Chiapas birding tours
Whether from Tuxtla Gutierrez or Tapachula, here you have great single-day options for birding with local guides who can help you find your targets. Any of the following options is characterized by its unique high and forestry ecosystem, which are the perfect conditions to find endemic, semi-endemic, and very special bird species. Read your options carefully, each tour has its unique scenic, climate, and adventure factor to satisfy every birder's needs.
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Birding along Cañon del Sumidero
A few minutes from Tuxtla Gutierrez, there´s the high and impressive Sumidero Canyon. The Grijalva River, in its button, extends through a large extension of low forest, making it ideal for species such as the Blue-and-White Mockingbird, the Singing Quail, and the Lesser Roadrunner; there are also significant sections of bamboo, where the Belted Flycatcher is located. The tour is towards the north of Tuxtla, with stops at the 5 viewpoints at the highest part of the canyon, which can be more than 1000 meters high.
Our birding tour begins driving around 40 minutes uphill to the first viewpoint called La Ceiba. From this point, the majestic views of the canyon open up in front of us and there´s a high chance of seeing the Banded Wren and the Streak-backed Oriole. We will spend enough time on this and the following viewpoints to observe magnificent representative birds of the area and many special birds of the Sumidero Cayon like the Fan-tailed Warbler, the Russet-crowned Motmot, the White-lored Gnatcatcher, the Red-breasted Chat, the Bar-winged Oriole and the Slender Sheartail. Each viewpoint is over the same road a few minutes away from the other, even higher in altitude than the previous one.
Pick-up time: 50 minutes before sunrise
Drop-off time: Around noon
Number of birds we can see in the morning: 50 - 60 species
Vegetation types visited: low forest, riparian vegetation, and some bamboo sections.
Tour style: Almost stationary on every viewpoint, close to the car. Consider de changes in altitude.
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El Ocote Natural Reserve
Departing from Tuxtla Gutierrez, around one-hour drive west, is Armando Zebadua, a town situated at an elevation of 900 meters above sea level. This location is particularly noteworthy for its limestone outcrops, which host unique plant species typically found in humid evergreen forests, making it an ideal habitat for the Navas Wren. This endemic species is almost only found here and in very few places in Veracruz.
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This area, corresponding to the El Ocote jungle Natural Reserve, is known for sightings of the Smoky-brown Woodpecker and the Slate-colored Solitaire. Furthermore, along the roadside, there is a blend of local vegetation characteristic of humid jungles, offering opportunities to spot the Yellow-winged Tanager and the Stripe-tailed Hummingbird; there are also great chances to see the Rufous-breasted Spinetail, the Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, the Black-faced Grosbeak, the Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, the Green Shrike Vireo and the Fawn-throated Foliage-gleaner.
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Pick up time: 60 minutes before sunrise
Drop off time: Around noon
Number of birds we can see in the morning: 60 - 70 species
Vegetation types visited: Humid forest, jungle
Tour style: Tour suitable for every birder and photographer. Short walks near the car.
Make this half-day tour into a full-day tour. Near Armando Zebadua, a little less than an hour away, there is a natural park called Sima de las Cotorras, an amazing area with a geological depression and a habitat of hundreds of Green Parakeets and many other birds that can be seen in the surrounding areas.
Tacana Volcano
This tour starts from Tapachula, driving uphill the Chiapas Sierra to a small town called Chiquihuites that is located 90 minutes driving. From there, start our foot transportation to the Horned Guan Camp. It is located 2181 meters over the sea level with a generally cool and humid climate from the Rainy Forests. It is a 4 to 5-hour walking distance, at a “birding” pace. It will be important to consider a mid to well physical condition to walk uprise the volcano hill. There is a high chance of facing the Pink-headed Warbler, Blue-and-White Mockingbird, Guatemalan Tyrannulet, Horned Guan, and the Resplendent Quetzal.
It is highly recommended to stay the night at the place to have greater chances to see the Guan. In case you only have time for a single-day tour, it is enough to have all the specialties of the area like the Long-billed Starthroat, the Green-throated Mountaingem, the Rufous Sabrewing, the Wine-throated Hummingbird, the Mountain Thrush, the Black-capped Siskin, the Black-throated Jay, and the Rufous-browed Wren.
Pick-up time: 60 minutes before sunrise
Drop-off time: Afternoon
Number of birds we can see in the morning: 60 - 70 species
Vegetation types visited: Rain forest, cloud forest.
Tour style: This day's journey primarily involves uphill walking, so it's advisable to wear suitable clothes and footwear for outdoor conditions, and cool and humid weather. Take into consideration the change of elevation and physical effort.
Two-day option: Horned Guan Camp
In case you decide to stay for the next day for greater chances to see the Horned Guan, which has been reported in the same spot over the last few years. Begin the day birding at the camp early in the morning. We will keep on searching for the Horned Guan and the Quetzal in case they have not been spotted. Then, continue checking out the other species up in the highlands, and then by noon, start making our way down to Chiquihuites.
La Encrucijada Natural Reserve
​El Castaño is a coastal town surrounded by mangroves and situated near the Biosphere Natural Reserve La Encrusijada. What makes this place so special is its great biodiversity associated with the mangrove forest, which is the tallest in this country. This is why this place was chosen by one of the most beautiful herons: the Agami Heron.
Characterized by a hot and humid climate, the area boasts a rich and diverse vegetation, making it the perfect environment for bird species like the Giant Wren, the White-bellied Chachalaca, the Pacific Parakeet, the Spot-breasted oriole, the Yellow-naped Parrot, and many other special birds.
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If you decide to stay the night Centro Ecoturistico Costa Verde, there are high chances of hearing and seeing the Northern Potoo and the Pacific Screech-Owl.
​​The boat trip starts from the eco-touristic place, Costa Verde. We will sail deep into the Mangroove crossing the San Nicolas River for around one and half hours to look for special aquatic bird species like the Agami, the Sungrebe, the Bare-throated Tiger Heron, and the nocturnal ​Boat-billed Heron.
Pick-up time: A few minutes before sunrise
Drop-off time: Around noon
Number of birds we can see in the morning: 60 - 70 species
Vegetation types visited: Lowland forest, riparian vegetation, and Mangrove forest.
Tour style: Short walks near the car and a1.5 hr boat trip.
