Each year in June, the shores of Los Cabos become a nesting ground for four different species of endangered sea turtles — loggerhead, black, leatherback and olive ridley — who return each year to lay their eggs in the sands along the Sea of Cortez, where they were born. Since many of the eggs and hatchlings are targeted by natural predators as well as threatened by humans, a number of hotels and resorts in Los Cabos have joined the worldwide conservation effort through special programs designed to protect the species.
Several hotel programs are currently in place to protect the beloved sea turtles, while also creating a unique personal experience for hotel guests.
Dreams Los Cabos
Dreams Los Cabos’ Dreaming of Freedom Turtle Program works closely with town authorities to ensure the protection of sea turtles. Whenever a sea turtle lays an egg on the hotel’s beach, it is relocated to a nearby farm. Once the turtles have hatched, they are returned to the beach, where guests can participate in sunset releases.
www.dreamsresorts.com
Esperanza, an Auberge Resort
At Esperanza, an Auberge Resort, guests are invited take part in the preservation of endangered species by adopting a baby sea turtle and releasing it into the ocean at El Suspiro Beach at sunset. This three-hour adventure comes with a turtle adoption certificate, roundtrip ground transportation and drinks and appetizers on the beach prepared by the resort’s culinary team.
www.esperanzaresort.com
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort has made it possible for baby turtles to hatch there safely. The hotel’s staff relocates each nest that they find to a “corral”, which is located at the front of the beach perimeter. Once the eggs are safely hatched the hotel coordinates the safe release of the newly born baby turtles into the water.
www.hiltonloscabos.com
Holiday Inn Los Cabos
Home to an on-site hatchery, the Holiday Inn Los Cabos is dedicated to protecting each egg and nest. After the eggs hatch, guests are invited to participate in a releasing ceremony. Each guest receives a turtle and an explanation of the turtle’s life cycle. They choose a name for the baby turtle and, once they release it, they receive a Turtle Release Certificate.
www.holidayinnresorts.com/loscabos
Hotel Finisterra
Hotel Finisterra works with Mexico’s Nature & Wildlife Conservation Office and their biologist, who has trained its staff members in the handling and protection of the nests in order to have the highest control of survival and shelter from predator birds. The property expects to release the baby turtles by the end of August in the company of its hotel guests and children of its employees as well as kids from the Todos Santos Orphanage. The hotel has 107, 134 and 123 eggs per nest.
www.hotelfinisterra.com
Sheraton Hacienda del Mar
From the day the first turtle arrives at the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar, the hotel takes the time to care for each egg from incubation to birth. Eggs are carefully collected and transferred to the Capamento Tortugero Don Manuel Orantes, a nursery where they are held for the 45-day incubation period. The hatchlings are then returned to the nesting area and released at sunrise or sunset. Guests of the hotel are invited to participate in the release, where they will also learn about the nesting process and protection of the turtles.
www.sheratonloscabos.com
