Ecotourism

Adopt a Turtle

Over 22 years ago the owners of Las Casitas and two other groups decided to bring ecology to the Riviera Maya coast for the first time ever. Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA) was born. Even today Casita owners comprise about half the Board.

Mission / Programs:

Then and now CEA does much research and dissemination of information to aid in sustainable development and teach the conservation and protection of coastal ecosystems and the environment to all local people.

A. The Mesoamerican Reef… the second longest in the world… extends from the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula down to Honduras, and is closest to land in the Akumal region. CEA does extensive work in Coral Reef Monitoring and protection, and Seagrass Monitoring (since turtles eat the seagrass).

B. CEA promotes the sustainable use of all natural resources: coral, fish, water quality, interaction with snorkelers, and monitors/tags all turtles in the bay. Due to the work and studies by CEA the Federal Government in 2015 declared Akumal a protected Fish Refuge/Sanctuary out to 1 ¬Ω kilometers from the beach.

C. In March 2016, Akumal Bay was declared a Marine Refuge for Protected Species by Mexican Federal Authorities. The protected area runs approximately 11 kilometers along the coast from Xcacel to Akumal. It overlaps with, but extends farther than, the current Fish Refuge Area. The protected species include:

• Three species of turtles: the green, the loggerhead and the hawksbill;
• Four species of corals: elkhorn, staghorn, soft corals and sea fans;
• Three species of mangrove: white, buttonwood and red;
• Three species of seagrass

D. CEA has programs to educate children in schools about environmental issues, introduced recycling many years ago; brought the Wetlands system here to eliminate waste by growing trees (which Las Casitas uses), and has a Water Quality Management Program to preserve and protect the land, coastal and marine waters and to help communities make sustainable choices that reduce or prevent water quality problems.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

When in Akumal you can volunteer your time from June to October to help patrol the beaches to protect the nesting turtles, their nests and hatchlings. Those interested should contact CEA directly. (info@ceakumal.org). In 2023, the four beaches of Akumal have resulted in a total of 1,472 nests and about 92,300 hatchling returning to sea.

WHAT LAS CASITAS HAS DONE TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

Over thirty five Years ago, Casita owners were half of the Founding Members of Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA) which brought environmental science, and concerns, to this part of the coast. Over the years we have added many ecological activities to Las Casitas. All wastewater is filtered through septic systems and feed the huge Wetlands that grow plants. We collect rainwater in several huge tanks and even the tennis court drainage serves to provide water for all grass, plants, flowers and trees. Even the piped-in water is treated by us before reaching the Casitas for use in sinks and showers…though we still insist that people use the 5-gallon drums of water to drink. All sheets and towels are now washed on our property and wastewater is treated and used for the grounds. All light bulbs are now LED. And we have re-cycled plastic and metals for years. The waterfalls at the pool and cenote use recycled water. Finally, every new addition built on the property has respected existing trees, shrubs and flowers…as easily seen around the huge swimming pool. Finally we are in the process of installing solar panels that by the end of 2025 will provide 50% of all electricity used by Las Casitas.