Riviera Nayarit Fun in Lo de Marcos, Guayabitos and La Penita Mexico

Jan 242012

Riviera Nayarit Community Fun

Its the middle of January already and the Riviera Nayarit in beautiful Mexico is in full swing for the winter season. There have been many community functions and business attractions, and we want to share some of them with you! There is always a lot happening on the Riviera Nayarit, and you can check out the happenings on AllSayulita.com, AllSanPancho.com, AllLodeMarcos.com, AllGuayabitos.com, AllLaPentia.com and AllChacala.com.

The Third Annual Jaltemba Bay Rotary Fundraiser

The third annual Jaltemba Bay Rotary fundraiser was held this last Saturday on the 21st of January, 2012 at Tonita III in La Penita. The festivities included the beautiful Mexican Tepozcalli dancers from Las Varas and live music for some dancing with Manuel and Son. A lovely chicken dinner was served that included any beverage of your choice.
There was also three different auction fundraisers, the Chinese Auction, the Silent Auction and a Live Auction, which made for a really fun time! Every year the Rotary Club members give out awards to the outstanding citizens in Jaltemba Bay.
This year there were four volunteer groups that were recognized and honored for their services to the community.
If you are interested in becoming a Rotary Member, the Rotary meetings are held every Wednesday at Pina Coladas at 8:00am in Guayabitos. I am very proud to be a Rotary member here in Mexico and help bring in changes that help the peoples and the community without changing their wonderful culture.

Whats up on the Guayabitos Strip Mall

The Guayabitos Strip Mall is located behind the Oxxo in Rincon de Guayabitos, and has a lot to offer!
Starting out with Beauty by Aurora. She has a full staff and offers hair shampoo, cut and style, hair coloring, highlights and hair attachments. Manicure the hands and pedicure the feet, change your polish or add gel nails. Waxing for legs, bikini lines, lips, eyebrows, underarms and back. Aurora offers a complete line of hair and skin care services. Come and visit Aurora….you deserve it!

Next in line is the Espresso Internet Cafe, where you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee or a tasty latte’ while you check your e-mail.

And, what is a day without a great workout? Come and work off ail of those extra holiday pounds at the Fitness Pad. The Fitness Pad has 20 fitness machines including treadmill, stationary bikes, a full kickboxing bag, adjustable 6-setting ab/crunch bench and a pull-up tower! There is also a entire free weight system with a professional trainer on staff. Dell also has some fun workout clothes as well as other fun things to wear out and about. She has some great specials as well.

Then its time to eat! One of the best places in Guayabitos to eat at is TeriYaki Time Restaurant. Yakisoba, chicken, beef or shrimp teriyaki, fried rice and a variety of pasta dishes are served daily made fresh to order. Try a large fresh salads for lunch or check out their daily breakfast specials. They also make a great Thai Iced Tea, and have a good selection of wine and beer.

Annual Amigos de Lo de Marcos Fundraiser

It s that time of year again, and the Amigos de Lo de Marcos is having their amazing annual fundraising event on the beautiful Riviera Nayarit in Lo de Marcos Mexico. It all starts on Friday, February 3rd, at 8:30am, with a town “Walkabout” with a guided tour of Lo de Marcos. The tour will visit sites where the Amigos of Lo de Marcos works with the town, and will also cover the water issues of Lo de Marcos. There is also the new town compost project which is a great success!

When the tour of Lo de Marcos is finished there will be breakfast served at the Lo de Marcos town square.
The following day on Saturday, Feb 4th the Silent Auction begins at 4:00pm, along with the huge rummage sale that you will not want to miss as well as freshly baked goodies for purchase. And what would a celebration and fundraiser be without ice cold beer and tasty margaritas? They will be served later in the evening form 7:00 to 10:00 pm. along with dancing to the Latin reggae sounds of two local bands, Mal Bichos, as well as some fun Salsa music with Rhythm Eleison. Come and support the town and peoples of Lo de Marcos!

