Yucatán Birds and Wildlife with Ontario Nature

The Yucatán is, in many ways, a world unto itself: an enormous peninsula embodying many of the ecological characteristics of islands, namely the presence of endemic species — and yet what really sets this region apart is how intertwined its wildlife is with the ancient Mayan sites like Cobá, Muyil, and the staggeringly impressive Chichén Itzá. There’s something just so uniquely stirring about wandering among 10th-century ruins that have been long since reclaimed by primary moist forest and its rich assortment of wildlife. Here, motmots, toucans, parrots, and woodcreepers forage, often near spider monkeys, iguanas, and dazzling butterflies. Many of the endemics — a woodpecker, a vireo, a wren, and a jay, to name a few — bear the name of their home peninsula. Two are isolated to Cozumel, the Caribbean island just offshore from Akumal, where there’s a chance of swimming with sea turtles during a snorkelling session. At Río Lagartos on the north coast, marvel at the lively congregations of thousands of American Flamingoes as we wander along boardwalks and drift slow along the river by boat. We have also arranged for a dip in a cenote (or limestone sinkhole) tucked deep in the jungle and believed by the Maya to be gateways to the underworld.

This is a leisurely journey through various ecosystems and on largely flat terrain, with visits to both the Gulf and Caribbean Coasts. Join us this winter to discover the storied Yucatán.