The Sea Turtle Festival in Tulum: A Celebration of Conservation
The Sea Turtle Festival in Tulum is a vibrant and heartwarming celebration of a remarkable success story in the world of conservation. These ancient and awe-inspiring reptiles have long captured the imagination of people around the globe, but in recent years, their populations have faced severe threats. However, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, the tide has been turning for these incredible animals. The festival serves as a reminder of the vital role these majestic creatures play in our ecosystem and honors the ongoing work to protect their habitats and ensure their survival for generations to come.
History bits
In 2003, the Sea Turtle Festival had its humble beginnings as a tribute to the dedicated individuals working tirelessly along the Tulum coast to protect these magnificent creatures. Every year, the festival celebrates the collaborative efforts of all turtle camps in Tulum municipality. It has since grown and now takes place in three vibrant locations – Tulum, Akumal, and Xcacel. The festival serves as a joyful reminder that every nest hatched brings hope for the sea turtles’ future, aiming to ensure they are no longer on the brink of extinction.
What to do
Each year, the festival’s success is made possible through the collaborative efforts of an organizing committee, which includes government departments, dedicated civil society organizations such as Fundación Tulum A.C., and supportive private companies.
The festival holds a crucial mission: to instill a profound sense of responsibility for the conservation and safeguarding of endangered species, such as sea turtles, among the local population, particularly the younger generation. The inaugural day of the festival concentrates on engaging children and youth in various educational and fun activities. These include captivating events like children’s drawing contests, designing artistic depictions of turtle shells, and creating impressive sand sculptures. The highlight of the day culminates in the heartwarming release of tiny turtle hatchlings back into the wild, creating an enduring bond between the community and these remarkable creatures.
The sea turtle festival in Tulum: Facts to consider
Eight different sea turtle species grace the world’s waters, with Mexican shores being particularly beloved by six of them.
This nesting season promises an abundance of activity, with approximately 900 nests of the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and 700 nests of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) already counted.
A striking realization about these magnificent creatures is that out of every thousand baby turtles, only a single one will survive to adulthood.
The Xcacel-Xcacelito Sea Turtle Sanctuary is located in the municipality of Tulum, Federal Highway 307 at kilometer 15 between Tulum and Playa de Carmen.
