Rio Lagartos

Boats in Rio Lagartos

The Rio Lagartos biosphere is a huge reserve in Yucatan Mexico.

The 150,000 acres of biosphere include an estuary and 35km of beaches.

The actual lagoon is named Ria Lagartos, where the female usage of the word rio denotes the mix of fresh and salt water.

Lagartos is an ideal place for birdwatching and nature fans in general.

The only way to properly enjoy this place is via kayak or lancia (small boat).

Mangroves in Rio Lagartos

We booked our trip with Diego Nunez, a 20 years veteran tour organizer.

We showed up around 1pm for lunch. We had an amazing meal upstairs from Diego’s office, in the restaurant of the posada Ria Maya, which also belongs to Diego.

Amazing menu featuring local sea specialties and some Yucatecan traditional food.

At 2:30pm we embarked our lancia where Roman our pilot and guide was waiting for us.

The boat for perfect for photographers, nice and stable, with nothing in the way, no posts or awning.

Roman was amazing, very knowledgeable, ready to point at every bird and stopping patiently long enough for us to snap away.

Flamingos in Rio Lagartos

The list of birds residing in the biosphere is huge.  555 species currently. Click here for a PDF version. This list was compiled by Barbara Mackinnon, she is the authority when it comes to birds of Yucatan.

American White Pelicans, Rio Lagartos

The tour we picked was the photography tour, 4 hours, no rush. We had an amazing time and Roman timed it perfectly to see everything we wanted and re entering in the port just time for a glorious sunset.

Sunset in Rio Lagartos

The reserve owes its name to large number of crocodiles. They’re easier to spot at night though and during our tour, we did not see any.

Diego boat tours and posada: Birding Yucatan

More info about Rio Lagartos: Magical Rio Lagartos

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