There are actually more bird species found in Mexico compared to Canada, USA and Hawaii. One of the best birding site in Mexico is the Yucatan Peninsula. There are actually 548 diverse bird species which include endemic varieties plus more birds during the winter season as more birds come to Mexico as it is a warm region. The Yucatan gives fantastic Bird Watching all year long due to its subtropical position. Here are the most famous bird watching sites near the Riviera Maya:
- Sian Kaan Reserve
- Cozumel Island
- Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
- Botanical Garden Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin
- Coba Ruins
- Punta Laguna
All of these birding spots could be seen on one day tours from the Riviera Maya. The Riviera Maya is a superb birder destination because it enables visitors to appreciate its tourist facilities as well as comfy hotels while heading out on day trips to specific birding sites. If you are in a budget, then you can choose to stay in rural areas with less comfort but with loads of birds
Below are some great ideas about the 6 best bird watching destinations which can be visited from the Riviera Maya
Sian Ka'an
The Sian Ka'an Biosphere is truly well worth a visit by bird enthusiasts as it has a list of 345 bird species. Due to its outstanding diversity of aquatic habitats, marine as well as wading birds are very well represented. The species seen here represent 33% of all species identified for the whole country of Mexico and 67% of those reported for the Yucatan Peninsula. Two-thirds of its species breed in the reserve.
Cozumel Island
There are plenty of habitats for exotic bird species as only 5% to 10% of this beautiful island has been developed. Cozumel -which signifies island of swallows - has mangroves, subtropical forests and dunes. 214 bird species happen to be listed of which 71% are residents as well as 29% are migratory birds. Among the list of most typical varieties we find are egrets and herons, Magnificient Frigatebird, Black and Turkey Vultures, Osprey, Brown and American Pelican, fishing eagle, parrots, sea swallows as well as tanagers. Cozumel Thrasher, Cozumel Vireo, Cozumel Wren, Cozumel Great Curassow are special attention species which are highly endangered plus the Cozumel Emerald which is a specie of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family.
Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
Another outstanding site for bird watching is the Rio Lagartos as it has a total of 141 resident bird species and 72 migratory ones. The reserve helps to protect an area covering roughly 120,000 acres of protected land, composed of coastal dune vegetation, mangrove forest, low deciduous forest, savannas and hummocks. The reserve is renowned for its massive groups of Greater Flamingoes given that the area is a vital nesting site for this species. Birding tours can be carried out by boat though trails are also available.
Botanical Garden Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin
The 150-acre Yaax Che Jardn Botnico del Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marn is known to be the largest botanical garden found in Mexico. It is based south of Puerto Morelos. For sure you will enjoy a nature walk which directly goes through the mangroves to see some lovely birds. Greater than 220 species happen to be discovered here and the garden has tree house lookouts for an much better bird watching experience.
Coba Ruins
Definitely the only Mayan ruins dating back to the Classical period in Quintana Roo, the place is definitely worth a visit in itself. Pyramids, temples as well as other structures are build wide apart and the park is of tremendous dimensions with plenty of forest for exceptional birding. The site was build alongside a lagoon and so offers habitats for both terrestrial as well as aquatic bird life.
Punta Laguna
A small Mayan village called Punta Laguna is a place where pigs and roosters can freely roam around and have the right of way and you can smell the smoke from tortillas being made by women over an open fire filters through the thatched roofs of their houses. Along with some four other villages, Punta Laguna is part of a 5,000 hectare, a nature reserve protected by the government known as Ma'ax Yetel Kooh. Besides the distinctive subspecies of spider monkey which inhabits the region, the preserve is additionally house to pumas, coatis, howler monkeys as well as a considerable assortment of birds.
The most effective way to take pleasure in your bird watching and also natural history experience is to be accompanied by a local guide who has been taught to distinguish birds with their English names. This allows you to check out spots you never would've located on your own.
Consider contacting Duende Tours for an arranged bird watching tours in the Mayan World.
- Sian Kaan Reserve
- Cozumel Island
- Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
- Botanical Garden Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin
- Coba Ruins
- Punta Laguna
All of these birding spots could be seen on one day tours from the Riviera Maya. The Riviera Maya is a superb birder destination because it enables visitors to appreciate its tourist facilities as well as comfy hotels while heading out on day trips to specific birding sites. If you are in a budget, then you can choose to stay in rural areas with less comfort but with loads of birds
Below are some great ideas about the 6 best bird watching destinations which can be visited from the Riviera Maya
Sian Ka'an
The Sian Ka'an Biosphere is truly well worth a visit by bird enthusiasts as it has a list of 345 bird species. Due to its outstanding diversity of aquatic habitats, marine as well as wading birds are very well represented. The species seen here represent 33% of all species identified for the whole country of Mexico and 67% of those reported for the Yucatan Peninsula. Two-thirds of its species breed in the reserve.
Cozumel Island
There are plenty of habitats for exotic bird species as only 5% to 10% of this beautiful island has been developed. Cozumel -which signifies island of swallows - has mangroves, subtropical forests and dunes. 214 bird species happen to be listed of which 71% are residents as well as 29% are migratory birds. Among the list of most typical varieties we find are egrets and herons, Magnificient Frigatebird, Black and Turkey Vultures, Osprey, Brown and American Pelican, fishing eagle, parrots, sea swallows as well as tanagers. Cozumel Thrasher, Cozumel Vireo, Cozumel Wren, Cozumel Great Curassow are special attention species which are highly endangered plus the Cozumel Emerald which is a specie of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family.
Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
Another outstanding site for bird watching is the Rio Lagartos as it has a total of 141 resident bird species and 72 migratory ones. The reserve helps to protect an area covering roughly 120,000 acres of protected land, composed of coastal dune vegetation, mangrove forest, low deciduous forest, savannas and hummocks. The reserve is renowned for its massive groups of Greater Flamingoes given that the area is a vital nesting site for this species. Birding tours can be carried out by boat though trails are also available.
Botanical Garden Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin
The 150-acre Yaax Che Jardn Botnico del Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marn is known to be the largest botanical garden found in Mexico. It is based south of Puerto Morelos. For sure you will enjoy a nature walk which directly goes through the mangroves to see some lovely birds. Greater than 220 species happen to be discovered here and the garden has tree house lookouts for an much better bird watching experience.
Coba Ruins
Definitely the only Mayan ruins dating back to the Classical period in Quintana Roo, the place is definitely worth a visit in itself. Pyramids, temples as well as other structures are build wide apart and the park is of tremendous dimensions with plenty of forest for exceptional birding. The site was build alongside a lagoon and so offers habitats for both terrestrial as well as aquatic bird life.
Punta Laguna
A small Mayan village called Punta Laguna is a place where pigs and roosters can freely roam around and have the right of way and you can smell the smoke from tortillas being made by women over an open fire filters through the thatched roofs of their houses. Along with some four other villages, Punta Laguna is part of a 5,000 hectare, a nature reserve protected by the government known as Ma'ax Yetel Kooh. Besides the distinctive subspecies of spider monkey which inhabits the region, the preserve is additionally house to pumas, coatis, howler monkeys as well as a considerable assortment of birds.
The most effective way to take pleasure in your bird watching and also natural history experience is to be accompanied by a local guide who has been taught to distinguish birds with their English names. This allows you to check out spots you never would've located on your own.
Consider contacting Duende Tours for an arranged bird watching tours in the Mayan World.
About the Author:
Read more on birding here: traveling in Guatemala on the Birding. For nice birding trips in Mexico see Riviera Maya Birding.
