One Of The Best Sites for Bird Watching in the Yucatan

Bird watching is very popular in Yucatan and countless people today go to the peninsula to observe birds as well as their natural habitat. You really do not need to be an expert to take pleasure in watching birds - and it's the best pastime for people of any age.

Regardless of whether you're intending to lie in your hammock with a great book as well as binoculars or join among the tours that take you to places where countless birds nest, your time spent birding in Yucatan is going to be something to recall.

Bird Watching in Yucatan

When it comes to Birding, Yucatan is definitely a place to be. During the migration periods lots of bird species get to the jungles and also wetlands. The top bird reserve, Sian Ka'an, is stated to host an incredible number of migratory birds alone.

Nevertheless, it is not just the migrating birds that made up the diversity. You will find over 546 species of birds who inhabit the zones in the Yucatan all year long, eleven of which are endemic (living only in Yucatan and no place else on earth). A number of these rare local species also bring the name of the region: the Bright Red Yucatan parrot, the Yucatan night-jar as well as the Yucatan wren.

Yucatan Bird Watching Destinations

Many of the first rate destinations in Yucatan with regards to birding are The Sian Ka'an Biosphere reserve, Celestun, Rio Lagartos as well as Isla Contoy.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere

The Sian Ka'an Biosphere reserve is found a few miles south of Tulum, Mexico and a little over 40 miles south of Playa Del Carmen resort. You will find many small hotels on the shoreline, consequently accommodations are relatively easy to find all year round.

This large reserve encompasses more than 1.3 million acres of land, lagoons, cenotes, tropical rain forests, mangrove swamps and wetlands. It was designed to protect not just the native species of birds, but also over 1200 other species of animals - reptiles, insects and also mammals.

There are over 360 species of birds that roost in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere, and for nature lovers you will find non-profit community birding tours. The groups can be big or small, with the smallest group being formed when no less than two individuals would like to take the tour. Some of the birds which are easiest to see are ibises, vultures, herons and orioles, and so forth.
Celestun

Celestun is found about 45 minutes drive from Merida. It's a small fishing village, however there are a few basic hotels where you can remain. Aside from that, Eco Paraiso Xixim, a beautiful 280-room Eco-resort is just 6 miles north of Celestun.

One of the species of birds that may be seen in this area is the pink flamingo, with its numbers being largest from March through August. Various other birds, including snowy egrets and herons can also be seen, especially if you take a tour with one of the fishing boats.

The Rio Lagartos Biosphere reserve

The Rio Lagartos Biosphere reserve is situated on the Yucatan's northern Caribbean coast, five miles north of Valladolid and about an hour away from Chichen Itza. Right here you'll find the largest colony of pink flamingos - over 40,000 flamingos call this place home. Together with the flamingos which occupy other places around Celestun, the reserve houses over 90% of the world's population of pink flamingos throughout the cold months of winter.

Isla Contoy

Isla Contoy is situated just 18 miles north of Isla Mujeres and is a national park. It's a bird sanctuary and one of the top locations for birding in Yucatan. There is a limit on how many visitors can visit Isla Contoy daily, therefore if you're serious in going to this place, ensure you join a great getaway where all arrangements are made to suit your needs.

The birds you can observe on Isla Contoy are generally marine birds, including the double-crested cormorant, the frigate, as well as the brown pelican. You may also see birds which nest on this island.

Exploring Yucatan Peninsula

You could opt to see one or all of these birding destinations in Yucatan. Set up your journey and don't forget about great shoes, long distance scopes and insect repellent if you're visiting an area with marshy wetlands and jungle.

Further information are available at our Bird Watching Tours page.