Published on Feb, 2020
We thoroughly enjoyed our morning birding tour at Manialtepec. Our guide and driver, Efraim, picked us up at our hotel at 6:45 am and drove us to the lagoon (about 20 minutes from PE), where we met up with our captain, Javier, and were supplied with excellent binoculars. We got a bit of a late start, but spent about 2 /12 hours in the boat, then stopped on a beach for a rest (and bathroom break) and a snack cooked to order by Senora Juanita (bring some pesos). Javier knows all the ins and outs of the lagoon and where all the different birds hang out -- we spotted over 50 species: two kinds of storks, lots of herons (including tiger herons), roseate spoonbills, two kinds of ibis, chacalacas, jacanas, parrots...Some of us on the tour were experiences birders and others not, but we all enjoyed being out on the lagoon and seeing wildlife (and cows and horses and mules!). The sun begins to get strong by 9am so wear long sleeves and pants and a hat and plenty of sunblock. It said to bring our swimsuits and towels, but we didn't swim. Water was provided. Totally recommend!