5 Amazing Birdwatching Spots in Our Destination

For nature lovers, and particularly for bird enthusiasts, both Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit offer a diversity of ecosystems that host an astonishing variety of winged species: from coastal mangroves to mountain jungles.

Cajón de Peña
South of Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find the Cajón de Peña Dam, a wetland and refuge for a wide diversity of birds. Surrounded by a combination of jungle and pine-oak forest, this vast body of water is a magnet for waterfowl, but also shelters species typical of interior terrestrial environments. Here you’ll have the opportunity to observe numerous species of migratory ducks during the season, various types of herons feeding along the shores, as well as the majestic Osprey soaring before diving for its prey.

El Salado Estuary
In Puerto Vallarta, Estero El Salado stands out as the only protected urban estuary in Latin America. This green lung is a true oasis for wildlife, offering a vital refuge for countless waterfowl. Here you can observe the elegant Great Egret, the vibrant Roseate Spoonbill, the agile Kingfisher, majestic Pelicans, and a great diversity of shorebirds.

Río Ameca Mouth / Boca de Tomates
Right on the border between Jalisco and Nayarit, the mouth of the Río Ameca and the Boca de Tomates estuary are ideal spots for bird observation. This privileged location combines river, coastal, and mangrove environments, attracting a rich variety of species. Keep your eyes peeled for White Ibises, numerous species of herons and shorebirds, Cormorants, and different types of terns and gulls.

San Pancho
Further north, in the charming Riviera Nayarit, San Pancho (San Francisco) offers a mix of habitats that make it an exceptional birdwatching destination. Here, vibrant coastal life merges with the tranquility of an estuary and the exuberance of the tropical jungle. This mosaic of ecosystems attracts an impressive variety of species, from waterfowl and shorebirds to deep jungle birds. You can admire Kingfishers diving for their prey, herons along the shores, the endemic San Blas Jay, as well as hummingbirds flitting among the flowers and various species of parrots soaring through the skies.

Sierra de Vallejo
Venturing into Riviera Nayarit, the Sierra de Vallejo stands as a Biosphere Reserve and an unmissable destination for forest and mountain bird lovers. Here the landscape changes drastically, offering a home to species very different from those on the coast. It is the sanctuary of the emblematic and endangered Military Macaw, whose vibrant plumage is a spectacle. You can also find diverse species of woodpeckers, colorful trogons, the endemic San Blas Jay, the noisy Orange-fronted Parakeet, and the unique Wagler’s Oriole.

Photo by Richard Harris.