tourist info fulda

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2 By train
• 3 Get around
• 7.2 Mid-range
• 7.3 Splurge
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge

Fulda is a small city about an hour away from Frankfurt by train in Central Germany . It has a nice small-town feel, and manages to have good tourist resources without feeling touristy. The more laid-back feeling here is a nice change from nearby Frankfurt.

Understand [ edit ]

• Tourist Office , Bonifatius Platz 1 ( to get there from the train station, exit through the downstairs of the station, and go straight about 6 blocks ). M-F 08:30-18:00, Sa Su holidays 10:00-14:00 . There is a tourist computer-terminal available for extended hours with hotel, sights, and other tourist information.  

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

Fulda is reachable by train from Frankfurt Airport . While there are other airports in the area (particularly in Hannover and Kassel) they have rather limited connections and you are unlikely to arrive there, especially in Kassel.

By train [ edit ]

Fulda has an excellent (in most cases a direct) connection with many major German cities. Hamburg, Munich, and Berlin can be reached in about 3 hours. Frankfurt and Kassel in less than 1 hour. As Fulda lies on the main north-south high speed rail line of Germany that connects Hamburg and Munich, every major city in Germany can be reached in a few hours with no more than one interchange. Even international destinations are within reach, sometimes requiring an interchange in Hamburg, Frankfurt or Berlin but often direct as well. Flixtrain serves the city.

By car [ edit ]

Fulda is about 1 hour's drive from Frankfurt along the A66 and just off the A7 about 1 hour north of Würzburg . Keep in mind that Fulda can get very congested during weekends all through the summer holidays. As it lies in the middle of Germany and many Germans drive to Italy and the North Sea Coast destinations of Niedersachsen and Schleswig Holstein in the summer, it is prone to heavy traffic jams in both directions. If you have to drive during those weeks, bring patience and listen for the word Stau on the Radio.

Get around [ edit ]

You'll arrive at Fulda's central train station. If you're on foot, you'll probably want to go downstairs from the train station, as doing so will funnel you towards the major sites, hotels, the tourist office and the downtown. If you stay upstairs and cross the street you will reach the bus terminal which is very close.

Unless you have a lot of luggage or don't care for walking, you won't need any transportation as the town is fairly compact. If you do want transportation however, you can catch some city buses at the central train station, or a taxi. Both are available on the road outside the upstairs of the train station.

Fulda also has a bus station so you can go to local villages from the city of Fulda if you are only visiting the city on a day trip. You can get tickets quickly and easily from the Fahrkarten Automat (automatic ticket machines) you will also find these at Fulda's Hauptbahnhof.

See [ edit ]

Fulda's architecture mostly escaped the baroquization that took over much of Europe. The lack of decoration means that the buildings give the eyes a rest from the ornateness of other cities.

• 50.554623 9.67086 1 Fulda Cathedral ( Fuldaer Dom ). Baroque, former abbey and burial place of Saint Boniface.  

• 50.555009 9.671954 2 St. Michael's Church . The oldest Holy Sepulchre church in Germany, built in the Carolingian architectural style around 820.  

Palace [ edit ]

• 50.553953 9.676405 3 Stadtschloss ( Residence ). Buildings open: M Tu Th 08:30-12:30, 14:00-16:00, W F 08:30-12:30. Grounds (exact times unsure) morning . build 1706 - Head out of the bottom of the train station and go straight for 5 blocks, turn right and head about three blocks. You will be able to see it. The castle used to used by the princes of the region, but is now the seat of local government and other services, including the police station. The gardens are very nicely taken care of, and there are benches scattered throughout.  
• Orangery . and Flora Vase  
• Schlossgarten ( Residence Gardens ).  
• Barockviertel and barocke Adelspalais ( Baroque Nobles Palaces and Baroque Quarter ).  
• Schloss Fasanerie ( Baroque palaces Dasnarie ).  

Do [ edit ]

Events [ edit ].

