Turtle Release Escobilla Sanctuary and crocs in Ventanilla.
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 54 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Turtle Release Escobilla Sanctuary and crocs in Ventanilla. worth booking?
Turtle Release Escobilla Sanctuary and crocs in Ventanilla. is a 6-hour experience in Huatulco, Mexico, from $42 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 54 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (54)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $42 per person
Ecotourism allows the relationship between the community and visitors to be equal to share and discover natural resources, if you reserve this excursion will support the conservation of these natural areas and the local
What you get
- Bilingual guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
About this experience
Ecotourism allows the relationship between the community and visitors to be equal to share and discover natural resources, if you reserve this excursion will support the conservation of these natural areas and the local community.
What's included
Included
- Bilingual guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Bottled water
- Entrance fees
- Admission fees
What you'll see and do
Santuario La Escobilla
La Escobilla es “El Santuario de las Tortugas” debido a la gran cantidad de tortugas que arriban a esta costa oaxaqueña, durante todo el año; es el centro de anidación de tortuga marina más importante de México desde el punto de vista numérico y uno de los más importantes a nivel mundial. Esta playa mide aproximadamente 25 kilómetros de extensión y se ubica en el municipio de Santa María Tonameca, Oaxaca
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Laguna Ventanilla
Debemos considerar que tanto los manglares como las selvas son los ecosistemas más complejos y productivos del planeta. Aquí anidan y viven diferentes especies de reptiles y aves, tales como el pájaro carpintero, martín pescador, pato buzo y una inmensa variedad de garzas, cocodrilos e iguanas, muchas de ellas en peligro de extinción. Además de ser grandes productores primarios de energía y oxígeno, los manglares contribuyen a la ecología global al evitar la erosión en la línea costera, facilitando así la formación de suelo y el establecimiento de la vegetación; además, ayuda a regular las fluctuaciones de temperatura y humedad, proveyendo hábitat a una gran variedad de vida terrestre y acuática.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 20 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Paraíso Huatulco
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Bring hat, sunblock, repellent, sunglasses, bottle of water, sand shoes and cash.
- Please note: From August to early November, turtle sightings are rare as it's outside nesting season. While we maintain our conservation efforts year-round, releases during these months depend entirely on wild turtle arrivals—nature's schedule!
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 54 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
54 verified traveler reviews for Turtle Release Escobilla Sanctuary and crocs in Ventanilla.. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Turtle Release
We had an absolutely wonderful time on this tour! Our guide, Archy, was knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about the local wildlife and ecosystem, making the experience both fun and educational for the whole family. We got to see crocodiles, iguanas, birds, and deer along the way, which was a great start to the adventure. The highlight, though, was watching sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, and then getting to release baby turtles into the ocean ourselves — an absolutely unforgettable and moving experience. Archy made sure everyone felt safe while still getting great views and photo opportunities, and his storytelling and local knowledge added so much richness to the excursion. We’d highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area — it was easily one of the best parts of our vacation!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re delighted to hear that Archy made the tour both fun and educational, and that the turtle release was such a memorable highlight for your family. We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation! — The Paraiso Huatulco Team
via Tripadvisor
Turtle release is a must-do
While the ecotourism location was a 1.5 hour drive from Huatulco it was worth the time on the road. The boat ride on the lagoon to see the crocs was exciting and we had an up close encounter with a couple of them. It wasn’t just the kids on the boat who were excited! I have snorkelled many times with turtles in Hawaii and even have a tattoo of one, inked in Maui. Because of this affinity with them, releasing the baby turtles at sunset on Ventamilla beach was a highlight for me. Everyone is given their own turtle to release into the ocean. Our guide from Paraiso Huatulco was awesome and took care of us extremely well. I highly recommend this tour. Come prepared for a long, hot day (stay hydrated) and enjoy supporting this wildlife sanctuary.
Response from the operator: Hola Patty, Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We’re thrilled the turtle release was such a meaningful highlight for you. It’s great you enjoyed the lagoon adventure and close encounters with crocodiles as well. Paraiso Huatulco is also part of the “Human–Crocodile Coexistence” committee, supporting responsible coexistence and conservation efforts. We truly appreciate your recommendation! — The Paraiso Huatulco Team
via Tripadvisor
A day with the crocs and the turtles
It's a long ride out to the croc and turtle sanctuary. Our driver, who was very knowledgeable we learned later, did not speak to the 7 of us in the vehicle on the way in and back. Be prepared for about 1.5 h each way, with some of the highway a dirt road. The crocs and the island sanctuary were really well done. We saw many crocs, fed mule deers and saw the most delightful spider monkey named Yupi who lived alone in his enclosure and who desperately could use a friend. He seemed starved for social contact. The turtle release was on Ventimillia Beach. There was a covered area on the beach where eggs are hatched. We released baby turtles and watched them struggle to get to the water. Be prepared that the seabirds are hungry and we were very shocked when one turtle was swooped up and carried away. Prepare your young kids for the potential sight. Our grandson was quite traumatized by it. Overall, we were glad we went. Victor our driver was very friendly and did a great job answering our questions. Be aware that the trip cost does not include the admission prices for both sanctuaries which were 550MX per person.
