tour a celestun

Your Complete Celestun Yucatan Travel Guide for 2024

Celestun Yucatan is a gorgeous coastal town in the northwest part of the Yucatan state, close to the border with Campeche state. Its stunning beaches boast translucent azure waters and soft powdery white sands where you can enjoy some of the most spectacular sunsets on the peninsula. However, the main draw of traveling here is to see the famous Celestun flamingos at the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve.

Celestun makes for a popular day trip from the Yucatan capital of Merida, especially between November and April when tens of thousands of North American flamingoes flock here to mate. You can experience the highlights of the area in a day, but if your schedule allows, there are plenty of nice hotels here where you can stick around a little longer.  You are in good hands here because I live in the Yucatan capital of Merida and have made the journey out to Celestun several times.

Table of Contents

Things to do in Celestun Yucatan

Most people’s raison d’etre for visiting Celestun is for the chance to see the flamingos but there are plenty of other highlights in the area. 

Visit the Ría Celestún biosphere reserve

The Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve is one of 12 protected nature reserves in the Yucatan and a place that has been given UNESCO World Heritage status since 2004 . It sits just 1.5km outside the center of town, straddling the borders of Celestun and Maxcanu. 

These wetlands, mangroves, and rainforests are home to over 1150 species of birds, as well as other wildlife like crocodiles and turtles. Many of the birds found here are endangered or indigenous to this region. 

Of course, the Celestun flamingos are the start of the show, and every winter more than 35,000 flamingoes set up home in the warm waters of the reserve before heading eastwards towards El Cuyo and Las Coloradas. 

Taking a Celestun boat tour

When you arrive at the Ria Celestun Visitor’s Center, you can board a little wooden boat with a local guide and sail out into the waters to see the flamingoes and other animals and birds in their natural habitats. (Our guide steered the boat alarmingly close to a huge crocodile so that we could take photos right beside it – no thanks!) 

The boats generally get close enough to the flamingoes so that you can admire them and take photos while still maintaining a respectful distance. It also makes a couple of other stops around the reserve too – there is a (crocodile-free!) cenote in the mangroves, as well as a wooden boardwalk where you can walk through the rainforest admiring the scenery. 

If you book a guided Celestun tour in advance, the boat tour will be organized for you but if not, you can easily just rock up to the port as there are plenty of boats. As of 2024, it costs 1,800 pesos (Circa $106 USD/£83.50) per boat and the boat accommodates up to 8 people. 

There are usually plenty of other travelers waiting at the port so even if there are just a few of you, you can easily find other people to split costs and share the boat ride with. 

There are also tons of wild yet friendly mapaches (raccoons) that hang out near the visitor’s office.

Watch the sunset from Celestun beaches 

From the Ria Celestun reserve, it is a 30-minute walk into town and to the beach which is fine during the winter months but a little much in the summer. If you don’t fancy the walk, there are always plenty of moto-taxis around. 

Yucatan state beaches are massively overlooked in favor of beaches along the Caribbean Coast of Mexico and in the Riviera Maya but they are also pretty stunning. In Celestun, you will find two beaches that sit beside each other – Playa Sur and Playa Norte. 

The sea is calm and clear and perfect for swimming and snorkeling and while the beach can be busy at weekends when locals are off work, it is usually pretty quiet. Tons of restaurants and bars here let you rent sunbeds and serve all manner of Yucatecan and seafood delicacies beneath charming thatched palapa huts. 

The Muelle de Celestún pier is a particularly nice place to watch the sunset as the sky is illuminated in hues of pink and orange.

Explore the abandoned Hacienda Real de Salinas

If you are into the macabre or eerie/alternative things to do, you will enjoy visiting the abandoned Hacienda Real de Salinas which sits at the end of an unnamed road, some 5km south of Celestun Mexico.

Once upon a time, a locally known and respected family from Campeche used the Hacienda Real de Salinas as their summer home. Like many haciendas, Real de Salinas was used for production, and the site produced dyewood and salt.

Unfortunately, the hacienda fell into abandonment and locals will tell you many legends and ghost stories about its demise. Apparently, its residents were ousted from society – to the extent that those in Celestun town would not even serve them at stores.

