Oaxaca Nature & Culture
Join our adventure to this extraordinary and safe corner of Mexico. We’ll have a chance to experience the incredible arribada, a mass nesting of olive ridley turtles that can be hundreds of thousands of turtles. Oaxaca (pronounced Wa-ha-ka) offers incredible opportunities to experience the unique culture, food, and beautiful coastal areas.
This trip is led by a bilingual Mexican guide in coordination with our Oaxaca-based Program Director Adriana Cortes who will join for parts of the trip.
*Please note: Due to their unpredictable timing, we can’t guarantee that the group will see an arribada though there will be several opportunities to see and interact with turtles even if no arribada occurs. The itinerary may change depending on when the turtles arrive (though the dates are set).
2025 Date: Nov 30 to Dec 7. *Tour is full, contact us at right to be added to the wait list or alerted for future trips.
Price: $1,995 pp.
Includes: All in-country transportation, accommodations, meals as noted in itinerary, activities, airport pickup & transfer, tips for meals, and a donation to turtle conservation.
Excludes: Airfare, 1 dinner, personal items, tips for guide, hotels, and activities.
Animal List:
Will SEE: Olive ridley turtles (hatchlings and in the water), crocodiles, iguanas, deer, many species of birds
Probably will SEE: Olive ridleys (nesting), dolphins, & rays
May SEE: Leatherbacks (nesting and hatchlings), humpback whales, black turtles (nesting & hatchlings)
Trip Highlights:
Visit two nesting beaches looking for olive ridleys and leatherback turtles and hatchlings
Spend time with local artisans to make souvenirs and with families to learn how to make tamales
Explore the beautiful coast visiting waterfalls, local farms, mangroves, and ocean
CONTACT US TO:
Ask a question
Be alerted for future trips or added to the wait list
All profits support conservation efforts
Work directly with local researchers
Unique experiences
Personalized service
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - ARRIVE TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO
Fly into the Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM) by 3 pm to meet the group in time to transfer to Escobilla, one of the most important arribada beaches for olive ridley turtles in the world with up to 500,000 nesting turtles in one event (over a few days). After a 30 minute drive we will settle into our accommodations upon arrival.
That afternoon, we will get an introduction to this extraordinary beach and these fascinating turtles. That night following dinner, we will walk the beach to look for turtles and hatchlings emerging from their nests. (Overnight at Hotel Escobilla (2 nights). (D)
DAY 2 - TAMALES, BEACH TIME, & NESTING TURTLES
Today after breakfast, a local family will teach the group how to make tamales (along with plenty of samples). We will have lunch at Agua Blanca (15 minute drive) followed by some beach time. We will have some time off in the afternoon and meet again for dinner at 7:00 pm. We will walk Escobilla beach again to look for nesting olive ridleys. (B, L, D)
DAY 3 - TRANSFER TO BARRA DE LA CRUZ, BEACH TIME & NIGHT PATROL
After breakfast, we will head to Barra de la Cruz, which is a significant nesting beach for leatherbacks, olive ridleys, and black turtles (2 hour drive). Once we arrive, we will settle into our accommodations. We will head to the beach, which is a very famous surfing spot. We will have a tasty local lunch at the community restaurant and then time to relax at the beach.
This evening, the lead biologist of the station will give a presentation about leatherbacks and the work they do. After the talk, we will sample yummy dishes in a local restaurant.
We will also patrol the nesting beach looking for nesting turtles. When we find one, we will help the local researchers collect data on the turtles and move the eggs to the hatchery. Overnight at Posada Blanca, a simple but comfortable locally-owned hotel (3 nights).
DAY 4 - COCONUT FARM & BEACH PATROL
After breakfast, we will visit an organic coconut farm to learn about how this ubiquitous fruit is used for beauty products. We will learn the whole process of this family production and make our own coconut-based soaps.
We will also have a presentation regarding the history of the traditional dresses from this region (known as Istmo), one of the most beautiful traditional dresses in Mexico. We will savor a traditional lunch and then have some time off to rest and be ready for our second night walk looking for nesting turtles. (B, L, D)
DAY 5 - WATERFALL TOUR, FREE TIME, & NIGHT PATROL
After breakfast, we will head to San Miguel del Puerto to visit part of the mountains and a beautiful waterfall, which we will have time to explore and jump in and swim. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and then visit a local plant-based products store.
Afterwards, we head back to Barra de la Cruz where we will have down time before dinner and then we will go to the station for our last night of beach patrol. (B, L, D)
DAY 6 - MAZUNTE, MANGROVE TOUR, & HANDICRAFTS
After breakfast this morning, we will head to Ventanilla (1.5 hour drive), the first community in the coast of Oaxaca to offer ecotourism activities. We will tour a mangrove lagoon by boat to look for crocodiles, birds, iguanas, and more.
During the tour, we will visit a small island home to a deer rescue center and small museum that we will visit. We will also visit some local handicraft stands to shop for souvenirs and try local dishes for lunch in this community.
After this activity, we will take a 10 minute ride to the coastal town of Mazunte. In the afternoon, we will have free time to explore this “Pueblo Magico,” named for its charming beach town and the local material used in its constructions.
Dinner will be on your own tonight to choose from one of several excellent options. (Overnight at Bendita Luna or similar). (B, L)
DAY 7 - BOAT TOUR, SNORKELING, & SUNSET WALK
Today starts with an early morning boat ride (7:30 am) to look for animals including turtles, dolphins, whales, and rays as well as visiting several beautiful beaches. We will stop for breakfast at the beach of Estacahuite, have some beach time and go snorkeling.
We then return to Mazunte for lunch and some rest. In the late afternoon we will visit Punta Cometa, the westernmost point on Mexico’s mainland coast, a great spot to catch beautiful sunsets. We will wrap up the day with a celebratory dinner together in Mazunte. (B, L, D)
DAY 8 - DEPARTURE
After breakfast, transfer to the Puerto Escondido airport. Feel free to extend your stay to enjoy more of this beautiful region.
Testimonial:
“Unexpected pleasures everyday on this trip. The 5 days and nights in search of turtles nesting and helping hatchlings to the ocean was an incredible experience. The daily adventures, the meals each day and the night experiences with the turtles filled up the days and nights!”
-Anonymous
Similar Trips:
Trip Notes:
Itinerary Note: We will adhere to this schedule as closely as possible, but participants should be aware that due to the unpredictabililty of the timing of the arribada, our itinerary can change to take advantage of that, though we will aim to include all of the listed activities if possible.
Minimum recommended age is 10 years old. Travelers under 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult.
Group size is limited to 12 people. At least 8 people are needed to confirm the trip.
We give full refunds if we need to cancel a trip. If you cancel, your fees can be applied to a future trip, except within 60 days of departure when payments to local providers are already made. See our full terms and conditions.
Discounts Available: $50 off for paying by check.
Is This Trip Right For Me?
Oaxaca is a safe region in Mexico to visit. On this trip, you’ll be staying in basic (Escobilla) to mid-level accommodations (Barra & Mazunte), but air conditioning is rarely available. You’ll be eating authentic dishes with local families and in restaurants, and participating in fun activities. Activities may be modified due to wind, weather, and other conditions. We don’t guarantee wildlife interactions, but this trip is scheduled at the most likely timing for the arribada. There will be various physical activities that require some exertion including night beach walks though all activities are optional.
OTHER TURTLE CONSERVATION TRIPS
Photos: Gilby Alvarez, Tui DeRoy