Tortugranja: Isla Mujeres' Sea Turtle Sanctuary

Tortugranja sits on the Sac Bajo road about 5 km south of Isla Mujeres town, a low-key government-run hatchery where 30 pesos (roughly $1.50) gets you past the gate. It has been the island's most affordable wildlife stop for decades, though its operating status has been uneven since 2022 — check locally before you build a day around it.

The site began in the 1980s when a local fisherman started fencing off turtle nests on the beach to keep predators and poachers out. That small effort grew into a facility with incubation corrals, nursery tanks, and a small aquarium. Volunteers and staff patrol the island's beaches during nesting season, collect eggs, and rebury them in protected sand until they hatch.

What You'll See Inside

The facility is small — most visitors walk the whole loop in 30 to 45 minutes. Don't expect a theme park. Expect concrete tanks, hand-painted signs, and turtles of every size, from palm-sized hatchlings to adults with shells over a meter long.

The Nursery Tanks

The outdoor tanks hold hatchlings sorted by age, from freshly emerged babies up to year-old juveniles. Depending on the month, you might see hundreds of them crowded together. The farm raises turtles for up to a year before tagging and releasing them — a strategy that dramatically improves survival rates compared with letting hatchlings crawl straight into the surf, where birds and fish pick most of them off within days.

The Aquarium and Adult Pools

A small indoor section displays seahorses, tropical fish, and occasionally small rays or catsharks. Outside, larger sea turtles paddle in sea pens — hawksbill, green, and loggerhead are the species you're most likely to encounter on Isla Mujeres. Some of these animals are permanent residents that can't survive in the wild; others are held temporarily for rehabilitation.

Feeding the Turtles

For an extra 30 pesos you can buy a bag of food pellets at the entrance and drop them into the tanks. This is the highlight for most kids, and it's genuinely fun — the turtles surge toward the surface the moment they see a hand above the water. Go around 11 am if you want to catch them at their most active. Staff feed them around that time, and the tanks turn into a churning mass of flippers and shells.

One thing to know before you go: signs throughout the facility ask visitors not to touch the turtles. People ignore them constantly, and it's a problem. A turtle's skin is coated in a protective mucus layer, and handling strips it away. Look, photograph, feed — but keep your hands off the shell and skin.

Planning Your Visit

Hours and Admission

The farm has traditionally operated daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is 30 pesos per person (about $1.50 USD), with children under 5 often admitted free. Bring small bills — the ticket booth has a reputation for running out of change for 200- or 500-peso notes. Turtle food costs another 30 pesos.

Be aware that the facility's status has been unstable. It closed for a period beginning around 2022 amid legal and administrative disputes, and reports on reopening have been inconsistent since. Some sources list it as permanently closed; others describe a limited reopening. Fees and hours are subject to change, so confirm with your hotel or a local taxi driver before making the trip.

How to Get There

From the Isla Mujeres ferry terminal in Centro, a taxi to Tortugranja takes about 10 minutes and costs roughly 30 to 50 pesos each way. Taxis usually wait near the entrance, so getting back isn't a problem. If you've rented a golf cart — the standard way to explore the island — it's a straightforward drive south along the Sac Bajo road, about 5 km from town. The turnoff is signed.

When to Go

Turtle nesting season on Isla Mujeres runs from May through September, with hatching and release events typically peaking in August and September. That's when you'll see the most babies and, if you're lucky, witness a release. Outside those months the farm is quieter — you'll still see turtles at every stage, but not the egg-laying or hatching action.

Arrive right at 9 am if you want to avoid tour groups. Cruise-ship excursions often hit the farm mid-morning, and the small tanks get crowded fast.

Nearby Stops

Playa Lancheros, a calm west-coast beach with shallow water and a handful of seafood restaurants, is less than a kilometer north of the farm — an easy add-on for lunch. Continue south and you'll reach Punta Sur, the island's rocky southern tip with the Ixchel temple ruins and cliffside walking paths. A golf-cart loop combining Tortugranja, Playa Lancheros, and Punta Sur takes about half a day at a relaxed pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tortugranja currently open?

Its status has fluctuated since 2022, when it closed amid administrative disputes. Some recent visitor reports describe a limited reopening; others say it remains closed. Check with your hotel or a local taxi driver on the day — don't rely on outdated travel guides.

How much does it cost to visit?

Admission is 30 pesos (about $1.50 USD) per person, and a bag of turtle food is another 30 pesos. Bring small bills, since the ticket booth often can't break large notes.

Can you touch or hold the turtles?

No. Signs throughout the facility prohibit touching, and staff ask visitors to keep hands out of the tanks. Feeding with the purchased pellets is allowed; handling is not.

What is the best time of year to see baby turtles?

Nesting season runs May to September, with hatching and releases peaking in August and September. Outside those months you'll still see turtles of various ages, just not newborns or release events.