In the end, an elderly couple were the only remaining residents. 

The man passed away and it would be a few years until his wife followed suit in 1975. Apparently, men from Celestun traveled to the hacienda, couldn’t find her, and eventually found her on the floor, deceased, with an expression of horror on her face. 

Thus, started the stories that something in the house had caused her passing. Local legend has it that if you pass through the quiet woods close to the house, you can still hear her screaming, unable to move on to the next plane of existence… 

The hacienda lies in ruin, its roofs and ceilings long gone and only its pastel-colored outer shells remaining. Perhaps most somber of all is the roofless chapel which still contains some of its original azulejos (tiles) and frescoes.

Explore the spectacular ruins of San Joaquin, Campeche state

Just outside Celestun across the border in Campeche state, you will find the ruins of the old, abandoned colonial San Joaquin hacienda. This place is very scenic and almost looks as though it has been designed for Instagram. 

It awaits at the end of an unmarked dirt trail and the adjacent beach is gorgeous. There is rarely a soul around, although you may see the occasional flamingo or pelican flying overhead and diving for fish in the nearby waters.

Check out the Pedro Infante Museum 

If you are familiar with Mexican culture, you might have heard of Pedro Infante. He was a Mexican actor and singer from Sinaloa who starred in a lot of movies during the “Golden Age” of Mexican cinema and his old movies are still beloved today, even by younger generations of Mexicans. 

(My Mexican partner loves him and we often drive around listening to his music). Infante loved the Yucatan state and spent a lot of time here. 

Unfortunately, he also passed away here after the light aircraft he was flying crashed in Merida in 1957. The Pedro Infante Museum in Celestun (there is also one in Mexico City) contains many personal effects and items owned by the late singer and tells the story of his life and achievements. 

(Note: Do double check it is open before visiting as it was closed for a period due to economic reasons).

Indulge in regional cuisine

Celestun doesnt have the same number and variety of restaurants as places like Progreso or Cancun but there are still a few great options. Head to Restaurant Nicte Ha (C. 10 108, Centro), right on the main square for typical Mexican and Yucatecan food.

This casual eatery is open all day so you can stop by in the morning for your huevos rancheros or in the early afternoon for some quesadillas with fresh avocados. For seafood, head to La Palapa (12 105, Benito Juárez).

The coconut-coated shrimp served in a coconut shell is not to be missed, and the atmosphere here is great as some of the tables here are set right on sand offering fantastic sunset views. La Playita (Calle 12 No 99) is another place for fresh, quality seafood. They are locally known for their cerviche which is pretty good.

How to Get to Celestun Mexico

It is pretty easy to do a Celestun day trip from Merida and to a lesser extent, it isnt too difficult to get here from Campeche. Renting a car during your time in Southeastern Mexico will make your life a lot easier as there are many places around the Yucatan that are tricky to reach without a vehicle.

If you feel uncomfortable driving here for whatever reason, you can opt to take the bus or do a guided tour, though in my experience, the bus ride often takes much longer than scheduled so you need to be prepared for a longer journey. The Tren Maya train is finally up and running along the Cancun to Campeche route and will eventually stop at nearby Maxcanu once the station is completed.

Driving from Merida to Celestun

My partner and I own a car here in the Yucatan and it makes everything a lot easier. I would strongly recommend renting a car in Merida if you are confident enough to do so.

You can rent an economy-sized car here for around $30-$40 a day including full-coverage insurance which doesnt really work out any more expensive than purchasing multiple tour/bus tickets if there are a few of you. I recommend checking out Discover Cars because they allow you to compare and contrast quotes from various different providers.

The roads in the Yucatan are well maintained and generally in excellent condition to the extent that you will probably find that driving here is not that different to driving in the US. It should take around an hour and a half to drive the 104km to Celestun along México 281.

Take an organized Celestun flamingo tour

Numerous reputable tour companies operate in the Yucatan and offer Celestun flamingo tours. Most pickup and drop-off from your hotel/accommodation and can take a lot of the stress out of working out the logistics of your trip. 