• City celebration (Bahnhofs Fest) - The last weekend of May is always a party right outside the train station. The surrounding blocks are filled with food and snack stands, carnival games, souvenirs, etc. Live bands start playing around 20:00.

Buy [ edit ]

Fulda is a great place to go to if you want to get a look of the German high street shopping scene. In Fulda you have Galleria Kaufhof, Karstadt, and Müller which are all major German retail stores.

Eat [ edit ]

If you head towards the tourist office, you can turn left on either of the last two streets to find several smaller restaurants at various levels of price and formality. Most have outdoor seating weather permitting. The plaza where the tourist office is located also has several restaurants.

Budget [ edit ]

• Cafe Palais , Bonifatius Platz 1 . Cafe shares an entrance with the tourist office. The tourist computer kiosk is actually in this cafe's lobby. This place looks a lot more relaxed than the bar/restaurants across the plaza.  
• Grocery store - Upstairs in the train station is a grocery store with good prices. There is no fresh fruit, or bakery style bread, but it's open till at least 23:00. Also caries basic amenities.

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 50.5906 9.6864 1 [dead link] Wirtshaus Michelsrombacher Wald , Michelsrombacher Straße 51 , ☏ +49 661-65302 .  
• 50.552517 9.676338 2 Wirtshaus Schwarzer Hahn , Friedrichstraße 18 , ☏ +49 661 24 03 12 .  
• 50.551147 9.668025 3 Brauhaus Wiesenmühle , Wiesenmühlenstraße 13 , ☏ +49 661 92 868 0 . Restaurant, hotel, beer garden.  
• 50.563663 9.631928 4 Fuldaer Hof , Am Ried 13 , ☏ +49 661 25 00 864 . Biergarten.  

Splurge [ edit ]

• 50.552034 9.671937 5 Alt Elsass , Am Abtstor 35 , ☏ +49 661 250 40 35 .  

Drink [ edit ]

Sleep [ edit ].

• 50.537941 9.660675 1 Jugendherberge Fulda , Schirrmannstraße 31 ( im Stadtteil Neuenberg ), ☏ +49 661 73389 .  
• 50.553014 9.674228 2 Hotel am Schloss , Habsburgergasse 5-11/ Ecke Kanalstraße 1b , ☏ +49 661 250 55 8 0 , fax : +49 661 250 55 8 99 . single from €48.40, double from €66.40 .  
• 50.552101 9.669835 3 Hotel am Dom , Wiesenmühlenstraße 6 , ☏ +49 661 97980 .  
• 50.55222 9.67334 4 Hotel zum Ritter Fulda , Kanalstraße 18–20 , ☏ +49 661-250 80-0 , fax : +49 661-250 80-174 , [email protected] .  
• 50.517303 9.813103 5 Rhoen Residence , Knesheckenweg 2, Dipperz , ☏ +49 6657 980 0 , [email protected] . This hotel offers beautiful views and friendly service. Ask for one of the renovated rooms though, as the ones that are not are dated and walls are thin. It's a popular place with business travellers but it's also at a convenient location if you're looking to explore the natural surroundings. There's a pool and several wellness facilities. from €70/€100 for singles/doubles . ( updated Jul 2015 )
• 50.549184 9.674817 6 Romantik Hotel "Goldener Karpfen" , Simpliziusbrunnen 1 , ☏ +49 661 86800 .  
• 50.555909 9.67448 7 Maritim Hotel am Schlossgarten Fulda , Pauluspromenade 2 , ☏ +49 661 282-0 .  

Connect [ edit ]

• Internet cafe - €3.00/hour, M-F 06:00-24:00, Sa Su 00:00-24:00 internet cafe/interactive games shop is on the top level of the train station.

Go next [ edit ]

• Bad Hersfeld , 45 km north (30 minutes by regional train)
• Eisenach , with the Wartburg castle where Martin Luther translated the Bible into German (World Heritage site), 90 km northeast (55 minutes by ICE train)
• Giessen , 90 km west (1:40 hours by regional train)
• Kassel , with the World Heritage Baroque water garden Wilhelmshöhe, 105 km north (30 minutes by ICE train)
• Frankfurt , European banking capital and cultural metropolis, 105 km southwest (one hour by ICE train)
• Würzburg , old town in a picturesque wine-growing region with World Heritage Baroque palace, 110 km south (30 minutes by ICE train)

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• The Top Things To See...

