The Turtle Release at Bacocho Beach was one of my favorite things that I did during my short stay in Puerto Escondido. It is basically a non-profit that works to ensure the longevity of the sea turtle by providing a safe hatching area for turtles and releasing them into the ocean. It is done in a way that provides tourists with an experience and also raises money for the centre. Basically, every night around 5PM, tourists flock to Bacocho Beach and line up to be a part of the turtle release, I understand that some guests come multiple nights in a row. For a small fee (that becomes a donation for this charity) and without a need for any reservations, anyone can show up to be a part of the turtle release. Volunteers who work at the centre give a short speech about turtles in both English and Spanish. The talk about how turtles travel, the potential for a long lifespan, but also about the fact that very few newborn turtles actually make it to adulthood. They include lots of fun facts about turtles. We are then each given a baby turtle in a small coconut bowl. We slowly tip the bowl into the sand and let the turtle crawl out. They then slide down a sandy slope until they get washed away into the ocean on their way to their new life. Sadly, a seagull flew down and found its snack, ending the life of one of the baby turtles... which apparently happens pretty regularly. Anyway, my little turtle made it into the ocean... Go Giovanni....Go!! read more