Light pollution

[KennyG]

So, people have written about noise pollution, like loud music, at various places along the beach, but what about light pollution? The last several times I have been to Tulum, a hotel has had these huge floodlights on at night, lighting up the hotel and the whole beach right there. That is also annoying. I'm 99% sure this is Esmeralda K, just south of Shambala Petit. What's the deal with that? Not much seems to be going on there even though they have all those lights on, although one time they also had a party with loud music. It usually looks as if they're getting ready for a big beach party that doesn't actually materialize. I don't like seeing those bright lights, especially when I'm walking on the beach at night. Can anyone shed some "light" on that? :D

[minniemex]

Sorry Kenny, can't help ya. I am completely in the dark.:D:D:D

[itsjustme]

Blinded by the light. :cool:

[PhyllisB]

Amen, Kenny. I don't like the light pollution either, and I always worry for the turtles. Las Ranitas used to have really bright lights too (not sure if they still do), and there was at least one other place along that south stretch that had big bright floodlight type of lights.

I'm guessing (hoping) it's just misplaced good intentions --- it can get SO DARK on the beach at night, particularly if there's no moonlight, that it can be hard to see the hotel properties and figure out where your spot is! Our first trip down, Suenos offered us low light "torches" to use if we had to go out at night so we could find our way. That's much nicer (and better for the turtles) than having huge floodlights on your place.

I don't know any of the explanations and have never gone to an establishment to complain about it. Probably should, though, because it is bothersome.

[ildipoo]

Can someone remind me what we're supposed to do with our flashlights? I think we will bring one but I read something about using them with a red cover. How do you do that?

[beatfarmer]

and--concerning the turtles-----do they use the beaches all up and down Tulum and toward Punta allen.....
there is always so much mentioned of turtles and Akumal bay further north.....
Just wondering!

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:I have to agree, I'm a low light kind of girl....I read by christmas lights....

So to answer the above questions....(don't know how to multiquote...can someone enlighten me?)

Yes, red on the flashlights....I had a roll of clear red tape that I would give to my guests....but have run out....it worked great.

and yes, lots of turtles in Turtle season laying eggs, and then hatching babies all up and down the coast! Saw lots of mamas and babies last year. Turtle season is most of the summer, a great time to visit Tulum.

La Nueva Vida de Ramiro has a hatchery at thier place, they are part of a program that sends people out on a 4 wheeler in the night to check nests to see if they are safe for hatching or if they may be too close to water or preditors. If they deem them unsafe, they dig them up and bring them back to the hatchery and then when they hatch (60 days later) they release them from NV.

Living next door at Casa de las Palmas, me and my guests got to see LOTS of babies hatch and run away to the sea, and we had several mama's lay eggs on our beach.

Pretty sure there is nothing cuter than baby turtles and baby geccos. :o I'm sure in a few months Phyllis will have a different opinion.....!;)

We really need a turtle icon......:rolleyes:

:boat:

[minniemex]

Can someone remind me what we're supposed to do with our flashlights? I think we will bring one but I read something about using them with a red cover. How do you do that?

Alot of flashlights are sold with different colored lenses. If you already have a flashlight without one, any type of red tissue paper, saran wrap, or any thin piece of red paper along with a rubber band works great. The reason for red is that the turtles don't see red so they are not disturbed by the light then. Baby turtles follow the light from the moon to find the water. That is why it is so important to not have any bright lights on the beach during turtle season, as the babys will go in the wrong direction and won't find the water. This also makes them easy prey for birds and other animals. Turtle season is May thru October, but there have been the rare births of babes in later months. I believe a person traveling in the winter months, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr would have no problems using just a normal flashlight.

[beachreader]

I hate light pollution almost as much as noise pollution. When I stayed at Hamaca Loca a couple of years ago, they had a very intense light very high up a pole, maybe 30 feet up.

When I went out to the beach at night to see the stars, nothing. I actually went back, found Claudio, and asked them to turn it off (they did). There's just no need for something like that!

At the time, Las Ranitas had their blaring lights on as well, so I still had interference from that area, but at least it wasn't right over my head.

I'm always amazed that people don't realize how well their own eyes can see at night, especially when the ground is white--it's reflective even without a full moon. I rarely use flashlights to walk, just to read menus! :D

[think]

one of the big reasons I like the reserve so much is the lack of light pollution. if i wanted illuminated beaches and hotels I'd just go to florida :p

[chamba]

I have seen the light!!!

[lazydog]

Hijack!

"We really need a turtle icon......:rolleyes:" (posted by Margo)

We really need a lot of new icons and smilies on this board, by the way the Simpsons never get used. I don't understand why the Playa board has so many cute smilies and we have um the happy face and a dollar sign. Mods? Can you help us out? Hook us up with some cool smilies!

Oh and I hate light pollution but what I really hate is noise pollution, that is probably why we all go to Tulum instead of PDC or the all AI's that litter the coast.

[minniemex]

We have asked and unfortuntely it isn't a priority right now. I am sure as soon as James has the time he will give us some new smileys. Maybe he is waiting to give them to us for Christmas??:crossfingers::crossfingers:

[pcollins888]

KennyG
The star light is blinding bright down here in the Sian Ka'an,but we just have to live with it. It was good to meet you at OM and look forward to seeing you in the Sian Ka,an on your next visit.

[ilovewyoming]

Hijack!

"We really need a turtle icon......:rolleyes:" (posted by Margo)

We really need a lot of new icons and smilies on this board, by the way the Simpsons never get used. I don't understand why the Playa board has so many cute smilies and we have um the happy face and a dollar sign. Mods? Can you help us out? Hook us up with some cool smilies!

Oh and I hate light pollution but what I really hate is noise pollution, that is probably why we all go to Tulum instead of PDC or the all AI's that litter the coast.
Have to agree with the noise pollution...you can't even fill up your car without music or advertisements blaring in your ears. You go shopping and there is all that annoying canned music playing. It is hard to tune it out, unless you wear ear plugs. The light pollution in Tulum is not as bad as Vegas, but it is a worry.

[KennyG]

KennyG
The star light is blinding bright down here in the Sian Ka'an,but we just have to live with it. It was good to meet you at OM and look forward to seeing you in the Sian Ka,an on your next visit.

Sounds great! I look forward to returning.

[chamba]

HIJACK
Lets push for some smilies this holiday season! A turtle is a great idea, a tree? I like the sailor, can we get a fisherman/woman? we sure do have beer!!!
thanks for the chance to hijack!!!
:wave:

[beachreader]

We do have a fisherman/woman, you just have to click on the "More" button to see it. :fishing:

But I agree about the turtles and such. We'll bring it up again with James, and maybe Heather can help us too.

[ilovewyoming]

i vote for a PEACE sign....and then we can go from there.

[tbpeaceful]

i vote for a PEACE sign....and then we can go from there.

DITTO! :crossfingers:

[manitou]

Is it just me or does anyone else fantasize about seeing some "good" live music on the beach. Tell you what, had the Dead played on the beach in Tulum back in the day, that's some noise and light pollution I would have loved!

One of those items that's a must for our trips to Tulum is a headlamp for walking the beach at night. Turn it off most of the time, but nice to flick it on for a second when you think you see the boogie man. Nice for reading in bed or on a balcony, too.

[ChicagoCraig]

i vote for a PEACE sign....and then we can go from there.

Peace, Boom Boom out go the lights

[pcollins888]

LighthouseChurchTulum has an english worship service every Sunday at 10AM. Shining the LIGHT for People on the Riviera Maya.
But this is a awesome Light!