Helping new turtles in Akumal

It’s sometimes hard to believe there are relatively quiet places in Mexico’s Riviera Maya—the long stretch south of Cancun toward Tulum. I was there only nine years ago, and on a recent trip, I noticed many more hotels dotting the road. But more development doesn’t mean you can’t find a sweet spot in the area, hang out with locals and help preserve the marine environment.

In the town of Akumal (which means “Place of the Turtle” in the Mayan language), the Akumal Ecological Center operates volunteer projects on coral reef monitoring, sea turtle monitoring and environmental education projects. Located in the heart of town, right near the beach, it’s easy to stop in and check out the various displays used to educate people about why the area’s natural attractions are so special and worth preserving.

During turtle nesting season, visitors can volunteer on turtle walks: looking for new nests, moving eggs to protect hatchlings and releasing new hatchlings into the sea. When I visited last month, there were still plenty of nests on the beach, marked with little signs reminding people to steer clear of them. I didn’t see any tiny turtles making their way to the water, which somewhat disappointed me, but it’s a good enough reason to return.

Have you participated in turtle programs in Mexico or elsewhere? Tell us about your experience!