The 2012 Pro Surfing Tournament

On January 12,13 and 14 the 2012 Pro Surfing Tournament in Arroyo Seco was amazing. Felipe Hernandez (left), age 21 from Sayulita, Nayarit took the first place for the Men’s Pro Category, as well Adan Hernandez, age 24 from Sayulita, taking 5th.
Edgar Rodrigues, age 14 from San Pancho took 4th place in the Sub 18 Category and Adan Hernandez (right) from Sayulita was presented a trophy by Artemio Rosas for “Arroyo Seco Pro 2012 Surfer of the Year”, recognizing his involvement in a large number of important international tournaments and his support for the surfing industry. It was really an amazing time and I loved covering the event, as all of the people I met were really cool and well as the fact tht surfing is a big thing in Mexico and all over the planet! The entertainment with DJ PIN, Christian Reggae by Majhave, and Christian Rap by 12 Clan was awesome and they all rocked the house.
I posted about 450 pics on the RivieraNayaritFun Picture Gallery as well! Enjoy!
You can read more about it on our town sites AllSayulita.com and AllSanPancho.com.
Here is a list of all of the winners below:

Sub 18 Catagory:

1st Place     Mario Farias, age 17 from Play Azul, Michoacan
2nd Place    Marcos Hootman, age 16 from Tecoman, Colima
3rd Place     Victor Alarcon, age 11 from Manzanillo, Colima
4th Place     Edgar Rodrizues, age 14 from San Pancho, Nayarit
5th Place     Edgar Juan Camarena, age 15 from Manzanillo, Colima

Mens Pro Catagory:

1st Place    Felipe Hernandez, age 21 from Sayulita, Nayarit
2nd Place   Martin Olea, age 23 from Barra de Navidad
3rd Place    Adrian Rodriquez, age 25 from Sayulita, Nayarit
4th Place    Raul Medina, age 30 from Playa Azul, Michoacan
5th Place    Adan Hernandez, age 24 from Sayulia, Nayarit

It was a terrific time, and I can’t wait for the next tournament. Congratulations to all of the contestants and winners.
There are so many different things to do here on the Riviera Nayarit. I really love living here all year long! Come enjoy the amazing flavors of the Riviera Nayarit in beautiful Mexico!

Come to the Riviera Nayarit for your Mexico Vacation and enjoy all of the diversity this region has to offer!

Sunsets on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico

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Oct 062011

Mexico Vacations and the Perfect Sunset

It is one of the things that we treasure with we go on our Mexico Vacation on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico, and that is a great sunset. It is something we all look forward to every evening with the beautiful celebrations of another wonderful day, celebrated by the amazing vibrant colors of a beautiful sunset.

Many folks walk the beach around sunset regularly, breathing in the fresh air on the beach and enjoying the evening color to relax at the end of the day. Some people come and sit in their beach chairs and sip on a tasty beverage as they watch the sun go down as the vibrant colors appear.

Most of the color happens after the sun falls down under the horizon. It is always an amazing view, and always a different color scheme every evening. Sometimes they are very purple. Here is one in Lo de Marcos in front of beachfront rental Villas del Rey with the Madonna on the beach, located on the Riviera Nayarit in beautiful Mexico. Amazing!

If you are like me and like a fabulous sunset, come on a Mexico Vacation on the Riviera Nayarit where you can enjoy some of the most amazing sunsets in the world.

Travels in Riviera Nayarit Vacation Paradise

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Oct 052011

Riviera Nayarit Vacation Paradise

One of the reasons why the Riviera Nayarit is such a great travel place is its wide selection of resort towns. Each one is special in its own unique way, so there’s a town that’s sure to appeal to everyone. As varied as each one may be, they all have two spectacular things in common: the surrounding natural wonders and cultural diversity.

This tropical paradise on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is one of the few remaining places in the world with an abundance of undeveloped nature – lush tropical rainforests, rolling hills and valleys, marshes and mangroves, exotic plants and animals, pristine gold beaches and the deep blue sea – thriving ecosystems full of biodiversity where nature conservation reigns.

