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Cozumel to Calakmul: Southern Peninsula Route

A 5-day multi-day expedition through key forest and coastal habitats of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Pre-congress tour

Our tours are tailored to complement the XXIX International Ornithological Congress ® Mexico 2026 activities. This pre-congress excursion departs from Cancún, taking advantage of the city’s accessibility for most international flights. Our services include transportation from hotels or the airport in Cancún to the various tour destinations, concluding in Mérida in time for the congress.

This option does not include coastal areas, so it is recommended that participants of this pre-tour also join one of the congress birdwatching activities to observe coastal species. Its main advantage is that visiting Calakmul provides access to a wide variety of species from high forest and sub-evergreen habitats, which are limited in other regions and also very high chances to see Ocellated Turkey.

Departing from Cancun this tour leads you to this

main birding spots:

  • Cozumel Island

  • Muyil/ Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

  • Calakmul

  • Mamantel/Hampolol wetlands

Merida is the final destination, right on time to attend IO Congress Inauguration.

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Western Spindalis Birding Mexico
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Day 1: Pick up 

​We will pick you up at Cancun airport and transfer to the hotel in Playa del Carmen. Depending on your arrival time we can plan to go birding in the evening to try some crepuscular and nocturnal birds. We will have dinner together and will review the itinerary of the trip and answer any questions you may have.

Day 2: Cozumel 

On this day we will travel by ferry to the amazing island of Cozumel, where we will explore all day in the forest, mangroves and coastal dunes. The Cozumel Emerald, Cozumel Vireo and Cozumel Wren will be our main objectives, but the island is home of many more species, as well as endemic subspecies and interesting Caribbean specialties. We will have our meals in the Island, and then we will return to Playa del Carmen where we will spend the night.

Day 3: Sian Ka’an Reserve

We head to Muyil, the Sian Ka’an Reserve. We’ll walk through the village and the surrounding forest for about an hour and a half, exploring habitats with flowering and fruiting plants. Birds here include the Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, Lineated Woodpecker, Blue-gray Tanager, Yellow-winged Tanager, Squirrel Cuckoo, Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, and Black-headed Trogon, among others. 

Then, we will visit the archaeological site within the reserve to observe the structures of the ancient coastal trading city of Muyil. This is a protected area with taller trees home to other special species of the area such as the Golden-olive Woodpecker, Ruddy Woodcreeper, Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Gartered and Collared Trogon, Lesson’s Motmot, Collared Forest Falcon, White-crowned Pigeon, Red-throated and Red-crowned Ant-tanager. 

We will drive to the Calakmul area and sleep there after finding Northern Potoo. 

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Day 4: Calakmul

We'll be searching for many species, including several endemics of the Yucatan Biogeographic region. A highlight is the Ocellated Turkey, a truly amazing bird and our primary target. We can also expect to find other endemics like the Yucatan Jay, Woodpecker, and Flycatcher, as well as the Yellow-lored Parrot and Rose-throated Tanager. Other possible sightings include the Collared Aracari, Keel-billed Toucan, White-bellied Wren, Russet-naped Wood Rail, Blue Bunting, Gray-throated Chat, Red-capped Manakin, Caribbean Dove, Mayan Anthrush, Great Curassow, Thicket Tinamou, and Ornate Hawk-Eagle. We will pay attention to the woodcreepers in the area, such as the Olivaceous, Tawny-winged, Ivory-billed, Ruddy, and Northern Barred Woodcreeper. ​

After birding along the road, we'll arrive at the archaeological site. Here, we'll have the opportunity to find some amazing birds while also learning about the history of this important Mayan city. As we walk along the path to the main pyramids, we will search for birds like the Singing Quail, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Crested Guan, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Northern Bentbill, Stub-tailed Spadebill, Bat Falcon, and others.

Day 5- Campeche
Mamantel river and Hampolol wetlands

Drop off in Merida.

The main birding activity will be in the Mamantel area in a boat trip searching for the Sungrebe, but with chances for several other interesting birds like Crane Hawk, Ringed Kingfisher, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Russet-naped Wood Rail and with luck Yellow-Headed Parrot. We will start driving to Merida, with a short stop in Hampolol Wetlands, always good for migrant warblers, herons, sometimes amazing raptors like Grey-headed Kite and Black-collared Hawk.

 Drop off at congress for registration or hotel. 

Price and Reservation

$1,440 USD   $25,200 MXN
 

Includes:

  • Guiding services

  • Entrance tickets

  • Transportation from hotel/airport to all spots and Drop-Off at Mérida Congress venue

  • Accommodation in double occupation (+ $250 for a single room suplement)

  • Meals, Snacks and Water

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Calakmul, November 2026 

Congress Birding Tour Registration

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Choose the timing of your tour: *You will specify your preferred dates after submitting this form.

Birding Mexico Expeditions

©2026 by Birding Mexico Expeditions.

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