Cuyutlan Turtle Sanctuary at Manzanillo

nklpikl · #1 October 27th, 2009, 08:23 PM

I have seen private and ship excursions to the Cuyutlan Turtle Sancuary. We are going to be in Manzanillo on Thanksgiving. My youngest daughter is 8 and is a turtle lover!

I really do not see much feedback on this and am really looking for feedback and opinions.

1. Will she get to be up close to the turtles.
2. Will children find this interesting
3. If you have done it, did you feel it was worth the cost
4. Does the time of day or time of year effect the experience

and any other info is greatly appreciated!

mandelynn1 · #2 October 28th, 2009, 04:12 PM

I have seen a similar trip in grand cayman and it was really mediocre. So when we took this cruise I refused to do this tour w/ my husband. Well, we watched the videos from the various exucrsions and it looked amazing! I still have never lived it down (it's been 5 years). The group set little baby sea turtles free in the ocean and it looked like they had a blast. You'd have to hear from someone who actually did it, but it looked amazing from what they showed that night.

kgarroutte · #3 October 29th, 2009, 12:58 AM

We are doing this through chimaltours. Paco is the organizer. We have read reviews of other tours that chimaltours has done (recent) and the have been great. My daughter (16) is a turtle lover too (owns 3). We are looking very forward to this. Through chimaltours it includes salt museum, lagoon tour (bird watching), stop at some fruit plantation with tasting, transportation (with a/c) and more. Only $45 each. Can't compare to the other prices I've seen. Good luck.

ScottishMaid · #4 October 30th, 2009, 01:37 AM

We did this tour with Holland America in December 2007. It was one of the best nature shorex I have done. In summary during the bus drive to the sanctuary the tour guide explained about all the plants and animals in the area, then we had the sanctuary tour, then a fascinating tour of an old salt works, then lunch in a small town with dirt streets with some free time for the beach or shopping. The sanctuary really needs your help. It is very basic and needs money..buy a teeshirt. In this area like many in Mexico people used to make turtle soup when the big turtles came ashore to lay their eggs. Also the eggs were thought to be an aphrodisiac. Now people are paid to collect the eggs for hatching. They will explain all this and show you the tanks. Then comes the highlight: everyone goes to the beach, a line is drawn in the sand, everyone gets a baby turtle and they are released simultaneously. They know instinctively to go to the water but they are so small. your daughter could follow up by joining one of the conservation organizations. If you google "El Tortugario Cuyutlan" you will find photos.

nklpikl · #5 October 30th, 2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottishMaid

We did this tour with Holland America in December 2007. It was one of the best nature shorex I have done. In summary during the bus drive to the sanctuary the tour guide explained about all the plants and animals in the area, then we had the sanctuary tour, then a fascinating tour of an old salt works, then lunch in a small town with dirt streets with some free time for the beach or shopping. The sanctuary really needs your help. It is very basic and needs money..buy a teeshirt. In this area like many in Mexico people used to make turtle soup when the big turtles came ashore to lay their eggs. Also the eggs were thought to be an aphrodisiac. Now people are paid to collect the eggs for hatching. They will explain all this and show you the tanks. Then comes the highlight: everyone goes to the beach, a line is drawn in the sand, everyone gets a baby turtle and they are released simultaneously. They know instinctively to go to the water but they are so small. your daughter could follow up by joining one of the conservation organizations. If you google "El Tortugario Cuyutlan" you will find photos.

So you actually booked yours through the cruise line? Just want to double check. Also do you know if the release is at certain times of year and/or times of day? Thanks for your help!

ScottishMaid · #6 October 30th, 2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nklpikl

So you actually booked yours through the cruise line? Just want to double check. Also do you know if the release is at certain times of year and/or times of day? Thanks for your help!

Yes, we went on the ship's excursion. I think just one bus load of us. They did the tour and release specially for our group. But I did notice some individuals arriving in cars too. I don't know if they were from the ship or just general tourists. There is a basic welcome center with restrooms and sodas and souvenirs to purchase. I'm sure someone would take you round individually and do a release for some dollars. The center needs the money. There were lots of little babies swimming in the holding tank in mid December.

Pie R Squared · #7 November 8th, 2009, 12:02 PM

Nklpikl,

I am on your ship and my kids 9 and 11 want to do the turtles also, have you book this tour yet and if so with whom?

Paul

nklpikl · #8 November 8th, 2009, 02:09 PM

I finalized things this morning with Paco at chima tours (do google search). They seem to do more individual family tour. They have Sentra's Suburbans etc. I found out about the company on trip advisor. Good Luck. Hope to see you there!

Pie R Squared · #9 November 8th, 2009, 05:40 PM

Hello nklpikl,

What do you mean they have Sentra's, Surburban's????

Can you provide detail as to cost and maybe a web site or point of contact?

Shipmate Paul

nklpikl · #10 November 8th, 2009, 09:14 PM

They are not tour buses. The take small group or family. Some example of the typr of vehicles they have are suburban's and Sentra's. www dot chima tours dot com. I believe the cost was 45/ person for everything

Pie R Squared · #11 November 8th, 2009, 09:37 PM

Mmmmmm..... for $45 per person (we have six) maybe it would more economical to hire a taxi or rent a car. Cuyutlan is 30 to 45 minutes south of Manzanillo. Could be a fun road trip.

I think my kids are doing Randi's in Mazatlan with their mom, don't forget the oranges and apples for Randi.

kkorman · #12 November 8th, 2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nklpikl

They are not tour buses. The take small group or family. Some example of the typr of vehicles they have are suburban's and Sentra's. www dot chima tours dot com. I believe the cost was 45/ person for everything

I'm on your cruise too, but could not locate the website you listed. Any suggestions?

nklpikl · #13 November 8th, 2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkorman

I'm on your cruise too, but could not locate the website you listed. Any suggestions?

Sorry it is chimal tours dot com I forgot the l

kkorman · #14 November 9th, 2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nklpikl

Sorry it is chimal tours dot com I forgot the l

Thanks, found the website, b ut now e-mail was rejected and website did not process e-mail that way. Maybe just not meant to be.

nklpikl · #15 November 9th, 2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkorman

Thanks, found the website, b ut now e-mail was rejected and website did not process e-mail that way. Maybe just not meant to be.

Try this email. chimaltour@prodigy.net.mx

kgarroutte · #16 November 10th, 2009, 12:10 AM

We are using Chimal Tours. Paco is a very good communicator, but sometimes Mexico email takes longer, just be patient. Yahoo has problems though, so try another email service. We leave tomorrow!!!