The indigenous peoples who once flourished here, such as the Cora and Huichol tribes of Aztec descent knew this and continue to inhabit the region sharing their cultural traditions and handicrafts with locals and tourists. The region would not be as historically rich without them as witnessed by tourist attractions with archaeological sites of ancient ruins, such as the Altavista Petroglyphs, and other cultural tours.

With such variety in one place, travelers can try it all. Adventurers who prefer outdoor vacation activities may opt for surfing along the beaches of Sayulita, Chacala, and San Blas or zip lining across Monkey Mountain south of Sayulita on the road to Punta de Mita and Nuevo Vallarta, two luxury beach resorts with elegant accommodations. A more practical, down-to-earth option would be the midsized fishing town of La Penita de Jaltemba.

Nature lovers who prefer the ocean will find the best sailing, fishing, diving, and whale watching conditions near La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Bucerias. Some of the nicest swimming and snorkeling beaches are north in Los Ayala and Rincon de Guayabitos. Those who would rather have a more authentic Mexico vacation will adore the small towns of upscale San Pancho (San Francisco) and sleepy Lo de Marcos.

Reconnect with nature on your Travels to Vacation Paradise when you take a Mexico vacation in the Riviera Nayarit.

Undiscovered Central Riviera Nayarit

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Oct 032011

Uncover the Treasures of Central Riviera Nayarit

This lesser known but not to be neglected section of the Riviera Nayarit has much to be discovered and is probably best geared to adventure travelers seeking to explore the Pacific Coast of rural, historic Mexico. Some of these tourist attractions include archaeological sites of ancient Aztec ruins, such as the Altavista Petroglyphs near Chacala and other ruins in Las Varas.

While Central Riviera Nayarit is still a relatively undeveloped tourist area, some towns like Chacala and Platanitos are growing in popularity for their exotic nature and pristine beaches of all shapes, colors, and sizes that offer varying ocean conditions for different vacation activities. A hidden natural attraction near Platanitos is the lovely Laguna La Mataiza Lagoon that flourishes within a supportive ecotourism environment.

Other towns in the area are slightly inland along the lush tropical hills and valleys of the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains and rainforests, such as Zacualpan and Las Varas. Primarily agricultural towns with tropical fruit orchards, vegetable farms, and tobacco fields, they also feature some combined cultural and natural attractions like the caves of La Cueva de La Tigra containing ancient Indian cave drawings.

On your Mexico travels, explore the cultural treasures and natural wonders of Central Riviera Nayarit north of Bahia Jaltemba Bay along the Riviera Nayarit.

Helpful Tips on Tipping in Mexico

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Oct 012011

Seven Golden Rules of Mexico Tipping

A vacation on Mexico’s Pacific Coast can be a very indulging experience, especially if travelers view the concept of tipping for services in a different way. Foreigners usually view tips as a bonus – something extra that service professionals receive for taking really good care of us. In the Mexican tourism and hospitality industry, tips are typically the majority of employees’ income, since most only earn about $50 pesos (less than $4 USD) a day.

When you travel to towns along the Riviera Nayarit and receive that friendly, helpful Mexican hospitality, keep in mind that the service staff depend almost entirely on your tips as a source of their income – even at all-inclusive resorts. Although tourists may not be responsible for foreign business practices, we can have a positive influence on Mexican culture and individual lives by giving generous tips. Leaving good tips can also make the difference between an acceptable versus an extraordinary vacation.

1. Currency Type

While Mexicans will accept foreign currency, they must pay exchange rate costs, so in most cases, the tip they ultimately receive is lower than the tip provided. If you decide to leave a tip in foreign currency, leave only paper bills since coins cannot be exchanged. Note: A benefit of paying for items in Mexican pesos is getting the lower purchase price.

