Flamingo sightseeing in Yucatan

If you want to get to know the unique flora and fauna of Mexico, you should definitely plan a visit to the small fishing towns of Celestún or Río Lagartos on the Yucatán Peninsula. Here are some tips on flamingo sightseeing in Yucatan.

Flamingo sightseeing in Yucatan: Celestún

Celestún is located west of Mérida on the Yucatán coast and offers a true paradise for nature lovers with its mangrove biosphere reserve and resident flamingos. The small fishing town is manageable, but in the meantime smaller hotels and guesthouses have settled there, because it attracts many tourists who want to see the flamingos. It is possible to make a day trip from the city of Mérida, but it is recommended to spend at least one night in Celestún, in order to get on one of the many boats at the harbor in the morning and make a 3 to 5 hour tour. The local boat drivers can often tell the most amazing stories about the country and the people.

Ecotourism at Celestún

Often, however, also due to the many many tourists who now come, motorboats are used, which negatively affect the ecosystem. However, everything is still within limits and people attach great importance to sustainable and ecological tourism. If you want to support this, you are in particularly good hands at the Hotel Eco Paraíso Xixim. The hotel is located a little away from the water and is interested in existing in harmony with nature. It has also joined in 2004 an initiative of fishermen who also promote ecotourism: Manglares de Dzinitún. So you can see that there is a real emphasis on ensuring that tourism does not destroy anything.

Flamingo sightseeing in Yucatan: Rio Lagartos

An insider tip on the other hand is the village of Río Lagartos further northeast on the Yucatán Peninsula. The nature reserve there is also home to a large colony of Cuban flamingos. These are particularly striking with their dark pink plumage in large numbers and provide the perfect subject for photos. In addition, there are over 100 other bird species such as pelicans or eagles, also turtles or even occasional crocodiles!

The best month to see the flamingos is in April or May. In Río Lagartos the chance to see many of these graceful birds is even higher, because the water levels in dry periods are often higher there than in Celestún or Progreso.

You should take cash with you: there is no bank in Rio Lagartos. If you like to eat fish, you will find a culinary paradise there. It is recommended to arrive by rental car via Tizimín, because the infrastructure is not yet really geared to tourism.