The Top Things to See and Do in Fulda, Germany

Only one hour away by car from the bustling city of Frankfurt lies Fulda, a laid-back town steeped in historic charm. The appeal of Fulda lies in its beautiful architecture, which includes a beautiful, twin-towered cathedral and also a palace, churches and monastery. Fulda also has ample attractions to ensure little ones don’t feel left out either. Let’s take a look.

1. fulda cathedral.

Fulda Cathedral (in German known as Fuldaer Dom , or Sankt Salvator ) is the crown jewel of the Fulda skyline. This early-18th century cathedral is the final resting place of Saint Boniface, one of the pioneers of Christianity in Germania and the archbishop of Mainz . Allow yourself ample time to explore its 65-meter (213-foot) high, double towers, the larger-than-life sculptures, gigantic columns, ornate portal door, sandstone obelisks and the medieval musical apparatus named the Golden Wheel.

2. St. Michael's Church

St. Michael’s Church was built between 820 and 822, making it the the oldest Holy Sepulchre church in Germany . Even today, visitors can see the original rotunda and crypt, though the rest of the Carolingian (Pre-Romanesque) architectural style church was expanded and refurbished in later centuries. The interior of the church boasts beautiful wall paintings dating back to the 11th century.

3. Stadtschloss

The early-18th century Baroque Stadtschloss (City Palace) was once the residence of Fulda prince abbots and prince bishops. Today, visitors can walk the historic rooms maintained in an almost-original condition and decorated with beautiful paintings and sculptures. The most loved part of this palace is the breathtaking Hall of Mirrors (Spiegelkabinett), fitted with hundreds of gleaming mirrors of various sizes. The palace sits amidst lush gardens dotted with sculptures.

5. Schloss Fasanerie

Though not technically in Fulda, Schloss Fasanerie located only a few miles away, is a must-visit for its sheer gorgeousness. It was built in the 18th century as a royal summer residence. Today, the Baroque palace welcomes visitors to tour its 60 lavish exhibition rooms. The palace’s treasure of priceless porcelain pieces, as well as its verdant gardens, are of special appeal to visitors. Additionally, the palace hosts exceptional cultural events on a regular basis, as well as special tours designed for young guests.

6. Kinder-Akademie

Kinder-Akademie is after the curious hearts of little guests. This museum teaches concepts of science, art, culture and technology through interactive exhibits and encourages experimentation and exploration. The star attraction of this museum is a walk-through heart that has no match in Europe . Moreover, the museum organizes workshops and temporary exhibitions on a regular basis.

7. Kloster Frauenberg

Kloster Frauenberg, constructed in 1623, enjoys a picturesque location on one of the seven hills of Fulda, amidst lush greenery. The Late Baroque monastery is worth a visit for its delightfully ornate interior and for the uninterrupted views of the city it commands from its terrace. In the surrounding gardens, the monks lovingly grow their own produce.

8. Deutsches Feuerwehr Museum

Deutsches Feuerwehr Museum (German Fire Brigade Museum) is a source of endless wonder for both adults and young guests. The museum, dedicated to the history of fire fighting, displays original equipment from the Renaissance right up to the modern times. Visitors are welcome to explore the interiors of several exhibits and try their hands at the water pump. Certain interactive exhibits are designed especially with little guests in mind.

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Things to Do in Fulda, Germany - Fulda Attractions

Things to do in fulda.

