Bird watching in a private archaeological zone

The Yucatan is famous for its bird watching. With great bird watching all year long because we are in the tropics, you will find more species in the winter because of the birds that migrate from the north to our warmer climate. For those who like numbers take a look at these: there are 1,080 bird species registered in Mexico, 543 on the Yucatan Peninsula (the states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Campeche), 442 in the state of Yucatan with 233 permanent resident species and 11 that are endemic – those just found in the state of Yucatan.

Places that are known for bird watching include Rio Lagartos, Celestun, San Felipe, Sisal and the Hacienda Chichen area. There is now a new kid on the block at Sihunchen which in English means Bird Observation. This private eco-archaeological park located southwest of Merida near Hunucma has just opened to the public within the past six months. With four kilometers of paths that meander in the jungle amongst untouched huge Mayan mounds, Sihunchen is the dream child of Mr. Alberto Mezquita who with the help of the Secretary of Tourism is working on making his hacienda a Sustainable Tourism area meaning he is working on bringing ecology minded tourism to the area and thus providing work for the people of the village and hacienda. The jobs he is training the people for include bird watching guides, cooks for the regional food he offers and folkloric ballet for the cultural presentations they offer. By offering the services that he does, he is working on a viable Sustainable Tourism project.

Bird watching is best between 5:30 AM and 9:30 AM and then in the afternoon between 5 PM and 7:30 PM with the morning being better.

Services offered at Sihunchen include basic bird watching with transportation from your hotel in Merida for a cost of approximately $600 – $800 pesos for the guide for groups up to 8, $50 pesos each entrance into the park and $100 pesos for the taxi to Sihunchen.

If you would like to have a Mayan experience, you can plan on having a regional breakfast when you are done with your bird watching. The Mayan breakfast, held under a thatched roof shade area,

prepared and served by local Mayan people, consists of traditional chaya (Mayan spinach and oh, so delicious!) and eggs, refried beans, handmade tortillas, fresh fruit drink, coffee and ix-ni-pec, a salsa type sauce made of onions, tomatoes and cilantro with lemon juice. For breakfast, add $100 pesos to your budget.

If you are organizing a larger event (convention, congress or field trip) Sihunchen is prepared to attend up to 100 people. For these events, they offer a traditional Mayan lunch that is prepared and baked underground – a unique experience to view and help with. And there are local people from the hacienda that will present typical jarana dancing in their typical dress to typical music if you so desire. This is all part of the sustainable tourism plan – to have the locals work in tourism showing their customs and traditions thus helping their economy in doing so.

To plan a bird watching excursion, we suggest you make reservations at least 24 hours in advance by calling 925-8199 or e-mail parquesihunchen@gmail.com While the guides speak perfect English, the office staff is not as proficient. Bear with them when you call, speak slowly and it will happen!

As we go to print, Alberto is working on a new project called the Route of the Birds – La Ruta de las Aves. We’ll tell you more next month.

For more information on Birds of the Yucatan, visit the resident naturalist, Jim Conrad at his website backyardnature.net

For information on the Yucatan Bird Festival, visit the official website:
www.yucatanbirds.org.mx or email them directly at info@yucatanbirds.org.mx

To read in Spanish click here

Further reading:
 Bird Festival
 Travel agencies in Yucatan
Transportation in the Yucatan
Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable Tourism - What you can do

Visit our map:
 Map of Merida Historical Downtown
 Map of Merida Downtown
 Map of Merida City
 Map of Yucatan Peninsula