Get Your Guide offers a Ria Celestun biosphere reserve tour . The tour includes all transport, boat rides, and admission, a visit to the Celestun beaches, and the chance toget up close and personal with the wintering pink flamingos. You will have an expert guide on hand to answer any questions you may have and the tour is available in both Spanish and English. Click here for more information.

Take the bus from Merida to Celestun

Autobuses Oriente operates a direct bus that takes you straight from Merida to Celestun. It departs almost hourly from Mérida Noreste station (Calle 67 x 50 y 52 # 531 Colonia Centro CP 97000 Merida). The current timetable is as per the below. However, keep in mind that this may be subject to change. 

• 20.00 pm 

You can purchase your ticket from the ticket office inside the small station. You can’t miss it – look out for the small kiosk labeled TAQUILLAS. 

The cost is $56 pesos each way which is less than $3USD. You can also purchase a ticket directly from the driver on board.

Officially, the bus should take two hours from Merida to Celestun. However, it does make a lot of stops to pick people up before departing Merida and then stops at Hunucma and several villages en route to Celestun so in my experience, it has often taken closer to 3 hours. Try and leave Merida as early as possible. The 8am bus should get you to Celestun between 10 and 10.30 and allow plenty of time to take a boat tour, visit the beach and grab some lunch.

Hire a private driver to take you from Merida to Celestun

You might be able to agree a rate with a local driver in Merida to have them take you to Celestun but you will need to organize the journey in advance. You can ask for recommendations of local drivers in the Merida expat Facebook groups or have your hotel call a trusted cab for you.

A one-way journey should cost you between 700 and 1,000 pesos. You may be able to agree on a rate with a local driver for them to give you a tour or to wait for you and then take you back to Merida in the evening. 

Uber works in Merida, as do other ridesharing apps like Indrive and Didi but in my experience, drivers are not usually interested in doing impromptu long distance journeys and even if you try and pre-arrange an Uber, they have a tendency to cancel.

Where to Stay in Celestun Yucatan 

Celestun has changed a lot over the last couple of years and while accommodation in the area was once very limited, many more tasteful, boutique properties are starting to open up in the area. 

You can definitely explore the town and its nature reserve in a day but it’s worth staying here overnight if you want to break up the journey back to Merida/the Riviera Maya, or while on your way to Campeche City. The great thing is that a stay here doesnt have to break the bank, with many properties costing just $50 a night for a spacious King/double room.

Villa Gabriela Celestun

Villa Gabriela Celestun is a gorgeous, recently-opened property set just 500m from the beaches of Celestun beach in the heart of the downtown area. Its simple, yet tasteful rooms and suites are set inside a hacienda-style property complete with a courtyard and scenic gardens, and the on-site restaurant serves an excellent menu of American and Mexican classic cuisine. 

Guests are welcome to rent free bicycles for exploring the town and its surroundings, and all of the rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, free wifi, complimentary toiletries and flat screen tvs. Click here to review the latest room rates and availability. 

Cabañas Cinco Elementos 

If you want a unique accommodation experience, you can consider booking a stay at the Cabañas Cinco Elementos – adorable, independent thatched bungalows right beside the beach. The cabanas have been decorated in a bohemian Tulum style and contain all the amenities that you may need. 

This property also offers bicycle rentals and the breakfast options are delicious. You can review the latest rates and availability here. 

Hotel San Julio 

Hotel San Julio offers simple yet cosy accommodation right on the beachfront in Celestun so you can wake up, roll out of bed and head straight to the beach each morning. Double rooms start from around $50 per night. 

FAQs about Visiting Celestun Yucatan 

Do you have any further questions or concerns about visiting Celestun Yucatan? I have answered a couple of FAQs below that I hope you will find useful but if you still have more questions, feel free to reach out to me. 

Is it worth visiting Celestun?

Celestun is worth visiting if you love bird-watching and nature, you have a rental car, or you are passing through the area anyway as part of your wider Yucatan itinerary. However, it is a bit out of the way (in the far west of the Yucatan state), and getting here by public transport takes several hours each way from Merida. 

