Iztuzu Beach

More than just a very pretty arc of sand against a backdrop of pine covered mountains; this beach is an important nesting sight for loggerhead turtles. The turtles are responsible for the look of the area, if it wasn’t for them it would be more built up, but a lot of development has been put on hold because the turtles need to be protected, thus so does their idyllic sandbar environment. The sand bar of Iztuzu Beach runs a long way along the coast, about 5 miles, so there’s plenty of space for both nesting turtles and people, most of whom come in daily by boats and have to be off the beach by 6 when it’s time for the turtles to take over. Most restrictions are placed on visitors during peak turtle season between May and September. The beach is positioned in a way that means you can swim in both fresh and sea water, but it does lack shade so bring your sunscreen or be prepared to pay for a sunbed or umbrella.