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
Each of these birding destinations can be visited on one day tours from the Riviera Maya. The Riviera Maya is a great birder destination mainly because it makes it possible for the visitor to delight in its tourist facilities and relaxing hotels while going out on day trips to specialized birding sites. if you are a budget traveler then it will be a good idea to stay in rural areas although with less comfort but will be good as there are many birds
Below are some great ideas about the 6 best bird watching destinations which can be visited from the Riviera Maya
Sian Ka'an
For bird watchers, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is surely worthy of a visit as it has a list of 345 bird species. Because of the amazing variety of aquatic habitats, marine as well as wading birds are very well available. The species seen here represent 33% of all species recognized for the whole country of Mexico and 67% of those documented for the Yucatan Peninsula. Two-thirds of its species breed within the reserve.
Cozumel Island
This lovely island provides for habitat for exotic bird species as only 5-10% has been developed. Cozumel -which implies island of swallows - has dunes, mangroves and subtropical forests. 214 Species of birds are already documented of which 71% are residents and also 29% are migratory birds. Among the many most frequent kinds we find are egrets and herons, Magnificient Frigatebird, Black and Turkey Vultures, Osprey, Brown and American Pelican, sea swallows, parrots, fishing eagles and also tanagers. Special attention endemic species are the Cozumel Thrasher, the Cozumel Vireo, the Cozumel Wren, the Cozumel Great Curassow, which is highly endangered and the Cozumel Emerald - a species 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 largest botanical garden in Mexico is the Yaax Che Jardin Botanico del Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin. It's located south of Puerto Morelos. You will walk directly through the mangroves and enjoy a nature walk while seeing some lovely birds. Greater than 220 species happen to be discovered here and the garden has tree house lookouts for an a lot better birding 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
Punta Laguna is actually a small but interesting village wherein pigs and roosters are left to roam around and have the right of way and where you can smell the smoke from women making tasty tortillas over an open fire filters. Along with some four other villages, Punta Laguna is part of a 5,000 hectare, a nature reserve protected by the government referred to as Ma'ax Yetel Kooh. Along with the special subspecies of spider monkey that inhabits the region, the preserve is usually home to coatis, pumas, howler monkeys in addition to a significant variety of birds.
The very best way to take pleasure from your bird watching as well as natural history experience is to be with a local guide who has been educated to determine birds by their English names. This gives you to go to areas you never might have seen on all on your own.
For a nice and safe bird watching experience, contact Duende Tours to arrange a bird watching tour for you and for your family.
- Sian Kaan Reserve
- Cozumel Island
- Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
- Botanical Garden Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin
- Coba Ruins
- Punta Laguna
Each of these birding destinations can be visited on one day tours from the Riviera Maya. The Riviera Maya is a great birder destination mainly because it makes it possible for the visitor to delight in its tourist facilities and relaxing hotels while going out on day trips to specialized birding sites. if you are a budget traveler then it will be a good idea to stay in rural areas although with less comfort but will be good as there are many birds
Below are some great ideas about the 6 best bird watching destinations which can be visited from the Riviera Maya
Sian Ka'an
For bird watchers, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is surely worthy of a visit as it has a list of 345 bird species. Because of the amazing variety of aquatic habitats, marine as well as wading birds are very well available. The species seen here represent 33% of all species recognized for the whole country of Mexico and 67% of those documented for the Yucatan Peninsula. Two-thirds of its species breed within the reserve.
Cozumel Island
This lovely island provides for habitat for exotic bird species as only 5-10% has been developed. Cozumel -which implies island of swallows - has dunes, mangroves and subtropical forests. 214 Species of birds are already documented of which 71% are residents and also 29% are migratory birds. Among the many most frequent kinds we find are egrets and herons, Magnificient Frigatebird, Black and Turkey Vultures, Osprey, Brown and American Pelican, sea swallows, parrots, fishing eagles and also tanagers. Special attention endemic species are the Cozumel Thrasher, the Cozumel Vireo, the Cozumel Wren, the Cozumel Great Curassow, which is highly endangered and the Cozumel Emerald - a species 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 largest botanical garden in Mexico is the Yaax Che Jardin Botanico del Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin. It's located south of Puerto Morelos. You will walk directly through the mangroves and enjoy a nature walk while seeing some lovely birds. Greater than 220 species happen to be discovered here and the garden has tree house lookouts for an a lot better birding 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
Punta Laguna is actually a small but interesting village wherein pigs and roosters are left to roam around and have the right of way and where you can smell the smoke from women making tasty tortillas over an open fire filters. Along with some four other villages, Punta Laguna is part of a 5,000 hectare, a nature reserve protected by the government referred to as Ma'ax Yetel Kooh. Along with the special subspecies of spider monkey that inhabits the region, the preserve is usually home to coatis, pumas, howler monkeys in addition to a significant variety of birds.
The very best way to take pleasure from your bird watching as well as natural history experience is to be with a local guide who has been educated to determine birds by their English names. This gives you to go to areas you never might have seen on all on your own.
For a nice and safe bird watching experience, contact Duende Tours to arrange a bird watching tour for you and for your family.
About the Author:
Read more on birding here: traveling in Guatemala on the Birding. For nice birding trips in Mexico see Riviera Maya Birding.
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