Take the highway number 54 departing from the city of Colima heading south. After traveling 44 kilometers you will get to ArmerÃa, where taking the road number 200 you will arrive to Cuyutlán. Itâs just 10 minutes by the coast of this charming colimense beach once you find the signallings to get to this place.
Leaving Manzanillo, you must take the Manzanillo-Colima payment highway (tollbooth). The travel time would be 20 minutes approximately. When arriving to Cuyutlán you will see signallings guiding you to the facilities of the Tortugario.
If necessary, any inhabitant of Cuyutlán will be able to give you information in the open and friendly way the costeños (people pertaining to the coast) are used to.
Also it is possible to arrive here through the taxi services in the cities of ArmerÃa and/or Cuyutlán.
It is a simple construction of roofs and terraces, in the style of the region, where among gardens and palm trees are saltwater pools, in some of which hundreds of marine little turtles swim waiting to be released, and in others there are turtles of different species and ages in exhibition for study and so that the visitors can see them.
Tortugario of Cuyutlán Ecological Center began with the installation of a turtle camping in 1993, where every season between June and December arrive hundreds of marine turtles to spawn eggs in the beaches of Colima. The main objective of the Tortugario is to promote the protection of endangered species. It counts with turtles in captivity, an area of egg incubation of marine turtles, an iguana area, a crocodile area, cabins, exhibition halls, the wharf to Palo Verde estuary and other general services. Since then, every year in the months of June and December the program of Inspection and Monitoring of the beaches of Cuyutlán takes place. A total of 30 km is monitored, from The Paradise beach to a place called Tepalcates near the Municipality of Manzanillo. The routes starts from 10:30 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. trying to collect as many nests as possible, being careful with human sacking and consumption by some natural predators. Later, the nests are transported to the âCenterâ and they are replanted in the incubation breeding ground. They are marked (Date, Number of nest, Number of eggs). After an average of 45 days in incubation, the offsprings are born and released to their natural environment, the sea. At the end of each season all data collected is analyzed, processed and interpreted to make later the concerning reports to present to the National Institute of Ecology (INE).
In this Ecological Center it is possible to enjoy a detailed explanation about the marine turtlesâ life, its life cicle and reproduction, the reason of their arrival to the beaches of our State during certain periods, in addition to be able to watch videos on the matter and visit the pools where the little turtles are prepared to be released, besides to the capture process and securing of nests, the incubation of eggs, the struggles against the thieves of nests, as well as an explanation of the other species in the Center.
In the Centerâs facilities it is also possible to enjoy the existing saltwater pools, and to use a game table and chairs to eat fast meals from the restaurant or food taken in by the visitors.
It is fair to emphasize the indescribable beauty of the natural surroundings of the Tortugario, which is appraised through route by the mangrove swamps of the Palo Verde estuary. An impressive ecosystem of flora and wild fauna is the scenery that appears when sailing by its waters between the fascinating tunnels of mangrove tree roots. There are five barren isles of capricious shapes; Iguanas Island, the one in the middle, constitute the habitat of pelicans, canadian ducks, hawks, fishing eagles, white and gray herons, between many other species of birds that offer a wonderful spectacle with their loose and rhytmic flight, sometimes even going jointly with the boats among the tunnels, and with luck it will be possible to contemplate the crocodiles in its natural state. Donât loose the opportunity to live this unique experience in which the birds fly and sing, the trees breathe and the flowers open their petals each dawn to welcome you.
There are two types of strolls in the Palo Verde Estuary: Stroll 1. It lasts 3 hrs. maximum. The tariff is $85,00 for adults and $50,00 for kids, including the entrance to the tortugario. The visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The route includes: Boat stroll directed by Semarnatâs qualified personnel. Sighting of birds, turtles, crocodiles and iguanas. Stroll in the tortugario that presserves species of iguanas, crocodiles and turtles. Presentation and explanation of turtle preservation, 15 min. Pool in the Tortugario.
Stroll 2. It lasts 45 min. maximum. The tariff is $40,00 for adults and $20,00 for kids, stroll in the middle of the Tunnel. The visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (br) The route includes: Boat stroll directed Semarnatâs qualified personnel. Sighting of birds, turtles, crocodiles and iguanas.
People taking both strolls get an accident insurance, medicine kit, repellent, a tule hat and can take a freezer with refreshments or beer.