegetables, La Esquina has over 16 years of experience serving up some of the best breakfasts in the region. Take your time and enjoy the open-air patio as all dishes are made to order.

Continue your journey with a stroll along Calle Benito Juarez, renowned for colorful papel picado overhead that complements the inviting art galleries and handcrafts lining the street. While along Calle Juarez, stop for a picture at the colorful Todos Santos sign right across from the Todos Santos Mission Church. Venture on to the somewhat mistakenly infamous Hotel California for a cool drink at what centuries ago was the first bar to serve ice-cold beer in town.

Take the afternoon to enjoy the waves, surf, and tranquil beaches in and around Todos Santos. Join a surf class at Cerritos Beach and get ready to hit the waves at one of Mexico’s best surf spots. For true adventurers, hike down the lush jungle-like entrance to Palm Beach (Playa San Pedro) that opens out to nearly virgin sands and one of the most picturesque spots on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.

After a day with sand between your toes, wind down with the authentic essence of Mexican cuisine at Los Adobes de Todos Santos. Fresh herbs cultivated in their own garden is only one of the unique touches to this idyllic culinary destination. Todos Santos and Cerritos Beach in El Pescadero are all about art, so you can bet there’s a vibrant, happening music scene to wrap up the night. From banda to reggae, trop-rock to jazz, and guitar strumming to salsa, you will surely find your groove in Todos Santos.