2. Taxi Drivers

Taxi cab services in Mexico typically include a tip as part of their established rates, so tipping drivers is not expected on standard trips. If the taxi driver ‘goes the extra mile’ by helping you load and unload bags or by waiting for you at a destination, then leaving an extra tip is appropriate.

3. Bell Boys & Baggage Handlers

Depending on the number, size, and weight of your bags and the room location (i.e., up or down a flight of stairs), a tip of $10 to $20 pesos per bag is customary. Larger tips are recommended for heavier loads or repeat trips to collect and deliver your luggage.

4. Room Housekeeping

Each time a housekeeper cleans your room, a tip of $20 to $60 pesos per occupant is recommended. If you leave the hotel room in an unusually messy condition, giving a higher amount is appropriate since it takes them longer to clean the room.

5. Waiters, Bartenders & Spa Services

A customary tip for spa technicians, restaurant servers and bartenders is 15% to 20% of the total cost if the tip is not already included on the bill. Tipping $10 to $20 pesos for one round of drinks is acceptable, but when running a bar tab, a tip of 15% to 20% is customary. Note: Base your tips for drinks on the full price instead of a discounted price.

6. Tour Guides & Boat Crew

Sailing cruises; yacht charters; fishing, snorkeling, diving tours, and other organized vacation activities follow the same 15% to 20% tipping scale of the overall fee and are offered to the guide or captain (not a crew member) at the end of the tour. For charter boats and yachts, a tipping alternative is to leave $500 pesos for the captain and $250 pesos for each crew member.

7. Gas Attendants & Store Baggers

Since there are no self-service gas stations in Mexico, and store baggers work only for tips, tipping between $5 to $20 pesos is customary. If the station attendant or bagger provides additional services, such as checking under the car hood, washing car windows, adjusting tire pressure, bagging many products, taking the cart to your car, loading and unloading bags, then tipping at the higher rate is recommended.

For a truly rewarding Mexico vacation in the Riviera Nayarit, apply these Helpful Tips on Tipping in Mexico.

Bountiful Beach Bays of Riviera Nayarit

Attractions, Pueblos No Responses »

Sep 272011

Cruise the Beach Bays of Riviera Nayarit

If you enjoy all that goes with vacationing or living near the ocean, then Mexico’s Pacific Coast is the place for you. Coined the Mexican Riviera, it spans kilometer after kilometer (mile after mile) of dazzling gold beaches framed by beach bays and coves of all shapes and sizes suited to all kinds of activities.

While there are hundreds of bays on the Pacific Ocean, some of the most dynamic are located in the tropical paradise of the Riviera Nayarit, part of the Mexican Riviera. Mother Nature has bestowed each of these beach bays with varying ocean conditions that match certain water sports and beach activities better than others.

Among them is Bahia Banderas Bay, the largest natural bay in Mexico and one of the ten largest in the world. This vibrant bay is teeming with tropical fish and sea life that live among underwater rocks, caves, and coral reefs, making it wonderful for snorkeling, diving, whale watching, and sea turtle sightings. Other towns along the bay provide the best conditions for sailing, sport fishing, kiteboarding, and surfing.

Slightly further north are the more authentic Mexican beach towns of Bahia Jaltemba Bay. Home to some breathtaking long beaches and smaller beach coves with island views. Portions of this bay have calm, clear, aqua sea water and soft, light, gold sand beaches, which are ideal for snorkeling, fishing, swimming, and beach sports. One of the towns holds the largest open-air market (tianguis) in the region once a week.

Continuing north beyond this bay and the town of Chacala are the natural wonders of Bahia Matanchen Bay. The towns and beaches along this bay harbor incredible biodiversity, such as marshes, mangroves, jungles, rivers, beaches, wildlife, and historical sites making it ideal for sightseeing, birding, boat tours, and conservation. Its beaches are known to have some of the best waves in the region for surfing.

Uncover the hidden treasures of the Riviera Nayarit through its bountiful bays on your next Mexico vacation.

