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Conservation center · Mazunte, Oaxaca
Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga
Research and conservation center for turtles in Mazunte, with aquariums of Mexico's marine and freshwater species and an exhibition about nesting.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga
The Mexican Turtle Center is located on the shore of Mazunte beach. It was established in 1991, shortly after the Mexican government banned sea turtle harvesting, which for decades had been the village's main economic activity, with a turtle slaughterhouse on the neighboring beach of San Agustinillo.
The center studies and protects turtles and organizes the surveillance of the region's nesting beaches, such as Escobilla, one of the most important in the world for the olive ridley turtle, where thousands of females come ashore at once to nest in an event called an arribada.
The visit goes through aquariums and tanks with marine species such as the olive ridley, the green turtle and the hawksbill, and with freshwater and terrestrial turtles from Mexico. Panels explain the life cycle, nesting and threats to the species.
Visits are usually guided, and the center has a nursery where eggs are protected until the hatchlings emerge.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 1½ hours.
Best time
In the morning; the center is not open every day, so check ahead. Nesting in the region typically occurs from June to December.
How to get there
It is on the shore of Mazunte beach, in the village. You can walk there.
Tip
Ask about hatchling releases, which take place during the nesting season.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga
When was the Mexican Turtle Center created?
In 1991, shortly after the ban on sea turtle harvesting.
Which turtles are seen at the center?
Olive ridley, green turtle, hawksbill and freshwater and terrestrial species from Mexico.
What is an arribada?
The simultaneous coming ashore of thousands of olive ridley turtles to nest on the same beach.