By far the most interesting activity in Mancora, swimming with giant sea turtles is an experience you are not soon to forget. The pier may be crowded. There may be Peruvian tourists in life jackets half drowning. And the water may be filled with fish guts. But you are still getting up close and personal with some of the worlds oldest and most majestic creatures.
To swim with the turtles you first need to get to El Nuro, a pier about 20 minutes out of Mancora. To do this go to the Eppo bus terminal on the Main Street in Mancora and purchase a ticket for 2 soles to Los Oragnos. They leave every 15-30 minutes. At the station in Los Oragnos there will be many tuk-tuk drivers waiting to take people to El Nuro. Negotiate your little heart out, a decent price is around 20 soles per car, no matter how many people. Bare in mind that this is for a return trip, and the driver will be waiting for you at the pier so it's really not that expensive, particularly if split between 4. If your travelling solo try to join up with other travellers on the bus. There is also a bus that does this trip, although I am yet to meet anyone who figured out how to catch it.
At the pier you will be charged a 5 soles entrance fee. There is a small museum room where you can read (in Spanish) about the life cycle and habits of the turtles. Then you can head out to the pier and jump on in!
At any given time there are between 5 and 40 giant sea turtles swimming around the pier. It is generally best to go early in the morning when there are fewer tourists and the turtles are plentiful due to the fishermen hauling in their days catch.
Be warned, the sea turtles are not shy. They will get right up in your face, rubbing against you, pushing you, trying to swim over you. If you are especially lucky like I was one might even nibble on your tush.
There is no where secure to store your things so don't take anything more than you need for the day and if possible travel in a group so that you can take turns watching the stuff. I went solo and as such, don't have any pictures as bringing a camera wasn't safe.
Swimming with the turtles, while super touristy, is an awesome experience and definitely not to be missed if you are passing through Mancora!
To swim with the turtles you first need to get to El Nuro, a pier about 20 minutes out of Mancora. To do this go to the Eppo bus terminal on the Main Street in Mancora and purchase a ticket for 2 soles to Los Oragnos. They leave every 15-30 minutes. At the station in Los Oragnos there will be many tuk-tuk drivers waiting to take people to El Nuro. Negotiate your little heart out, a decent price is around 20 soles per car, no matter how many people. Bare in mind that this is for a return trip, and the driver will be waiting for you at the pier so it's really not that expensive, particularly if split between 4. If your travelling solo try to join up with other travellers on the bus. There is also a bus that does this trip, although I am yet to meet anyone who figured out how to catch it.
At the pier you will be charged a 5 soles entrance fee. There is a small museum room where you can read (in Spanish) about the life cycle and habits of the turtles. Then you can head out to the pier and jump on in!
At any given time there are between 5 and 40 giant sea turtles swimming around the pier. It is generally best to go early in the morning when there are fewer tourists and the turtles are plentiful due to the fishermen hauling in their days catch.
Be warned, the sea turtles are not shy. They will get right up in your face, rubbing against you, pushing you, trying to swim over you. If you are especially lucky like I was one might even nibble on your tush.
There is no where secure to store your things so don't take anything more than you need for the day and if possible travel in a group so that you can take turns watching the stuff. I went solo and as such, don't have any pictures as bringing a camera wasn't safe.
Swimming with the turtles, while super touristy, is an awesome experience and definitely not to be missed if you are passing through Mancora!