Shop Tianguis in La Penita de Jaltemba

Jaltemba Bay, Play No Responses »

Sep 202011

Tianguis Outdoor Market in La Penita

For the first time, we had the pleasure of visiting ‘tianguis’ in La Penita de Jaltemba, and what a pleasure it was! Tianguis (pronounced tee-ang-gees) is Mexico’s version of a swap meet or flea market but offers more than just practical items, including fun things like bright green river turtles, colorful fish and birds, genuine and costume jewelry, new clothes and shoes, Mexican arts and crafts, and of course, all kinds of fresh foods and snacks. After all, it wouldn’t be Mexico without the tasty treats!

Practical La Penita

La Penita de Jaltemba is a rustic beach town along the Riviera Nayarit, a recently designated tourist region that consists of beautiful undeveloped beaches and charming beach towns, framed by tropical rainforests and the rolling hillsides of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. Just about 30 minutes north of Sayulita and 30 minutes south of Chacala, La Penita (as it is called) rests along peaceful Bahia Jaltemba Bay on the Pacific Ocean and is one of many beautiful beach coves in the region.

Being an authentic Mexican town that provides practical services for its residents and neighboring communities, it’s less of a traditional tourist town with all the bells and whistles but still welcomes and accommodates travelers from all over the world, and the Tianguis in La Penita is well known. As the largest recurring outdoor market in the Riviera Nayarit, it’s the most popular open-air market in the region drawing locals and vacationers from the south beyond Nuevo Vallarta and the north beyond San Blas.

Tianguis Market Details

Along with the warm, friendly people of La Penita, the tianguis is an enjoyable few hours of shopping, socializing, snacking, and listening to live music. Running from 7:00 or 8:00 a.m.-ish to 1:00 or 2:00 p.m.-ish, the entrance of the market starts at the lovely, tree-lined town square (zócalo) extending south and paralleling the beach. Vendors line both sides of the long cobblestone street with colorful umbrellas and tarps, offering much-welcome shade from the sunshine, while smiling at visitors who admire their wares.

With high season (November through April) right around the corner, the vendors are gearing up to provide all kinds of special traditional items, such as authentic handmade pottery, woven baskets and hammocks, wool rugs and blankets, leather and beaded items, painted woodcrafts, hand-embroidered clothes and purses, Huichol Indian art, organic Nayarit coffee, and even the basics like eyeglasses and sunglasses, vitamins and herbs, pots and pans, glassware, and cleaning supplies.

During the winter months, there are twice as many items available, so La Penita Tianguis is a great place to shop!

Shop at the La Penita Tianguis every Thursday morning in La Penita de Jaltemba along the beautiful Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.

Five Great Snorkeling Beaches in Nayarit

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Sep 142011

Nayarit Snorkeling Beaches

The Riviera Nayarit may be a relatively undeveloped tourist region, but it is booming with tropical nature and exotic wildlife and is starting to catch on as a popular travel place. Located along the Pacific Ocean, the Mexican state of Nayarit is said to have some of the best snorkeling in western Mexico according to History.com.

Although not yet well studied, the Mexican Pacific coral reef along the Nayarit coastline draws abundant sea life. The ocean water in this region is relatively warm and rich in nutrients, so large varieties of tropical fish flourish here, including manta rays, eagle rays, moray eels, puffer fish, needlefish, king angelfish, jack fish, damselfish, Moorish Idol fish, starfish, seahorses, octopuses, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and more.

The coral reefs of southern Nayarit (Riviera Nayarit) that attract these fish are all one type of reef: narrow fringing reefs. These fringing reefs are dense, well-developed frameworks, measuring up to nearly 20-feet (6-meters) thick. Fringing reefs are the most common reef type (the other types are barrier and atoll) and are found near the shore in shallow water. This is great for snorkelers, since the fish swim closer to the shore.

These conditions make for some pretty terrific snorkeling. While there are many beautiful beaches along Bahi Banderas Bay, Bahia Jaltemba Bay, and Bahia Matanchen Bay of the Riviera Nayarit, here are five wonderful snorkeling beaches with fascinating underwater worlds.

