Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is a large limestone shield, protruding into the Gulf of Mexico and the clear, blue Caribbean Sea. Being surrounded by water on three sides, and having very little topographical relief, the Yucatan has very distinct habitats: and, therefore, some very distinct birds. In fact, much of the Peninsula’s wildlife cannot be seen anywhere else. On this short tour, which can be taken in conjunction with our fantastic Cuba tours, we will visit the best birding sites on the peninsula, thereby maximising our potential to see the special birds and wildlife of this beautiful region within spectacular surrounds. Furthermore, this tour is conducted at a very relaxed pace and promises to be a very enjoyable birding and cultural adventure!
Yucatan Amazon; Yucatan Bobwhite; Yucatan Poorwill; Yucatan Nightjar; Yucatan, Velasquez’s & Pale-billed Woodpeckers; Yucatan Jay; Yucatan Flycatcher; Yucatan, Mangrove & Cozumel Vireos; Yucatan Wren; Orange Oriole; Cozumel Emerald; Grey-throated Chat; Mayan Antthrush; Ocellated Turkey (rare); Rose-throated Tanager; Wedge-tailed Sabrewing; White-bellied Emerald; Lesser Roadrunner; White-crowned Pigeon; Caribbean Dove; Black Catbird; Caribbean Elaenia; Mexican Sheartail; Grey-crowned Yellowthroat; Rose-throated Tanager; Rufous-necked Wood Rail; Turquoise-browed Motmot; Black-headed & Gartered Trogons; Yellow-billed Cacique; several North American wood warblers. Likely future splits include White-browed Wren (Carolina); Aztec Parakeet (Olive-throated); Ridgeway’s Rough-winged Swallow (Northern); Yucatan Swift (Vaux's); Cozumel Wren (House); Cozumel Spindalis (Western).
Yucatan Black Howler Monkey; Yucatan Squirrel; Pygmy (Cozumel) Raccoon (very rare) & Morelet's Crocodile.
semi-deciduous and humid forest, shoreline, waterways, wetlands, archaeological ruins, mangroves, dry woodlands, savanna
warm to hot and humid
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
relaxed
comfortable
mostly easy with some tougher species
180
ancient Mayan ruins, beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, great people, interesting culture, excellent food
good +
Thanks again to the team at the office for setting up this trip. It was a great success. Adams experience as a guide really showed through. He was very knowledgeable regarding birds and other wildlife and also handled all the logistics smoothly. The local guides were extremely skilled brothers and were a great addition to the group. The accommodations and food were excellent. I will be using Rockjumper again in the future.
David was brilliant, as usual, and the Mexican guides were also exceptional, making for a really good tour. Great country, fabulous birds, would like to go back.
"We are pleased to report on our recent Rockjumper birding adventure after spending four weeks (March 22 - April 17) exploring many of Mexico’s best birding sites during back-to-back trips to the states of Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas. We were guided by Rockjumper’s Adam Walleyn and his local contact, Eric. Adam guided us in previous trips to Papua New Guinea, Madagascar, Cuba, Jamaica and Dominican Republic, and we have always been impressed by his worldwide birding expertise and his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, all wildlife. Eric (a Mexican, living in Oaxaca, and fluent in English) has intimate knowledge of literally every bird species that resides in or migrates through Mexico - over 900 species. We slept well and ate extravagantly. Our drivers did an outstanding job of driving safely and minimizing the discomforts of numerous speed bumps and potholes. We birded in a diversity of landscapes that varied from sea level (during a morning coastal/pelagic cruise), to a mangrove forest, to desert scrub and to cloud forests where elevations were over 8000 feet. The highlight of our trip was, of course, the wildlife. We recorded a total of almost 500 bird species during the three trips - 20 of those were heard only. But with Eric’s guidance we had an exceptional opportunity to absorb Mexican culture. We visited ancient stone ruins, enjoyed delicious meals in small village homes (fincas) of farmers and coffee growers, and were pleased to view the products of skilled woodworkers and potters. Adam and Eric did their best to ensure that everyone in our diverse group saw every bird that we encountered. Everyday we were amazed by their skill in spotting and hearing birds and getting their scopes on the birds so that all could see. Their warmth and passion were felt and appreciated by all. We never felt threatened or insecure during our month-long trip. Mask wearing in Mexico is a law with near 100% compliance, including outdoors (our group complied when outside the van). We had no heath issues associated with food and drinks. "
Our trip, a long time in the waiting, was nothing short of a triumph. David led us again with passion, interest and focus. Jorge, our local guide. and his wife Amy who joined us were a triumph leading us to, and putting us on many many lifers. The travel arrangements were well made, the hotels were comfortable and the meals copious. Our first trip to Mexico will most certainly not be our last. Roll on the Yucatan!
Tour Leader: Mark Beevers
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD4,000 * GBP3,227 * EUR3,767 * AUD6,277
Mexico - Chiapas 2023 - April 2023
Mexico - Oaxaca 2023 - March 2023
Mexico - Veracruz & Eastern Sierras Extension 2023 - March 2023
Mexico - Yucatan Extension 2023 - March 2023
Mexico - Chiapas 2022 - April 2022
Mexico - Browne 2022 - April 2022
Mexico - Oaxaca 2022 - March 2022
Mexico - Veracruz & Eastern Sierras Extension 2022 - March 2022
Mexico - Oaxaca 2018 - April 2018
Mexico - Starr - Yucatan Extension 2016 - March 2016
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