This year marked the 13th annual Turtle Festival held in Xcacel, Tulum and Akumal. With the torrential rains arriving a day before the originally scheduled events, organizers postponed the festival to the following week.
The purpose of the festival is to celebrate the end the of the annual turtle season and to act as an educational opportunity for kids and adults. From informational turtle poster drawing contests and sand sculptures to environmental education talks and hands-on activities and a Mayan tribute dance dedicated to the turtles, there was something for everyone.
“I am incredibly proud of all of my colleagues from various local organizations who collaborated in planning and coordinating this event. We are also very thankful to our generous sponsors—without them this event could not happen,» says Mauricio Acevez Nunez, turtle program coordinator at CEA and this year’s festival organizing committee president.
The turtle festival saw an estimated amount of 1000 participants over the course of the three days. Pictures and results of some of the contests can be found on the festival’s Facebook page.