Playa El Anclote

El Anclote Beach is a lovely beach with rock jetties near Punta de Mita. Fabulous snorkeling tours to The Marietas Islands Marine Reserve with its unusual reef formations, such as with lava tubes and caves, are available from this beach.

Playa Chacalilla

Chacalilla Beach is a small beach with clear, aqua-colored water just north of Chacala.

Playa Los Ayala

Los Ayala Beach is a fairly long beach with clear, aqua-colored water just south of Rincon de Guayabitos in Bahia Jaltemba Bay.

Playa de los Muertos

Los Muertos Beach is protected by large rocks on both sides and has calm, clear water just south of Sayulita. Beyond the rocks to the south is the tiny beach of Punta Las Cargadas near four rock islands, which is also a good snorkeling spot.

Playa Gemelas

Gemelas Beach is a pair of twin beaches south of Bucerias and Nuevo Vallarta with clear water and rock formations near Los Arcos National Marine Park.

Discover the vibrant underwater world of Mexico’s Pacific Ocean at great snorkeling beaches in charming Mexican towns along the Riviera Nayarit.

Breathtaking Sunset Sailing Trip from Sayulita

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Sep 072011

Sayulita Sunset Sailing Cruise

Pulling into the Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, just 15 minutes from Sayulita, we walk up the first dock on the right to a 50-foot schooner – more accurately, a traditional trimaran – that reminds of days of old when pirates would sail the seven seas. It’s as long as its sails are tall and has a cabin (main salon) lined with rare Rangoon teak wood panels, uncustomary on those modern fiberglass boats.

Two steps lead up to the boat and a hand reaches out to help us aboard. Looking up, I’m greeted politely by a thin, gray-haired man with a strong handshake, welcoming us to his pride and joy: Sayula 1, the first boat ever to operate out of Sayulita. He’s a bit rough around the edges, and I imagine him wearing a black patch over one eye with a yellow sash around his waist and a long sword at his side. Could he be a pirate? This man of the sea is an original with 25 years’ experience sailing the ocean blue.

Sail Away

Once we’re all aboard, a low rumble breaks the sound of rolling waters, and we begin to glide back from the dock as if floating on air. Passing more contemporary boats in the marina on our way out to sea, feeling the soft sway of the boat and smelling the fresh ocean air, we sense the history of this sailing trimaran and realize we have stepped aboard a legend. Before long, the marina is behind us and the wide Pacific Ocean draws us in.

Port side (on the left), we begin to pass colorful buildings of all shapes and sizes in the towns that line Bahia Banderas Bay on the Pacific coast of Riviera Nayarit; behind us, San Pancho, then Sayulita, Bucerias, Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta and finally the open sea. Starboard side (on the right), we ride near the land, passing Punta de Mita in the distance and the rolling hills of tropical rainforests in varying shades of green peppered by rock barriers that extend into the ocean.

Breathtaking.

Sailing On…

The land begins to fade in the distance as the ocean grows wider and the rolling waves draw us out. With the wind in our sails, we follow the distant shadow of the land and continue starboard when rounding a bend north of La Cruz, a lovely beach cove opens up to a small gold beach where seagulls and pelicans perch on rock beds welcoming us. Anchoring the boat a short distance from shore, we swim to the beach and relax awhile having this slice of heaven all to ourselves.

If only we could stay here forever, but alas, we are hailed back to deck and climb aboard to enjoy some snacks, drinks, music, and friendly conversation. We float for a while and then head back in the direction we came, spotting a dead sea turtle along the way: a tragic loss to nature. We mutter sadly about her death and are quiet for a time as we journey back to the marina. The ride is calm and smooth as the sun sets on a lovely Nayarit day. Hues of red, orange, yellow, and purple fade into gray as we say good-bye – for now.

Take a boat tour aboard a traditional trimaran for a Sunset Sailing Trip from Sayulita, Mexico, in the Riviera Nayarit.

