Uxmal: Maya Ruins & Forest Birds
A full-day tour from Mérida
For attendees who want a full day of birding close to Mérida, this tour combines the forest around Uxmal with a visit to one of the most beautiful Maya cities in the Yucatán. It can be scheduled before or after the congress, depending on your arrival or departure date.
Birding the forest around Uxmal
Uxmal lies in the Puuc hills, in the southern part of Yucatán State, where the forest is taller and more humid than around Mérida. This makes it a good place for species not usually found in the north of the state.
We leave Mérida early to reach the birding area by sunrise. A quiet road right next to the archaeological site is perfect for Yucatán specialties such as Yellow-lored Parrot, Yucatan Jay, Yucatan Woodpecker and Yucatan Flycatcher, along with Gray-throated Chat, Yellow-billed Cacique, White-bellied Wren, Long-billed Gnatwren and Red-throated Ant-Tanager. Lesson's Motmot and Turquoise-browed Motmot are often around, and with some luck we may find a Hook-billed Kite.
The Maya city of Uxmal
After the morning birding, we explore Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the finest example of Puuc-style architecture, known for its carved stone façades and detailed friezes. The ruins hold fewer species than the surrounding forest, but birding here has its own charm: swallows nest inside the buildings, and Turquoise-browed Motmots, Yucatan Woodpeckers and Yucatan Jays often perch just a few meters away. Birds of prey such as the Gray-headed Kite or the Great Horned Owl sometimes rest on the temples.
Price and Reservation
Includes:
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Guiding services
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Transportation from hotel/congress venue to all spots and Drop-Off at Mérida hotel
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Group size: 4–8 participants
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Box lunch and Water
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Entrance tickets are not included*
$86 USD
$1,500 MXN