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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Fulda Cathedral

2. Schlossgarten Fulda

3. Michaelskirche Fulda

4. Stadtschloss City Palace Fulda

5. Dahliengarten

6. Kloster Frauenberg

7. Deutsches Feuerwehr-Museum Fulda

8. Stadtpfarrkirche

9. Vonderau Museum

10. Dommuseum Fulda

11. Kinder-Akademie Fulda KAF

12. Altes Rathaus

13. Erlebniswelt-Blockflöte

14. Benediktinerinnenabtei zur Hl. Maria

15. Schlosstheater

16. Freibad Rosenau

17. St. Lioba

18. Paulustor

19. Sportbad Ziehers

20. Saint Sturm's Fountain

21. Kulturzentrum Kreuz

22. Severikirche

23. St. Boniface Monument

24. Saint Peter's Gate

25. Heertor

26. milsenburgradweg.

27. Hexenturm

28. kletterzentrum fulda.

29. Propstei Johannesberg

30. Fulda Die Flora

What travelers are saying.

18 June 2022 – 28 August 2022

Stadtschloss Fulda Schlossstr. 1 36037  Fulda

Opening hours Daily 10.00 – 18.00 hrs.

Buy your tickets here . Tickets can also be bought at the ticket desk.

The exhibition coincides with documenta Kassel (80 km).

‘Fulda is superb’

Extra: Summer Guided Tour of the Residence „Fulda is superb!” The historical rooms of the former Residence of the Fulda prince-abbots are a top sight in the baroque city, offering an impressive insight into life in the time of Absolutism. This year the classical Residence tour has been extended to include the great summer exhibition “Design & Dynasty”. In the Fulda Residence you have the first-time and unique opportunity to admire the very finest artwork from the royal collections and Het Loo Palace together with surprising contemporary design in finely crafted objects. The summer guided tour “Fulda is Superb!” is an invitation to discover the Fulda Residence in its fresh, unique splendour. Enjoy the regal feeling during the tour through the enchanting rooms! 01.07. – 28.08.2022 Daily: 10:30 Time: 90 min Tickets: https://grosse-sommerausstellung-fuehrung.reservix.de/#2022-07-01 More information for your trip to Fulda: Tourismus und Kongressmanagement Fulda Bonifatiusplatz 1 36037  Fulda phone: +49 661/102-1814 email: [email protected] web: tourismus-fulda.de

Image: Christian Tech / Copyright Erwin Olaf

THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Fulda

Things to do in fulda, explore popular experiences, tours in and around fulda.

Operation Mindfall in Fulda

The magic portal in Fulda

Fulda Private Guided Walking Tour

Eisenach Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide

Eisenach - Guided Tour of Old Town

Aschaffenburg Private Guided Walking Tour

Segway tour around the Werratalsee in Eschwege

Cider wine tasting with supper character

Marburg Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide

AdventureDate with puzzles in the Drachenschlucht in Eisenach

Top attractions in fulda.

Other Top Attractions around Fulda

What travellers are saying

• Fulda Cathedral
• Stadtschloss City Palace Fulda
• Schlossgarten Fulda
• Michaelskirche Fulda
• Kloster Frauenberg
• Deutsches Feuerwehr-Museum Fulda

• Route planner

Attractions around Fulda

The top 10 attractions around fulda.

Hiking Highlight

The Milseburg has a real rocky peak with a 360 degree panoramic view. There is a chapel and a managed Rhönklub refuge.

Fliegerdenkmal Wasserkuppe

The aviator memorial in the Rhön was erected in 1923 and commemorates the field pilots who died in World War I.

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Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.

The Guckaisee lies in the valley between Eube, Pferdskopf and Wasserkuppe. So you can plan it for every hike in the area. The lake is divided in two. On the … read more

Moorlehrpfad durch das Rote Moor

Hiking Highlight ( Segment )

The jetty is about 800 meters long and leads from the refuge to the lookout tower. Some information boards at the wooden footbridge inform about the Red Moor (renaturation, animals and plants).

Kaskadenschlucht

Super varied forest route with bridges and river rushing!

The Rotes Moor nature reserve is one of the last raised bogs in Hesse. After the peat mining was stopped in 1986, the restoration of the moor began. In the course of this, this pond was also created.