My personal opinion is that if you are basing yourself in Merida, Valladolid, or somewhere else more central in the Yucatan, there are far better day trips that you can take than Celestun. Beach towns like San Bruno, Telchac Puerto, and Chuburna are more scenic, while pueblo magicos like Mani and Tekax over more things to do. It depends on how much you want to see flamingoes. 

Can you swim in Celestun?

Yes. You can swim in the water at the beaches of Celestun and the temperatures are pretty good all year round. 

The water on the Gulf of Mexico is pretty calm and there is no strong undercurrent or waves or anything like that so even children can safely swim here. 

How do you see flamingos in Celestun? 

The best way to see flamingos in Celestun is to take a Celestun boat tour at the Ria Biosphere Reserve. That way you can see them in their natural habitat, as well as tons of other cool birds and animals. 

Sometimes, you might also see flocks of them just flying randomly overhead toward Sisal which is pretty cool. 

Final thoughts on visiting Celestun Yucatan

Celestun is a very popular place to visit in the Yucatan but personally, I think that there are many more much better options unless you specifically have a keen interest in seeing flamingos and birdwatching. I think that the reason it is so popular is largely just because the Yucatan state is a bit of an unknown for a lot of people who are not aware of all of the tons of other interesting things that you can do in the area. 

Depending on your planned itinerary, you might also want to check out Rio Lagartos in the northern part of the Yucatan state. It is more off-the-beaten-path but is another great place where you can see flamingos and other birds and take a boat tour and since it sees less tourists, for now it is also much more budget friendly. 

Please dont hesitate to connect with me via social media, email or a comment below if you have questions. As I mentioned, I live here in the Yucatan and I am always happy to chat. 

Safe travels and enjoy Mexico. Hasta Luego! Melissa xo 

Melissa Douglas

Similar posts.

17 Best Luxury Hotels in Merida: A Local’s Guide 2024

If you are traveling to Mexico’s Yucatan region for the first time and are looking to treat yourself to an indulgent, boutique hotel stay, there…

Dzibilchaltún Ruins in Mexico: Your 2024 Visitor’s Guide

The Dzibilchaltún ruins are overlooked from most Yucatan itineraries which is a shame. The site boasts some of the most unique and fascinating Mayan structures…

El Cuyo Yucatan: Your Complete 2024 Travel Guide by a Local

El Cuyo Yucatan is a small, tranquil fishing village and pristine stretch of coastline that sits in the northeastern part of the Yucatan state. Its…

Is Merida Worth Visiting? Your 2024 Guide by a Merida Resident

Is Merida worth visiting? If you are planning a trip to the Mexican Yucatan, the cultural capital of Merida may well be one of the…

Laguna Rosada: The Yucatan’s Lesser-Known Pink Lake

You might remember that a couple of years ago, the bright pink cotton candy-looking lakes of the Yucatan state went somewhat viral on social media…

Is Kanasin Dangerous? Insight from a Merida Resident

If you ever find yourself in the Yucatan capital of Merida, you will hear a lot of talk about how this is the safest city…

Celestun: Top 9 Things To Do + How to see flamingos?

Visiting celestun (mexico): the 9 best things to do.

Celestún is a fishing village in Yucatán and one of the best places to see flamingos in Mexico .

You can visit its biosphere reserve in one day from Mérida , and enjoy its long and peaceful beaches.

Here is my complete guide to Celestún with all the information you need to plan your visit: where, when and how to see the flamingos , and all the other things to do and see in Celestún.

And at the end of the article, I also give you my selection of the best hotels in Celestún for different budgets.

So, what are the best things to do in Celestun? Where to Stay?

Let’s find out!

Where to buy the ticket to see the flamingos?

How much does it cost to visit the flamingos, where to park in celestún, 2. ecotourism, 3. exploring jaltun park, 4. enjoy the beach, 5. visit the pink salt lake, 6. eating great seafood, 7. sleeping in the jungle, 8. strolling through town, 9. visiting nearby towns, where to sleep in celestún, how to get to celestun by plane, how to get to celestun by public transportation, joining a celestun tour from mérida, how to get to celestun by car, celestun vs ria lagartos: which one is the best, when to visit celestún, what to do in celestun in 1 day, my last tips for visiting celestun, you’re traveling in mexico these articles will help you, 1. see the pink flamingos.

