How Far Would You Swim for Love?

How Far Would You Swim for Love?

If you are like Argo, a determined Green Sea Turtle, the answer is: One thousand miles! This hard-shelled Romeo's incredible journey started at Costa Rica's Coco's Island and ended in Panama in hot pursuit of a suitable partner. Argo's voyage can be traced here.


Today, we can thank Argo and his mates for their efforts as we greet this year's sea-turtle egg-laying season. From August to November the Costa Rican coastline will greet female sea turtles as they return to the beaches where they once hatched. Graceful and acrobatic under water, their massive weight renders them impossibly slow while on land. By sheer determination they carry their massive weight (up to 700 pounds) to find the perfect nesting spot. The heavy sound of dragged friction gives credence to their efforts! Muscular hind flippers dig the nest by gently wiping away the sand in a process reminiscent of a long Tai-Chi session. After positioning themselves over the dug nest, the egg-laying process begins. Between fifty and two hundred perfectly round, white eggs are dropped like glistening ping-pong balls. Once finished, the Tai-Chi resumes and the nest is refilled with sand, tapping and sculpting the upper layer in a hopeful attempt to thwart poachers and predators. The sea turtle then slowly retraces its steps towards the surf line and completes a mesmerizing life ritual.


Globally endangered sea turtles are the quiet heroes of marine and beach environments. Some species graze on the sea grass (like manatees), helping to optimize the living habitats of key food chain populations. Plus the hatched eggs provide essential nutrients for the sand dune vegetation that helps prevent erosion. These functions, essential to the health of coastal ecosystems, have prompted aggressive conservation and recovery efforts. Hotel Punta Islita has supported the initiatives of the Camaronal Foundation. Thanks to these efforts many species of turtles have once again returned to the area in robust numbers. A perfect celebration of love and life!