The horse's head is the southwest foothills of the Wasserkuppe in the Rhön. It is located near Poppenhausen in the Hessian district of Fulda and is of volcanic origin. Great … read more

Fuldaquelle

Maybe not quite as spectacular as you would imagine, but overall a pretty nice place. The spring is beautifully set with picnic tables above. Due to its location at the … read more

Der Milseburg Radweg

Bike Touring Highlight

The Milseburgradweg is easy to drive and you drive at the highest point also a tunnel. Absolutely beautiful route

Nice hiking trail on planks. Interesting information and a great landscape. A trip for the whole family.

Explore these attractions on the map

Popular around fulda.

Bike Touring Collection by komoot

Road Cycling Collection by komoot

Mountain Biking Collection by komoot

Running Collection by komoot

Mountain Climbing Collection by komoot

Explore the most popular Tours around Fulda

Discover the most popular attractions around fulda.

Are you keen on exploring more awesome places nearby? Browse our guides:

• Großenlüder
• Bad Salzschlirf
• Gersfeld (Rhön)
• Stallberg Und Morsberg Bei Hünfeld
• Waldhof-Standorfsberg Bei Grüsselbach

Still not found the Highlight you’re looking for? See guides of the top attractions in other regions:

• Waldeck-Frankenberg
• Rhön Mountains
• Werra-Meißner-Kreis
• Schwalm-Eder-Kreis
• Hersfeld-Rotenburg

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Congress city Fulda - the congress center in the heart of Germany

In a central location in the low mountain range landscapes of the Rhön and Vogelsberg, Fulda is easy to get to, with 135 ICE high-speed trains stopping there daily and a good motorway connection. Fulda's lively image is shaped by Baroque castles, palaces and churches. In Fulda, history and culture are not hidden away in museums, but are part of everyday life. The city in eastern Hessen offers the perfect location for all kinds of events. Tourismus- und Kongressmanagement Fulda is available to help as your professional partner.

Opulent is a word that describes not only the magnificent buildings but also the options Fulda offers for events - from classic convention hotels to modern convention centres. The Esperanto convention centre, for example, offers pleasant surroundings and excellent service for up to 5,000 convention guests. The Baroque convention rooms in the Orangerie and the Hotel Maritim connected to it promise a very special convention experience. The outstanding hotels provide convention rooms equipped with the latest technology. The team at Tourismus- und Kongressmanagement Fulda provides every imaginable kind of support, from compiling quotes and finding accommodation to conducting and assisting in tailored programmes of fringe events: theatre events, interactive city tours, communication-promoting evening events and sporting and cultural highlights.

Tourismus- und Kongressmanagement Fulda Bonifatiusplatz 1, Palais Buttlar 36037 Fulda Tel.: +49 (0) 661 / 102-1810 Fax: +49 (0) 661 / 102-2811

E-Mail: tagung(at)fulda. remove-this. de Internet: www.tagung-fulda.com Contact Person: Elisabeth Schrimpf, Katja Frank und Natascha Wetzel

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Empower ing pro-environmental behavior in tourists through digital media: the influence of eco-guilt and empathy with nature.

• 1 Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China
• 2 Guangzhou College of Technology and Business, Guangzhou, China

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In the digital economy era, leveraging digital media to foster tourists’ pro-environmental behavioral intention (TPEBI) has become crucial in the field of sustainable tourism. While existing studies have mainly focused on the driving mechanism of TPEBI within physical tourism contexts, the correlation between digital media information sharing and TPEBI remains unclear. Our study employs the cognitive-affective-conative framework to construct a theoretical model, considering eco-guilt and empathy with nature as mediating variables. It aims to explore the influencing mechanism of destination environmental information sharing through digital media on TPEBI from a presence perspective. Thereby, two scenario experiments were designed: Study 1 examined the impact of different formats of destination environmental threat information presentation on digital media on the sense of presence, while Study 2 explored the influencing mechanism of presence on TPEBI based on the conclusions of Study 1. Results indicate that (1) vivid and visible presentation formats of destination environmental threat information on digital media enhance individuals’ sense of presence; (2) sense of presence positively influences TPEBI; and (3) eco-guilt and empathy with nature mediate between presence and TPEBI. These findings not only contribute to theoretical and empirical research on digital media information sharing in sustainable tourism but also offer guidance for governments and tourism destinations to effectively stimulate TPEBI through digital media, achieve the sustainable development of destinations.