To see the flamingos in Celestún , you have to book a boat tour .

It is a small boat with a maximum capacity of 8 people and a guide/driver that will take you through the Celestún Biosphere Reserve, also known as Ría Celestún .

This is where the fresh water of the Celestún river meets the salt water of the Gulf of Mexico and creates a rich ecosystem.

There are 300 species of birds , such as ducks migrating from Canada, pelicans, herons, albatrosses, frigate birds , but the main attraction are the pink flamingos .

After a 15-minute stop at Tambor to watch the birds feeding and resting, the boat takes you to the mangroves of Dzinitún which are home to a diverse fauna: crocodiles, monkeys, ocelots, kingfishers, etc.

My favorite place was the 2600 ft long mangrove tunnel . It’s a great place to take pictures!

Especially because the water has a unique color (red, yellow, green) due to the sunlight, the vegetation and the sulfur of the water.

Afterwards, there is a 15-20 minute stop for a swim in the Ojo de Agua Baldiosera (an ojo de agua is a kind of small cenote)

If you don’t want to go in the water, there are also small wooden walkways , quite nice to walk on.

This tour leaves from the beach, next to the main square.

There are two options to take the boat tour in Celestún : the short version and the long version.

Short tour (1h30) : This is the official tour of the fishermen’s cooperative located west of the bridge that crosses the river, just before reaching Celestún.

The place is easy to find because there are large signs.

You must first pay at the ticket office and then go to the dock where you are assigned a boat.

This tour starts directly on the river , near the flamingo colonies.

Long tour (2h15-2h30) : This tour leaves from the beach, next to the main square.

This is the tour I recommend because it goes along the coast to finally get to where the flamingos are and allows you to see more wildlife along the way.

However, as the distance traveled is longer, the boat speeds up and moves more.

• So, which one is better? The only real difference is the length of the tour . If you have limited time in Celestún , choose the one on the bridge side.

My advice Another option is to take this tour to Celestún from Mérida .

It includes pick up from your hotel, boat ride to see the flamingos , swim in the ojo de agua , mangroves and lunch on the beach :

The prices are more or less the same, around 2400 pesos for a boat of 6 to 8 people .

You can wait for the boat to fill up or pay for a private tour.

Of course, the advantage of the private tour is that you can talk to the guide and ask him to stay longer in certain places.

If you book the flamingo tour from the town (bridge), you can park for free.

If you choose the beach side, the public parking lots charge about 10 pesos per hour.

The best option is to find parking near the main square.

Celestún is one of the best destinations for ecotourism in Mexico !

You can do the same tour I described above by canoe or kayak (2h30 or more, depending on the guide)

It is an eco-friendly tour because it does not use a motor boat: no pollution and no stress for the birds!

The tour is private and takes place in harmony with nature.

Another advantage is that departures can be as early as 5h30-6h in the morning, but of course you need to contact a guide in advance.

The tour focuses much more on bird watching and on the effort to restore the mangroves and the estuary .

If you have time, this is definitely an activity not to miss in Celestún .

This is another place to visit in Celestún that, unfortunately, not many people know about.

It is an ecotourism park that focusses on environmental conservation and biodiversity awareness.

They offer guided tours by canoe or kayak to discover wildlife and plants of the mangroves.

You can also follow hiking trails , visit the botanical garden and its orchids, see the crocodile farm and swim in a natural pool.

This is an educational site, so it is a good option if you are looking for an activity to do with kids in Celestún .

• Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm
• Jaltún Facebook page

Relaxing on the beach is one of the best things to do in Celestún , because it is much less crowded than the beaches of Progreso or the Riviera Maya .

It is wide, the sand is fine, the water is calm and shallow, perfect for the whole family .

If you want to have a cocktail, there are several beachfront restaurants near the main square.

And since Celestún is on the west coast of the Yucatán , you can watch the sunset directly from the beach.

My advice Another peacful beach option near Mérida is Sisal beach .

