As the saying goes, many birds head south for the winter and for thousands of those birds south means San Blas in the Pacific Coast of Mexico’s treasure destination Riviera Nayarit. Situated directly on the Pacific Flyway, San Blas is internationally renowned among birders looking to make a dent in their life list – with more than 450 endemic and migratory bird species residing there during the winter months.
San Blas is a true birdwatcher’s paradise with seven types of ecosystems and 12 bird-watching routes that include rainforests, oceans and beaches, mangroves and marshes, estuaries and lagoons, pine and oak mountain forests and islands. Within 31-mile radius visitors can go from one habitat to another, via boat trips through mangroves or open sea, or hiking along the coastal and mountain villages.
San Blas has 250 endemic species but during the winter months up to 80 percent of the bird population consists of migratory birds from North America. Enthusiasts can spot Belted Kingfishers, Bronzed Cowbirds, The Great Kiskadee, Great Blue Herons, The Roseat Spoonbill, Mexican Wood Nymphs, Inca Doves, Lineated Woodpeckers, Northern Potoos, Streak-Backed Orioles and more.
Some of San Blas’ best birding sites include:
La Tovara National Park: a complex ecosystem that offers water channels and mangroves in a 1,600-acres park. Fresh water from the mountains mixes with saltwater to form an estuary with thousands of species of flora and fauna. Many visitors call it the Disneyland of birding!
Zoquipan Lagoon: Part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, this lagoon system has marshes, canals and outcrops of fresh water. It’s a winter refuge for migratory shorebirds and also home to River Crocodile, Jaguar, Jaguarundi, Ocelot, River Otters and more.
Singayta: This typical community on the Pacific coast plain made San Blas famous for birding. It consists of estuaries, basins and plains with ecosystems including rainforest and mangroves.
Tecuitata and Salto del Cora: These waterfalls are located in a mountain community dedicated to shade-grown coffee with a wide open landscape that makes its birding activity easily visible.
Isla Isabel: Known as the “Galapagos of Mexico,” this small island can be reached by boat from San Blas. The 40,000+ birds who call this national park home have no nearby predators to fear and therefore allow travelers to get impressively close to them when they visit.
While the peak months for a birding visit are November through April, there are two major events that entice novice and lifetime birders alike:
San Blas Christmas Bird Count: Taking place every December, this bird count includes a 15-mile radius of San Blas. Teams registered 294 species on Count Day 2018, 310 total species for the week and 12,700 individual birds – this included three that were spotted in the region for the first time: Bewick’s wren, the flammulated flycatcher and the Mexican whip-poor-will.
San Blas International Migratory Bird Festival: From Jan. 19 – 26, 2020, travelers can take part in the 16th edition of this annual event that celebrates the arrival of migratory birds to the area with several artistic and cultural activities revolving around birds as well as tours along the traditional observation routes.
Aside from birding, San Blas can stand on its own as a travel destination with a laid back, beach town vibe and a main street that is lined with open air casual eateries selling fresh seafood. Riviera Nayarit offers easy connections to most major U.S. and Canadian cities through Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport, which is a 3-hour drive along the coast to San Blas.
About Riviera Nayarit:
Renowned for its eclectic charm, luxurious hospitality and authentic appeal, Riviera Nayarit has earned global recognition as the Pacific Coast’s treasure destination. Situated within Mexican state Nayarit, the region offers 192 miles of pristine Pacific coastline, the wondrous Sierra Madre Mountains, the spectacular Banderas Bay and endless protected natural marvels. Riviera Nayarit is home to resort town Nuevo Vallarta, historic village San Blas, exclusive celebrity haven Punta de Mita, “boho-chic” surf mecca Sayulita and a variety of picturesque fishing villages. Activities abound from world-class golf courses, zip-lining, diving and surfing to bird watching, whale watching and turtle release programs. Riviera Nayarit boasts four AAA Five Diamond hotels, 11 AAA Four-Diamond hotels and 13 AAA Three Diamond hotels with accommodations range from luxury branded resort destinations and family-friendly all-inclusive to intimate boutique properties and everything in between. Rounding out the destination’s allure, superior quality international gastronomy awaits including a AAA Five Diamond restaurant, six AAA Four Diamond restaurants and 26 AAA Three Diamond restaurants. Riviera Nayarit is just 10 minutes north of Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR).
To discover the Pacific Coast’s treasure destination, visit www.RivieraNayarit.com or follow Riviera Nayarit on Facebook, Twitter @riv_nayarit and Instagram @riviera_nayarit.