Keywords: digital media information sharing, prsence, Eco-guilt, Empathy with nature, tourists' pro-environmental behavioral intention

Received: 18 Feb 2024; Accepted: 26 Apr 2024.

Copyright: © 2024 Chen, Cheng and Yang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Zhen-feng Cheng, Guangzhou College of Technology and Business, Guangzhou, China

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

By Ricci Shryock

Ricci Shryock is a writer and photographer based in Dakar, Senegal.

Each year, thousands of baby green sea turtles clamber across a beautiful, white-sand paradise that is one of the largest hatching sites of this species in the Atlantic, adorably making their way to the sea. There’s one noticeable absence: people.

The spectacular hatching events take place between August and December on Poilão Island, a tiny, uninhabited speck off the coast of Guinea-Bissau in West Africa. It is the southernmost island of the 88 that make up the Bijagós archipelago, a UNESCO biosphere reserve . Last year, turtles laid more than 44,000 nests on its 1.4 mile-long beach.

While the masses of turtles seem to have little trouble finding the spot to lay their eggs — some swim more than 600 miles across the North Atlantic — it’s hard to imagine somewhere more challenging for human turtle-lovers to reach.

The country’s tourism minister, Alberto Demba Touré, said that access is a main challenge. “We want to increase the tourists who go to the Bijagós,” he said. Last year, UNESCO declared its support for the Bijagós Islands to seek World Heritage List status , which, if successful, would increase its visibility and strengthen its environmental protections.

Turtle conservation programs have become a staple of resorts in many popular destinations, including in Hawaii, Mexico and throughout the Caribbean. Guinea-Bissau may like to capture a meager sliver of that pie, but it would be with steep challenges.

Politically fragile Guinea-Bissau has very little infrastructure and is one of the world’s poorest and least touristed nations. Most flights to Bissau, the country’s sleepy capital on the mainland, require a connection in Lisbon or Dakar, Senegal. Then, from Bissau, it’s a bumpy one-hour drive to the coast, and five to seven hours in a speedboat (depending on the route) to Poilão Island.

A limited number of tourists, usually no more than a dozen at a time, are allowed to visit the Poilão Island, which is part of the João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park. The island is considered sacred by the archipelago’s residents and no construction is allowed on it.

A plane, to a truck, to a speedboat

Last fall I traveled to Poilão at the height of hatching season to witness the baby turtles make their way from nest to sea, and to see how the local workers monitor and ensure the survival of the tens of thousands of hatchlings each year.

I started in Bissau, a riverside city of half a million, after flying there from my home in Dakar. A few blocks from the presidential palace, people sat at plastic tables under mango trees, listening to music and eating grilled oysters plucked from the roots of the nearby mangroves. Women walked by selling cashew fruit, which has a sour, fermented aroma.

Visitors to Bissau might visit the war museum, in an 18th-century fort and an active military base, to see the mainly Soviet-sponsored weapons used by Bissau-Guinean fighters during the independence war against their Portuguese rulers that ended in 1974.

The next morning, another visitor and I climbed into a truck that took us to the coast. I had booked my Poilão trip with a hotel on one of the islands, Orango Parque Hotel, which arranged boat transport, park fees, meals, a guide and simple accommodations for three nights. The whole arrangement cost about $1,470.

We left the capital’s main paved avenue for potholed small lanes. An hour later, we reached the dock, near an abandoned hotel among the mangroves, where I climbed into a white speedboat.

For three hours, we sped through the open ocean, passing small, mostly uninhabited islands of the Bijagós. We occasionally passed fishermen — half a dozen men in brightly painted, long wooden boats — who waved as we buzzed by.

