Rio Lagartos

In Yucatán there are no true rivers above ground, only formations called rías, which are entries from the ocean to the coast, forming canals with abundant aquatic vegetation called mangroves. It is worthwhile exploring them; it is a unique experience. Declared “Biosphere Reserve,” with 60,000 hectares, Ría Lagartos, located 2.5 hours from Mérida (230 kms) and from Playa del Carmen, and 1.5 hours from Chichén Itzá, hosts the largest American flamingo population in México. They build their nests in the spring and summer. Its coastal lagoons are areas of seasonal rest and winter territory for flocks of migratory and local birds, with a current record of 388 different bird species in the area. The beaches offer habitat for nesting of Carey and white marine turtles.

The cooperative Río Lagartos Adventures is led by Diego Nuñez, naturalist and birding and fishing guide. The cooperative offers bird watching by boat and on land, Flamingo tours, crocodile night tours, and sport fishing / fly fishing. Diego Nuñez pioneered eco tourism in Río Lagartos. The cooperative is made up of the Nuñez, Marfil, Canul, Contreras, and Vallejos families, 100% local people. At the pier of the La Torreja restaurant, they have comfortable boats, kayaks, mountain bikes, and trained & certified guides, ready for you to enjoy the various tours offered in English, Spanish, or Italian. To find their services, when entering Ría Lagartos continue on Calle 10 until you get to the malecón and veer left along the malecón looking for the only lighthouse (unusually square) of the port, and 50 meters beforehand you will find them at the only palapa restaurant, LA TORREJA, with fresh Mexican seafood cuisine, on Calle 9 No. 105 x 14. This is the only place where you'll find their services! Reservations: Cel. 986 100 8390 or www.riolagartosnaturetours.com
 

The group Flamingos Tour offers all the eco-tourism services, with sightings of great variety of birds, crocodiles, flamingo tour, fishing, and diversity of fauna. All of their services are provided by trained English-speaking captains with experience in birds. The Hotel Villa de Pescadores is the only hotel with private balconies facing the ría where you can enjoy watching sunrises and sunsets. They have parking, restaurant, wifi, and laundry. The Hotel Villa de Pescadores and Flamingos Tour are operated by the owners, who are from the port, with 14 years of experience. They are at the corner of Calle 14 No. 93 x Calle 9, facing the fishing boardwalk. Tel. 986 862 0020 and 986 106 2077. www.hotelvilladepescadores.com

How to get there
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You can get to Río Lagartos via a travel agency, in a rented car or by bus. By car drive east to Tizimín and then go north to Río Lagartos. There are a few hotels here, including the one mentioned above, or you can stay at the Hotel San Felipe, in the quaint fishing town of the same name, 9 km. west of Río Lagartos: Tel. 986-862-2027. Email: sanfelipeyuc@hotmail.com .

MexiGo Tours offers one day tours to Río Lagartos, Ek Balam and Uayma, from Valladolid: www.mexigotours.com