Hotels & Resorts Throughout the Destination Await the Birth of Thousands of Baby Sea Turtles
Los Cabos, Mexico – Each year in June, the shores of Los Cabos become the nesting grounds for five different species of sea turtles. Female turtles that are born in Los Cabos, return to lay their eggs in the soft sands along the Sea of Cortes where they were born. Guests are invited to observe the incubating and hatching process as well as lend a helping hand in protecting the sea turtles.Over 20 hotels throughout the destination are certified as sea turtle watch and rescue sites by PROFEPA, the federally funded organization dedicated to ensuring environmental justice in Mexico. To achieve certification, each hotel must apply for membership and attend workshops on conservation management of sea turtle nests. Additionally, hotels must complete two courses offered by the local supervising committee and PROFEPA in order to be certified to physically move the turtle nests.
The following is a sample of hotel programs currently in place to protect the beloved sea turtles that return to the tip of the Baja Peninsula each year, creating a unique personal experience for hotel guests:Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort has made it possible for the baby turtles to hatch safely. The hotel’s staff relocates each nest that they find to a “corral”, which is located at the front of the beach perimeter. In 2005 more than 300 turtles were hatched and released into the water. For more information about the Hilton Los Cabos’ sea turtle program please visit www.hiltonloscabos.com.
Since 1997 Las Ventanas al Paraiso has been committed to protecting the sea turtles that return to its beach each year. With the arrival of the first sea turtle, Beach Attendants safeguard the nesting area each day as well as post flags and signs to keep people at a distance. Once the eggs hatch, the attendants swirl sashes in the air to frighten away any sea birds that may be lingering near the baby turtles. Guests staying at the resort can also get involved by escorting the turtles to the ocean, helping to keep any land or sea predators at bay. As a special turndown amenity during this special season, a small ceramic turtle and a card printed with the story of the discovery of the baby sea turtles at Las Ventanas are left on each guest’s pillow. For more information about experiencing the sea turtles at Las Ventanas, please visit www.lasventanas.com.
The Marquis Los Cabos Resort is home to one of the protected sea turtle beaches recognized by environmental authorities. The eggs that are nested on this beach are watched over until they hatch when guests and employees are called upon to assist in their release. For more information about the sea turtles and the other environmental initiatives the Marquis offers, please visit www.marquisloscabos.com.
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. Once the eggs are laid, the nests are tagged and protected until they hatch. At this time, a member of the Brigade, attendants who watch over the nests, registers each turtle’s date of birth. Once the sea turtles are ready to be released, guests and associates are invited to watch. As the sea turtles make their way to the ocean, members of the Brigade educate onlookers about the turtles and their voyage as well as what people can do to protect the sea turtles. For more information about how the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar is working to protect the sea turtles, please visit www.sheratonloscabos.com.
In 2003, Zoetry Casa del Mar Los Cabos was designated as a protected sea turtle hatching ground by the federal government. During the sea turtle’s nesting months, the Mexican Navy along with authorized resort staff collect nests from surrounding beaches and bring them to the resort’s protected holding area. This is done to not only protect the eggs but also keep a record of the species and number of eggs that are laid. So far, Zoetry Casa del Mar has released 6,800 baby turtles from their hatching grounds. For more information about Zoetry Casa del Mar’s protection efforts please visit, www.zoetryresorts.com/CasaDelMar.
Other hotels with certified sea turtle rescue programs include Casa Dorada Los Cabos, Crowne Plaza Los Cabos Grand Faro, Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa, Hotel Finisterra, The Grand Mayan Los Cabos, Montecristo Estates by Pueblo Bonito, One&Only Palmilla, Presidente InterContinental Los Cabos, Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos, Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Holistic Retreat & Spa, Pueblo Bonito Rosé Resort & Spa, Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort & Spa, Royal Solaris Los Cabos, Solmar Suites. Villa de Palmar and the Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos.
Families, honeymooners, mature travelers, golfers, eco-tourists, artists, photographers, sightseers and others find what they are looking for when they visit Los Cabos. Located at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos offers travelers an exotic escape within easy reach of most U.S. cities.
With non-stop flights or convenient connections available from Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Missouri; Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York/Newark, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, California, Seattle and more, Los Cabos is both accessible and exciting. For more about Los Cabos and a copy of its informative travel planner, call 1-866-LOS-CABOS or visit www.visitloscabos.org.