Protect sea turtles in Chacahua, Mexico. Live in an Afro-Mexican atmosphere and join a project to protect sea turtles from poaching. All turtle protection programs here.
Protecting sea turtles in Chacahua, Mexico
The partner association supports sustainable development and biodiversity conservation initiatives in the Oaxaca region of Mexico. It works with local communities, helping to :
- Conservation of wild species ;
- The development of environmental workshops for children or English courses;
- Planting trees in private and public areas;
- Beach clean-ups;
- Promoting ecotourism.
Tartarakus supports development projects linked to ecotourism, and works with local communities to protect species such as sea turtles and crocodiles...
Tartarakus supports three sea turtle protection projects that welcome volunteers, including one in Chacahua, with an Afro-Mexican community.
You will join the team that protects sea turtles and their nests from poaching, by keeping the eggs in hatcheries until they hatch.
Night patrols, nest surveillance...
You will join a project to protect sea turtles from poaching in Chacahua, Mexico. Together with the local community, you'll take part in various activities: beach patrols, turtle nest monitoring in the nursery, beach litter collection, tree planting, data recording, etc.
An example of an ecovolunteer's day. Note that the tasks to be carried out vary according to the climate and the needs of the moment.
- 7 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.: Checking hatchlings in the hatchery with the local guide.
- 8am - 9am: breakfast
- 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Various tasks may be entrusted to you: supporting the local team in the hatchery by cleaning and recording data, environmental education workshops, beautification projects.
- 12 h - 16 h: lunch and free time.17 h - 19 h: various tasks may be entrusted to you: helping to release baby turtles, raising environmental awareness with tourists, cleaning beaches, maintaining a clean area for turtle nesting, tree planting...
- 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.: dinner
- 10 pm - 3 am or 3 am - 6 am: night patrols. You'll patrol the beach to spot nesting turtles, count the eggs in the nests, accompany the manager in collecting and placing the nests in the nursery, record the data and dig the holes where the nests will be placed in the nursery.
Dates
- October 15, 2025 to April 15, 2025
- Arrival every Monday
- From 1 to 12 weeks
Rates
- One week €724
Included in price
- Project coordination
- Airport pick-up
- Program and safety orientation
- Camping tent + air mattress + sheets
- (room supplement +€70/week)
- Breakfast and dinner, 5 days/week
- One additional activity included per week: surfing lessons, bioluminescence tour at night in the lagoon, ecotour by lagoon boat or kayak.
- Public and private transport to/from all activities
- Official volunteer certificate
- WiFi
- 24/7 emergency contact number (underwritten by Tartarukus)
Not included in price
- Domestic and international flights
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Weekend transport and meals
- Special drinks or snacks
- Back to the airport
- You will live by the beach (swimming possible) in a place not very touristic, but known by surfers;
- You will be involved in a community project to protect sea turtles;
- This stay includes one activity per week: a surfing lesson, a tour to see the bioluminiscence in the water at night or a day with a beekeeping project in Chacahua National Park ;
- In winter, it's possible to see leatherback turtles, the largest turtles in the world!
- You'll experience the atmosphere of an Afromexican community.
- Individual travellers over 18 ;
- Families with children over 8 ;
- You need to be open-minded and flexible to changes in itinerary due to social or climatic causes;
- Between 1 and 12 weeks ;
- English: average level.
Food
Mainly vegetarian and Mexican. If required, menus can be adapted to cater for intolerances and allergies. Meat is served as a supplement to certain meals.
Housing
Camping tent + air mattress + sheets
(supplement +70€/week for the room)
Arrival
Pick-up at Puerto Escondido airport before 4pm on Monday.
What to bring
- A backpack instead of a suitcase and a small daypack;
- Comfortable warm-weather clothing;
- During sunset, you'll need loose-fitting pants that cover the legs to avoid using repellents, as well as long-sleeved shirts. A cap or hat;
- A sweatshirt for night patrols. November to February;
- A waterproof jacket if you travel from June to October;
- Comfortable footwear: sneakers or boots for walking in the forest, sandals, as well as flip-flops for the shower;
- Towel and hygiene products: shampoo, body soap... the team recommends solid products that are as natural as possible;
- Swimsuit (long-sleeved to avoid sunscreen in the water), goggles.
- For mosquitoes, the team recommends essential oils: citronella, lemon eucalyptus, etc. instead of chemical repellents. (Nothing works 100% there, so travel with loose-fitting clothing that covers your body);
- A small first-aid kit for your special needs;
- Earplugs and light sheet for camping;
- Gourd! Please, let's avoid plastic.
- Discover Chacahua National Park
- Take a surf lesson (the area is renowned for its surfing)
- Watch bioluminescence in the water at night
All reviews of Tartarukus missions
About the partner association
Tartarukus is a Spanish non-profit organization that supports local communities working to preserve the environment and develop ecotourism, in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Tartarakus was created in 2021 by Beatriz, who after several years spent on the Oaxaca coast as a student and volunteer, wanted to strengthen the local population's impact on sustainable development. The association offers a range of volunteer experiences in the less-visited areas of the Oaxaca coast. All Tartarukus missions
