BIRDWATCHING SAFARI

Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is considered one of the worlds best bird watching sites, and this Birding Safari will take you to the most beautiful and pristine Biosphere Reserve of this region, Rio Lagartos. Birding lovers will be amazed with the number and variety of exotic species that can be found in this amazingly beautiful location, home of the largest population of flamingos of the peninsula.

Follow our local birding expert who will be there to enhance your birdwatching experience with his sharp eye and knowledge of the area. Spot local endemic species as Ocellated Turkey, Yucatan Poor Will, Red Vented Woodpecker or the Yucatan flycatcher.

Among the non-endemic species you can also encounter during this journey are the Wood Stork, Jabiru, Olive throated Parakeet, Brown Pelican, Ibis and Blue Winged Teal just to name a few of the more than 370 species found in the boundaries of this magnificent reserve.

Road of discoveries
Although the highlight of this expedition are the birds, you will certainly enjoy the ride there, admiring the changes in vegetation and the quaint little Mayan villages along the highway. Fall in love with the charm of Rio Lagartos, a fisherman village on the coast with narrow streets, colorful little houses and boats.

Guided wetland and mangrove bird watching
The birding expedition starts at Peten Tucha trail, the peten is an ecological island very important component of the wetland ecosystem which contributes to the marsh biodiversity. Hike inside the jungle and find different species of birds as Crested Caracaca, Laughing falcon, Yucatan Jay, Ruby Throated Humming Bird, Turquoise Browed MotMot and Vermilion Flycatcher.

At the end of the trail we reach a beautiful cenote (sink hole) surrounded by nature where you can spot crocodiles and Freshwater Cormorants. Climb the wildlife viewing tower for a panoramic search of Crested Caracaras, Laughing Falcons, Zone-tailed Hawk or Turkey Vultures.

Delight your senses
Enjoy the beautiful coastal spectacle while you delight with an appetizing fresh fish or chicken lunch in a quaint local restaurant. Tasty food, friendly atmosphere and pink flamingos that can appear anywhere!

Birding estuary exploration

A board a small shaded vessel we will explore the remotes parts of the estuary of Rio Lagartos. Our expert birding guide will help you to find and interact with the different coastal birds that populate the mangroves and lagoons. Admire species such as Bare Throated Tiger Heron, Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Osprey, American White Pelican and of course the spectacular scenery of flocks of Greater Flamingos that have chosen this area as nesting grounds.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

With increasing awareness of the importance of environmental protection the Mexican Government is working hard at promoting sustainable tourism in the wonderful diverse ecology of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Protours Mexico sutainable tourism projects offers guided tours for private groups of up to 12 people, for birdwatching and eco adventures. With the expert guidance of the local bilingual guides we will take you on a journey to experience a bird watchers and adventure paradise of the Yucatan Peninsula and beyond.

Within this lush landscapes, protected biospheres, and natures reserves you may catch a glimpse of an Ocellated Turkey, a Great Curassow, a brilliantly colored Parrot, Toucan or Trogan. A White Ibis, a Roseate Spoonbill, a Jabiru, a Pink Flamingo or one of the 15 species of Heron, Egrets and Bittern.

The Yucatan Peninsula is home of 546 species of birds with 11 endemic species. Not only this but many of the same reserves you will visit are also home to the Jaguar, Pumas, Ocelots, Margays, Spiders, Howler Monkeys, Tapirs, White lipped and collared Peccaries, Manatees, brocket and White Tailed Deer, Crocodiles, Loggerhead, Hawkbill and leatherback Turtles.

Not only will this journey take you into the natural world of the Yucatan but we will also take you back in time, to the world of the Mayans. As we include visits to some of the spectacular ruins that are located throughout the region.

Ruins that have been carefully restored with the tireless and on going efforts of the archaeologists, who have created long lost and forgotten, majestic cities of pyramids and temples. Retaining back this splendor from the jungle that for centuries devoured them.

The spine tingling atmospheres of Chichen Itza and Uxmal can recreate to the imaginative mind a glimpse back into the past of the once great civilization of the Mayan Empire.

On our journey to those wonderful ruins we still pass through the back country and visit the many Mayan villages that still thrive with life and continue the traditional practices. So that we can see the reality of this civilization that is still around and thriving to this day. You will see the Mayan ladies weaving their traditional embroidered pristine white dresses. And you may wish to stop and admire or purchase their handicrafts.

To add to this we will include side trips to visit and swim in the wonderful pristine waters of the many cenotes within the area. A swim in a cenote, a natural underground pool that heals, refresh and gives you a memorable experience of the world beneath our feet!

We offer options of customized tours for your groups or we provide a set itinerary and of course no trip like this would be complete without a dip in the Caribbean sea, so expect a snorkeling trip to an idyllic area that offers the best of the second largest coral reef in the world.

PHOTO SAFARI

Protours Mexico Photo Safari is designed to give amateurs or professional photographers the opportunity to capture magical moments of the majestic wildlife of one of the most beautiful biosphere reserves in the Yucatan Peninsula. You will be accompanied by an expert wildlife photographer who will help you to take the best shots of this extraordinary location.

Visit the wetlands home of white tailed deers, crocodiles, jaguars and spider monkeys. Climb the panoramic tower and get the best scenery shots of this nature reserve. Take a break to savor delicious seafood in a local restaurant. Continue on board a small boat and explore mangroves and get as close as possible to an amazing site of great flocks of pink American flamingos that have chosen this area to feed and reproduce.