Saving Sea Turtles in Trouble

San Pancho 1 Response »

Sep 032011

- By Desiree Bilon

Endangered Sea Turtles

Although Olive Ridley might sound like the name of a children’s storybook character, it is the actually the name of a species of sea turtle in trouble. The Olive Ridley takes it name from the grey-green color of its heart-shaped shell. Even though this is one of the most abundant species of turtles in the world, it is still considered an endangered species on the Pacific coast of Mexico where the Riviera Nayarit is located.

The second smallest of the sea turtles, after the Kemp Ridley, Olive Ridleys weigh between 75-100 pounds (34 – 45 kg) and reach 2-2 ½ feet (0.6-0.75 m) in length. Mostly omnivorous, this turtle lives off a diet of crabs, jellyfish, lobster, and shrimp. Commercial fishing, loss of nesting habitat, and climate change are among the human-induced threats to turtle population levels worldwide.

The Olive Ridley has a number of natural predators. In San Francisco (San Pancho), a small town one hour north of Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific coast, the domestic dog is the largest predator, digging up turtle eggs. Human poachers are also known to gather turtle eggs while the female is depositing them into the sand, only later to resell the eggs – considered an aphrodisiac in Mexico. If the eggs do remain in the sand, fly larvae pose the greatest threat to the nests. Once the turtles have hatched, ghost crabs become the new predators, going after the baby turtles and tucking them into their sand holes.

Sea Turtle Rescue

Frank Smith, a US expatriate, who has dedicated his life to turtle conservation, founded the Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C. in 1992. The “group” built the first marine nursery in San Pancho, Nayarit to help increase turtle numbers. Sea turtles, even though diminished in population, play a key role in oceanic ecosystems. They are vital in maintaining healthy sea grass beds and coral reef, which provide habitat for other marine life; help balance marine food webs; and help facilitate nutrient cycling from water to land.

Frank stays up every night until 4:00 am and then sleeps until noon. From the end of June until mid-November, he is out collecting nests. Two teams, 3-4 people each, take turns searching for nests. One team goes from 10:00 pm until 1:00 am and the next team goes from 1:00 am to 6:00 am. They look for turtle tracks in the sand, approximately 2-feet wide (about 0.6 meters wide), and then follow them up to the nest sites. Once the female has finished depositing her eggs, and leaves, the team retrieves the nest.

Sea Turtle Nurseries

Two types of nurseries are used in San Pancho. One is the beach nursery where eggs are buried into a fenced off area in the sand, simulating a more natural habitat. The second is the “box” nursery. By replicating commercial hatcheries, carefully selected sand is placed into a styrofoam box and kept in a semi-heated room. The eggs are placed into the sand in neat rows, as opposed to a bunch of eggs dumped into a hole. Survival rates in the box nursery are successful, around 89%.

Due to lack of space, not all the eggs can be kept in the box nursery at the same time and some have to stay on the beach. While susceptible to attacks from dogs and fly larva in the egg stage, artificial lights pose a problem for the new hatchlings, born after 45 days.

“When they emerge to the surface, they look for the bio and chemical luminescence of the waves to guide them – it’s like a flash of lightening for them. Artificial light behind the beach attracts the newborn turtles and they head up the beach in the wrong direction. When the sun comes up it kills them within an hour.” Frank explains and urges people on the beachfront to turn their lights off.

You might see Frank on the beach, driving his dune buggy along the sand at sunset with passengers, the baby turtles.

“We only release 60 hatchlings in one spot. Then we go 400 feet down the beach and release another 60. We don’t release any in the same spot for a week to avoid fish predators,” Frank assures me.

Over the past 20 years, with the help of Grupo Ecológico, the Olive Ridley population in San Pancho has increased from 200 to 1,170 nests.

For more information about visiting or volunteering, visit Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C.

Join the special residents of San Pancho on their mission for Saving Sea Turtles in Trouble in the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.

[Photos courtesy of Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde.]

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