Río Celestún Biosphere Reserve

On the coast southwest of Mérida you find the small village of Celestún where fishermen still pull their boats up onto the wide sandy beach at night as they have done for generations and lining the waterfront are simple restaurants featuring the catch of the day. This is a very laid-back place with few tourists. The main attraction here is a wonderful wildlife sanctuary, Río Celestún Biosphere Reserve, an enticing spot for all naturalists, but especially for bird watchers as there are more than 200 species of birds to be seen here. As you drive into town, the road crosses over the estuary and at the far end of the bridge, as you look down to your left, you see many flat-bottomed boats docked with boatmen eager to be your guide. There is a cute little office with a tiny museum where you can buy your ticket (the price is set and varies only according to the length of tour). Most of the tours last about an hour and a half, during which time you go up the shallow waterway. Your guide will point out many birds along the way, but the highlight of the trip is seeing the flocks of pink flamingos that come to the shallow waters to feed. Although at some times of the year they are more abundant than others, you can almost always see them. To avoid frightening the birds away, the boats are not allowed to get close, so it is difficult to get good photographs. On the way back, the boatmen stop at some intriguing cenotes—freshwater pools formed by underground springs. These are especially fun because you get out of the boat and walk through the tangle of mangrove jungle on a raised pathway. For those so inclined, there is time to swim in the crystal-clear water.