Briefing and presentation

This exciting journey starts at the moment of pick up where you will be given a presentation of the photo expedition and a briefing about the great photographic opportunities that await you.

Wetland and jungle exploration

Start this safari walking through pristine wetlands, marsh and tropical forest habitat of a wide diversity of endemic and endangered. Take the opportunity to do macro photo shootings of diverse plant and insect species. Finish this jungle hike in a beautiful water spring surrounded by nature and a panoramic tower from where you can take world class bird’s-eye shots of this stunning landscape.

Lunch with a view

Enjoy the beautiful coastal spectacle while you delight with an appetizing fresh seafood lunch in a quaint local restaurant. Tasty food, friendly atmosphere and pink flamingos that can appear anywhere!

Estuary expedition

Venture aboard a small boat through canals of mangroves and take pictures of great diversity of wildlife species such as white and brown pelicans, herons, ibises, wood stork, morelet's crocodiles, cormorants and of course the breathtaking spectacle of flocks of flamingos painting the blue sky a shadow of pink. The landscape of pink lakes and biodiversity provides a once in a life time photo moments. You will be amazed with the outcome of your shoots!

BIRDING YUCATAN

Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is considered one of the worlds best bird watching sites. The area is characterized by such diverse eco-systems as pristine white beaches, shallow mangrove lined water estuaries, and tropical rain forests all of which are home to a great variety of birds. The Yucatan bird list contains over half of all of Mexico’s bird species plus a surprisingly high percentage of endemic birds. Our guided tour itineraries represent the best birding sites that the area has to offer:

Coastal Explorer

This field trip takes you to the coastal wetlands of the Yucatan Gulf coast. We board a small shaded boat that will take us to the more remote parts of the estuaries including Isla Pajaros, a protected wildlife sanctuary. Of the 520 bird species known to exist in the Yucatan at least 155 feed, nest or rest here some time during the year. Exploring the coastal mangroves we are likely to find frigate birds, white ibis, snowy egrets, double crested cormorants, reddish egrets, roseate spoonbills, white pelicans, gray pelicans, boat billed herons, the occasional wood stork, and of course flamingos.

Jungle Explorer

After a short ride by multi-terrain vehicle and a brief walk through the rain forest we enter the protected area of Yum Balam. Here we change into kayaks to enter the floating jungle and to listen to the sounds of the jungle. This area is a bird watchers paradise as it is home to many exotic species, such as Ocellated Turkey, Crested Caracara, Laughing Falcon, White-fronted Parrot, Olive-throated Parakeet, Squirrel Cuckoo, Pygmy-owl, Violaceous Trogon, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Great Kiskadee, Masked Tityra, Yucatan Jay and many more.

See some video of this fantastic adventure:

CANDID CAMERA

The floating jungle area represents a very special eco-system in Mexico: it is the only floating corch jungle in the country, the most Northern in the world, and also habitat to a variety of exotic animals.

To find out more about which animals live here we installed heat sensitive digital night cameras. Every week we enjoy great surprises, but just this past week we were elated: photo evidence of a magnificent and healthy Mexican Puma!

One of the rarest animals in the rain forest. Pumas as well as jaguars and ocelots roam the forest during this time looking for food and water. As part of our ongoing observation and conversation we monitor wild life regularly.

GOING DUTCH

We at PROTOURS MEXICO are very happy to “go Dutch” – welcoming our newest guide from the land of the tulips. Her name is Floor, she speaks four languages, and wants to show off our fantastic wild life to people from all over the world. “It’s a dream come true for me to work with PROTOURS in México’s nature. Our safaris are second to none, and I love being out in the rain forest with guests showing them our wild life” says Floor.

PROTOURS safaris are guided by professionally trained experts who speak the native language of our guests. All excursions are private tours of the highest quality to locations which are away from the common touristy sites.

“My favorite safari is the Floating Jungle, because we see so much. There you experience three types of jungle vegetation, I don’t know of any other location where that is possible. Last week we even had a family of spider monkeys visiting, what a rush that was” says Floor.

And we say “Welkom in Mexico” to Floor.

CROCODILE SAFARI

Come with us on a croc hunt with a paddle! This time you won’t be one of the usual stereotypical tourists laying lazily on the beaches, you will be tracking wild animals! During this adventure in one of the world's largest Biosphere Reserves you will encounter an array of different species within its jungle of tangled mangroves, enchanting lagoons and freshwater bays.

From jaguars, spider monkeys to a multitude of diverse bird types and... an increasing population of American crocs! So make sure you take at least a day to explore this paradise, lost in the Mayan undergrowth. Together we will uncover its treasures!

Your guide will lead you through the canals encircled with a thriving vegetation of orchids, mangroves and tropical plant life, on a hair-raising crocodile trek, where you will get within snapping range. The guides will answer any questions you may have as you silently penetrate through the mangroves on the look out for alligators! A real treasure hunt on water!

An extraordinary chance to participate first hand with these exciting, instructive close up croc encounters, as you drift along in a background of jungle music. Make sure you don't pass up on this adventure. Book now and don't miss your rendezvous with the crocs. We will be waiting for you, and so will... they!

Book now: www.protoursmexico.com