Turtles...Worth it?

[Cozoholic]

Going to coz in August - understand on the east side during the summer months the turtles nest...Didn't plan on renting a car this trip, is it worth seeing?

 

[ggunn]

Going to coz in August - understand on the east side during the summer months the turtles nest...Didn't plan on renting a car this trip, is it worth seeing?

There is nothing to see. If there are turtles ashore, the Mexican military won't let you anywhere near where they are. It's usually at night when they come ashore, anyway.

But the east side is definitely worth going to see in any case.

 

[Cozoholic]

There is nothing to see. If there are turtles ashore, the Mexican military won't let you anywhere near where they are. It's usually at night when they come ashore, anyway.

But the east side is definitely worth going to see in any case.

this is actually our second trip this year - we werent planning on going over there this time around - did it in march...

I read somewhere that you can help them with the turtles..

 

[GPdiver]

You can see the fliper tracks going back into the water and the pit they dug to lay eggs the next morning.
I was amazed at how many pits there were just past ChenRio.
Tried to go over at night around 10 pm got as far as Mescalito's and the Military was patroling with truck's with troops and machine guns.
Decided not good idea.

 

[Swarth]

Well this is not Coz, but it is close. Over in Akumal they have night time guided turtle walks. The CEA http://www.ceakumal.org/ sponsors this as an educational program to protect nesting turtles from being harassed. The nests are then marked or moved if necessary.

 

[transman]

From what I understand. You must go through the museum to do this. Very touchy subject with the Military there. They protect the nest sites at night. No one needs to see a M-16 in your face,becuse that is what they will do.

 

[Christi]

this is actually our second trip this year - we werent planning on going over there this time around - did it in march...

I read somewhere that you can help them with the turtles..

Sheri of Cozumel Insider is an expert on the Turtle hatchings. She used to (and may still) head up a team of volunteers that would dig up the eggs and supervise hatchings, etc.

They did not used t allow tourists, but I have jeard that you can go as a museum guest, but of course you have to make reservations.

Contact Sherri at www.cozumelinsider.com if you are interested in more expert/accurate information.

They are soooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute though! I think it's worth it if you get the opportunity...but make sure you have PLENTY of bug spray on you!

 

[Cozoholic]

From what I understand. You must go through the museum to do this. Very touchy subject with the Military there. They protect the nest sites at night. No one needs to see a M-16 in your face,becuse that is what they will do.

..why all the protection? Do people eat them? Endangerd species? I couldnt imagine people just digging up the nests 'for the fun of it'....??

 

[lord1234]

endangered species....considered sort of like a Mexican National Treasure...

 

[Cozoholic]

The indigenous Mayan population of Cozumel has enjoyed consuming turtle meat and turtle eggs as part of their diet for hundreds of years. Being large, clumsy animals that are easily captured while nesting, white sea turtle meat became a staple part of every Mayan family's food supply. The meat is cooked and plated or prepared in a soup while the eggs are a favorite among drinkers at local cantinas. Myth has it that consuming the raw turtle eggs will improve a man's virility.



...from cozumel insider..