A stop to meet the priestesses

Eventually, we landed on a beach at the hotel on Orango Island, the largest in the archipelago, where we would spend two nights before continuing the journey. We were shown to our small round houses that contained a single comfortable room, and given a lunch of fresh fish and rice.

Eduardo da Silva, a boat captain and guide at the hotel who grew up on the island, said tourists can learn a lot from the way Bijagós residents interact with nature.

“On Orango, we have always been conservationists,” he said.

One day during my stay, Mr. Da Silva took me to meet the local priestesses . Orango is a matriarchal society; today the priestesses still make decisions about when certain harvests take place and what is allowed to happen on sacred grounds. I offered the women two unlabeled, neon-green bottles of cana, alcohol made from sugar cane, which I had bought for this purpose from a roadside stand when leaving Bissau. After a short ceremony with the cana, the priestesses spoke about how they base their community decisions on what will ensure a continued balance with the environment.

“Conservation can protect what is ours, so that we don’t lose it and so that our children who are born tomorrow can know it,” said Nene Ecane, one of the priestesses, in the Bijagós language via a translator.

Landing on Poilão

When it was time to leave Orango, another speedboat — smaller than the one the day before — drove us through clear waters for two hours. We spotted dolphins and Mr. Da Silva banged his hand on the side of the boat. The dolphins came closer and jumped alongside us.

While most of the speedboat journey from Bissau had been smooth, near Poilão the boat hit rougher waves. It was just before sunset when we landed. Occasional patches of volcanic black rocks, vital for green sea turtles, dotted the small beach.

As we unloaded the boat, a half-dozen workers from the João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park greeted us, including Tumbulo Garcia Bamba, the park’s adjunct director.

“It’s good for tourists to come and learn and see how we work here for the turtles,” he said. He said he hopes that more attention to the turtles of Poilão will lead people outside of the region to respect the environment.

Mr. Bamba said he had noticed more trash washing up on the island’s shores; the Orango hotel scheduled a clean-up crew for the following week, which is not normally needed. Workers on the islands said many of the products seen among the trash — including bottled water and cosmetics — were not available in Guinea-Bissau and may have come from other parts of West Africa.

“The ocean knows no borders,” said Mr. Bamba.

A mad dash to the sea

Other than our individual tents, which were set up a few dozen feet from the beach, there were few other signs of human life. There is no cell reception.

But we were not alone. All along the beach lay thousands of buried turtle eggs. Every few steps there was another underground sea turtle hatchling family, the park workers told us. Many nests had markers, but not all. We walked gingerly.

The workers, many of whom are from the Bijagós Islands, not only count and monitor the hatchlings, but also help them make their way safely to the sea.

Even though the nests are just 20 or so feet from the ocean, the two-inch-long hatchlings are susceptible to many threats during their brief journey to the water — specifically birds, which wait in the nearby trees ready to snatch them.

We followed the workers throughout the early evening as they dug up nests — sometimes they were chest-deep in sand. They gathered dozens of just-hatched turtles into buckets and held them at the campsite until nightfall and high tide, when it was safer to release them.

A few hours later, in the darkness, the workers took the buckets of turtles back to the beach and let them go. All at once, a few hundred small hatchlings made their mad dash for the safety of the sea. Under the starlight, they used their small front flippers to quickly — and adorably — push their way through the sand to the water.

After the sea turtle release, we sat down for a fresh fish dinner, grilled over an open fire by the hotel staff. The park workers ate next to us, all of us using headlamps and flashlights in the dark.

A laptop, powered by solar panels, blasted a playlist of ’90s and early 2000s love ballads as our dinner soundtrack, giving the evening a surreal feel. It was just us, Usher, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and, beneath a few feet of sand, thousands of baby turtles waiting for their first swim through the waves.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

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Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Wildfire razes pinelands near top Cuba tourist town of Viñales

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Reporting by Nelson Acosta and Dave Sherwood; editing by Jonathan Oatis

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