Mexico in October (1 Viewer)

[James]

Managed to book two weeks at a resort called "Riviera Maya" which is not too far from Cancun.

We will have a car so any help on the following questions gratefully received.

1/. Best field guide?
2/. Any spots (say within 100 miles) that must not be missed?
3/. Any other local info please?

Regards

James the Smurf.

 

[Edward woodwood]

Howell

Puerto Morelos just south has some excellent botanical gardens as an introduction to the area

Cozumel Island has four endemics and is easy to bird

Coba is an excellent site as is Chichen Itza

Steve Howell wrote a bird finding guide that is excellent too

the people are great, the food is great and the beer is wonderful
sit on the beachfront at Puerto Morelos with a beer and a plate of food watching the frigatebirds go by
Turtles lay on the beaches on Cozumel at night - the Deep Blue divers (easy to find in town) took us out for free one night to see them... run by an English guy called Matt, very nice chap.

see my report birding and duding in Mexico and Belize
http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/belize/belize1/yuc-bel-aug-03.htm

ps.... watch out for the Bot Flies :eek!:

 

[sclateria]

definitely check out the Howell books - both the birdfinding guide and Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America were a great help to me on my trip to western Mexico this past December. Also bear in mind that none of the various field guides dedicated to Mexico illustrate the migratory songbirds which breed in North America - bring along a copy of a North American guide to pin down those wintering and migrating wood-warblers, if you aren't familiar with them.
Enjoy!

Brad

 

[James]

Many thanks folks, wonderful info.

James

 

[James]

Ordered the books (about half price on Amazon) and read your report as well Tim.
Anticipation is always part of the fun!

James

 

[Dave B Smith]

James,
Good suggestions above from Tim and Brad. Might want to also add Rio Lagartos to your itinerary. The Howell guides are excellent and as Brad said, get a US fieldguide to cover the northern migrants. Here is a link to a trip report for Cozumel, Puerto Morelos, and Coba .

If you decide to venture any further, I have also posted several trip reports in that same forum for Celestun, Calakmul, and southern Quintana Roo.

Enjoy your trip!