Response from the operator: Thank you, Liana, for sharing your detailed experience. We sincerely apologize for the long ride and road conditions. The new highway construction in the region means there are currently many roadworks, which can make the journey longer and less comfortable than usual. Regarding the turtle release, we understand how shocking it can be to witness a seabird taking a baby turtle. While difficult to see, it is part of the natural cycle. In the wild, only about 3% of hatchlings reach adulthood. Conservation camps like La Ventanilla help protect nests and significantly improve their chances of survival. We truly appreciate your kind words about Victor and are glad you enjoyed the crocodiles and overall experience. The Paraiso Huatulco Team
via Viator
Subpar customer service. Not trustworthy
I canceled my tour the night before and requested a credit for future use. They not only denied this but kept all my money. I tried to talk to them and they were very rude. The customer service is subpar. Operating as this people do is bad business practice. I don’t recommend and or support a business with such low ethical and professional standards.
Response from the operator: Hello Maria, First of all, we sincerely hope you are feeling much better. We are sorry to hear about the situation you shared with us. We understand that falling ill before a trip is unexpected and beyond a traveler’s control, and we appreciate you informing us. According to the cancellation policies established by the Viator platform — which are accepted at the time of booking — in order to receive a refund or make changes, the experience must be canceled at least 24 hours in advance. When a cancellation is made less than 24 hours before the scheduled time, the platform does not allow refunds or rescheduling. Additionally, in exceptional cases due to health reasons, our protocol allows us to consider alternatives only when a medical certificate is provided to support the situation; however, in this instance, we were unable to receive such documentation. Throughout the entire process, our team remained in communication with you to provide clear information and assistance within the guidelines established by the platform and our operational policies. We appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue strengthening our processes and improving our visitors’ experience.
via Tripadvisor
Disappointed and disgusted with SCAM
Terrible!!! This trip was for my 10 year old autistic Son whom loves turtles and crocodiles, we were all excited to learn more about the sanctuary and the animals, I was sent a message to meet at the lobby for 1:30 and when the tour bus didn’t show up, I contacted the tour company and the lady informed me that we were supposed to be in the lobby for 1:00, I was sent a message in the morning to be there for 1:30. Then she informed me that there was no other tours and that it was my fault I argued that was not true and she HUNG UP on me, we spoke to the resort’s concierge and he kindly called to speak to the company regarding our situation and that same lady hung up on him!! I put a complaint in with Trip Advisor and within half an hour, I was sent an email saying I would not get a refund after a thorough investigation I was not going to get a refund because the tour company didn’t approve the refund?!?! What a SCAM - my first experience with Trip Advisor and I will NEVER again book with them
Response from the operator: Dear Michelle, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear about the frustration you experienced and regret that this situation affected your expectations for the tour. We would like to clarify that the message sent to you confirmed a 1:00 PM pickup time, and our transportation arrived accordingly. Pickup schedules can be flexible, as we collect guests from several hotels along the route. Unfortunately, on this occasion we were unable to wait beyond the scheduled time. That said, we understand how disappointing this must have been, especially given the importance of the experience for your family. We did our best to offer an alternative, and we’re glad you were able to take the excursion the following day as planned. We value all feedback and will continue working to ensure our communication is as clear and supportive as possible. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. The Paraiso Huatulco Team
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 4+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 19
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Turtle Release Escobilla Sanctuary and crocs in Ventanilla.: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Huatulco.
How much does Turtle Release Escobilla Sanctuary and crocs in Ventanilla. cost?
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Prices start at $42 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Huatulco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Turtle Release Escobilla Sanctuary and crocs in Ventanilla. take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Huatulco is not rushed.
Is Turtle Release Escobilla Sanctuary and crocs in Ventanilla. worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 54 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Huatulco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Turtle Release Escobilla Sanctuary and crocs in Ventanilla.?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Turtle Release Escobilla Sanctuary and crocs in Ventanilla. suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 4. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 6-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Turtle Release Escobilla Sanctuary and crocs in Ventanilla.?
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Around 19 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Huatulco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Huatulco and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Turtle Release Escobilla Sanctuary and crocs in Ventanilla. start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Huatulco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Huatulco?
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On Outty we rank every Huatulco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Tour to Copalitilla Magical Waterfalls from Huatulco with admission included, Huatulco Ocean Eco Adventures, Huatulco: Waterfalls, Zipline & Oaxacan Food. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Huatulco?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Huatulco?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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