The Sea Turtles forms and lifecycle have gone mostly unchanged for millions of years, but are now quickly disappearing, with some turtle populations now seeing up to a 90% decline in recent decades. Increased human development, ocean pollution, indiscriminate fishing practices and hunting have all contributed to the diminishing Sea Turtle population.

Here in Costa Rica, 4 of the 7 existing species of Sea Turtles are found on our coasts, and helping save these turtles is one of the most important ways you can contribute to saving our environment, and also these majestic creatures.

Eco Travel is becoming more and more popular, and with Costa Rica hosting such a high percentage of the earth’s biodiversity, and also ranking high in environmental awareness and protection laws, it is the perfect place to lend a helping hand.

The Olive Ridley turtles arrive in the area around June, and continue to lay their eggs through December. Though this process, local volunteers, Costa Rica’s environmental protection agency, Mináe, visiting volunteers and the two leading environmental organizations Earthwatch Institute and Ocean Conservancy work to insure the continuance of the sea turtle.

Through the night the beaches are carefully patrolled, as not to disturb the natural process of the turtles. Once the turtles lye their eggs and return to the sea, it’s eggs are carefully gathered and taken to a controlled environment where they are left to hatch. One important step in the volunteer process is to create this area, which simulates the natural hatching process, and where the eggs can safely be placed until they are ready to hatch.

Once hatched, also with the help of volunteers, the babies are brought to the beach to begin their ascent to the sea. The turtles must make their way from the sandy beach to the ocean on their own, though they are watched over closely by the volunteers. As the babies walk to the sea they are learning the scent of the beach, so that they will know where to arrive a year later to lay their own eggs and continue the process and evolution of their species. (In that year the turtles sometimes travel as far as China, only to return a year later to the exact beach they were born!)

To see this birthing and process for yourself is truly amazing. It is the most beautiful and rewarding experience I have had since moving to Costa Rica.

Plus, we all want to see the world, but contributing to its well being in your travels is one of the most important things we as humans can do.