Our day started with a 2-hour return walk to Tortuga Bay. However, there are no tortugas (sea turtles) there any more due to exploitation of the sand dunes in the in the 1960s-1980s when the sea sand was used for building. The people didn’t realise that it was also an important sea turtle nesting beach. The walk is through an easy paved walkway and along the beach. Bathing has been forbidden here due to strong currents and in an attempt to lure the sea turtles back. Across the beach and around the corner is a lovely protected bay where people can swim.
In the afternoon we take a 30-minute bus trip to a tortoise breeding center/farm (Rancho El Manzanilto). It is a short walk around the property and observing tortoises of all ages, including one that was over a meter tall with his neck stretched out.
