On Playa Cuevita, 5km south of El Valle along the coast, is the turtle-nesting sanctuary and research station of Estación Septiembre. From June to December sea turtles arrive to lay eggs. The best time to see them is at night. The conservation project is run by the community organization Caguama – visitors are essential to keep it running. Entry is by voluntary donation. There are cabins you can stay in (per person with/without meals COP$80,000/40,000) if you want to spend some time here.
You can walk to the sanctuary from El Valle (two hours) either along a bush track or along the beach. If you take the beach, you will wade across a couple of waist-deep rivers, while a guide (COP$20,000) is recommended for the bush route. The staff can also organize nighttime turtle-watching tours departing from El Valle.
