“Went to Playa Escobilla at night to see the arribada — thousands of sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. It's one of the most incredible natural phenomena I've ever witnessed. Our guide was a local biologist who clearly loved his work. Don't miss this if you're here in season.”
Experiences
Turtle nesting
Playa Escobilla, Puerto Escondido
Duration
4 hours
Departs
5:00 PM
Returns
9:00 PM
Location
Playa Escobilla
From
$1,500 MXN
Trusted by travelers from around the world
Gallery — 5 photos
Playa Escobilla is the number one turtle nesting beach in the whole world — where hundreds of thousands of olive ridley sea turtles converge to nest in a phenomenon called an arribada. This evening tour from Puerto Escondido takes you to witness one of nature's most extraordinary spectacles, release baby turtles at sunset, and enjoy a bonfire dinner on the beach cooked by local hosts Antonio and Maria.
Your experience
What to Expect
We pick you up at 5:00 PM from your hotel or Airbnb in Puerto Escondido and drive approximately 35 minutes south to Playa Escobilla. Your hosts — Antonio and Maria, local residents who have been living and working with the turtles their whole life — welcome you to the magical environment of the turtle sanctuary.
The evening begins with releasing baby turtles at sunset, watching them scramble across the sand toward the Pacific on flippers no bigger than a coin. Then you settle in for a bonfire dinner on the beach, where Maria and Antonio prepare the catch of the day — fresh fish cooked right on the sand. As darkness falls, the real spectacle begins: you walk the beach to watch adult turtles laying their eggs. The nesting process happens mostly at night, as the temperature is too high during the day for the mothers, who spend enormous energy digging nests and depositing their eggs at just the right spot.
Hour by hour
Detailed Itinerary
5:00 PM
Pickup from Your Hotel
Your driver picks you up from your hotel or Airbnb in Puerto Escondido for the 35-minute drive south to Playa Escobilla.
5:35 PM
Arrive at Playa Escobilla
Meet your hosts Antonio and Maria at the turtle sanctuary. They introduce you to the magical environment and explain what you will witness tonight.
6:00 PM
Baby Turtle Release at Sunset
Release baby sea turtles and watch them navigate the sand toward the breaking waves as the sun sets over the Pacific. Your hosts capture the moment with photos.
6:30 PM
Bonfire Dinner on the Beach
Settle in around a bonfire on the sand as Maria and Antonio prepare the catch of the day — fresh fish cooked right there on the beach. Drinks are included. A truly authentic Oaxacan experience.
7:30 PM
Turtle Nesting Observation
As darkness falls, walk the beach with your hosts to watch adult olive ridley turtles emerge from the surf and lay their eggs. The nesting process is intense and primal — a ritual unchanged for millions of years. Antonio and Maria guide you through the rules to observe without disturbing the turtles.
9:00 PM
Return to Puerto Escondido
Drive back under the stars, arriving at your accommodation by late evening.
What makes it special
Highlights
World's #1 turtle nesting beachPlaya Escobilla hosts the largest olive ridley arribadas on Earth
Baby turtle release at sunsetHelp hatchlings make their first journey to the sea
Watch adult turtles lay eggsA nighttime spectacle of primal, ancient instinct
Bonfire dinner on the beachFresh catch of the day cooked by Antonio and Maria right on the sand
Local hosts Antonio and MariaLifelong turtle residents who share their deep knowledge and passion
Photo shooting includedYour hosts capture the experience for you
All set
What's Included
Round-trip transportation from your hotel or Airbnb (35-minute drive each way)
Personal guides — Antonio and Maria, local turtle experts
Bonfire dinner — catch of the day cooked on the beach
Drinks
Photo shooting during the experience
Baby turtle release at sunset (when available)
Pack light
What to Bring
Long pants and closed-toe shoes for walking on the beach at night
Insect repellent — the beach can be buggy in the evening
Light jacket for the cool evening air
Camera with flash turned OFF — flash disturbs nesting turtles and is strictly prohibited
Cash for tips
Before you book
Good to Know
Transportation is included;
we pick you up at 5:00 PM and drop you back by 9:00 PM — door to door from anywhere in Puerto Escondido. Playa Escobilla is about 35 minutes south.
Dinner and drinks are included;
Antonio and Maria cook the catch of the day right on the beach over a bonfire. This is not a restaurant — it is an authentic, home-cooked Oaxacan meal on the sand with your hosts.
Nesting season:
July through December; arribadas (mass nesting events) are most common from August through October, when thousands of turtles may nest simultaneously. Outside this window, individual turtles may still be observed.
Flash photography and white lights are strictly prohibited;
artificial light disorients nesting turtles and hatchlings. Use your camera without flash. Your hosts include photo shooting as part of the experience.
Baby turtle releases depend on nest timing;
hatchlings emerge on their own schedule and cannot be guaranteed on every visit. Antonio and Maria will let you know what to expect when you arrive.
This is different from the regular turtle release tour;
the regular tour focuses on releasing baby turtles at sunset. This tour is a full evening experience: baby release + bonfire dinner + nighttime adult nesting observation. It runs later and includes a meal.
Suitable for all ages;
the beach walking is easy and the bonfire dinner is a wonderful family experience. Children find the nesting process fascinating.
Real traveler stories
What travelers are saying
“Eine unfassbare Naturerfahrung. Tausende Meeresschildkröten legen ihre Eier am Strand von Escobilla. Unser Guide war sehr respektvoll und informativ. Man geht leise, mit Rotlicht, und beobachtet einen der erstaunlichsten Vorgänge der Natur.”
4.9 (185)
5.0 (140)
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From
$1,500 MXN