As it is mainly visited by local families, it is very quiet during weekdays.

In Celestún there are some evaporation ponds, as in Las Coloradas .

These pools of pink water with a beautiful mirror effect are natural and not artificial like the ones in Ría Lagartos .

The pink color of the water and the flamingos is due to the artemia salina , a small crustacean found in the water that contains carotene.

The salt extraction of Celestún’s lagoons dates back to the time of the ancient Maya, who used salt to preserve certain foods such as meat.

Today, the people of several communities in the area collect salt, still using traditional methods.

If you go in the morning (before 10 am), outside the rainy season , you can see how they shovel the pure salt into small mounds.

• Access is free of charge
• How to get there : you can either take the boat tour from the beach or go on your own by car or moto-taxi (ask for the ex-hacienda Real de Salinas)
• I do not recommend walking because it is 3 miles (one way) from the center, there is no shade and the sun is very strong.

Celestún ’s main source of income is fishing , besides salt extraction.

During the boat ride, the guide told me that 90% of the inhabitants of Celestún live from fishing. I’m not sure how accurate this number is, but it shows that Celestún is a great place to eat seafood and fish. 😋

Several people had recommended La Palapa restaurant to me, which is very popular with tourists.

It is true that it has a nice location on the beach , but I wanted a quieter, more local restaurant.

By chance I found Chivirico restaurant (corner of 11th and 12th street) and it was a nice surprise. It does not have an ocean view, but it is more affordable, the service is very friendly and everything we ordered was delicious.

I really liked the fried bananas (40 pesos), the grilled fish fillet (110 pesos) and the garlic shrimp (160 pesos).

Yes, it is possible to sleep in the jungle of Celestún !

Located in front of the sea, the Xixim ecotourism hotel is the only hotel inside the reserve.

It is a small luxury hotel perfectly integrated into its surroundings, with 32 rustic and cozy cabins, some with ocean views, others even with a small private pool.

The hotel is divided into two sections: one for families and one for adults only. Both have direct access to a 3 and a half miles of private beach.

Kayaks, paddleboards and bicycles can be rented to explore the area.

There is also a wellness center with yoga, meditation, massage and aromatherapy classes, as well as a gym.

In addition, there is very little internet (often none) and no television , so it really is the perfect place to relax.

You can take the opportunity to stroll around the town of Celestún .

There is not much to see, but you can visit the main square with its church and its market where you can find local handicrafts and very good fresh fruit juice!

You can also take the classic photo of the colorful Celestún letters and buy Celestún salt .

On your way from Mérida to Celestún , you can explore some of the charming villages that reflect the local culture.

For example, you can visit Hunucmá, where you can see how they make sandals from henequen fiber, leather, and fur. You can also cool off in the cenote El Pocito , a hidden gem inside the home of the hospitable Mr. Sergio!

10 minutes from the center of Hunucmá is the archaeological park Sihunchen .

If you are interested in history and nature, you can check out the archaeological park Sihunchen , just 10 minutes from Hunucmá. This is an ecotourism center that offers accommodation, swimming pool, trails, and guided activities such as bird watching and visiting the ruins.

Other villages that are worth a stop are Kinchil and Tetiz , where you can admire the main square and churches.

Celestún is a great place to spend the night and relax away from the hustle and bustle.

But finding a good hotel in Celestún can be tricky. Many of them are expensive and not very appealing.

Don’t worry, though. There are also some hotels in Celestun that give you a lot of value for your money.

So here are my top picks for places to stay in Celestun , for different budgets:

• Hotel Beach Don Gonzalo : A good budget option in Celestún very close to the beach and town center. Cozy, with pool, from 55 usd per night!
• Castillito Kin Nah : Small beachfront beachfront hotel with pool, ideal for couples and families. Garden, private beach, simple but very clean rooms with patio. from 110 usd per night!
• Playa 55 Beach Escape – Adults only: A very comfortable and modern hotel with private access to a deserted beach, ideal for a romantic stay in Celestun! Modern air-conditioned rooms with oceanfront balcony . Rooftop terrace, swimming pool with hammocks , sun loungers, free rental of bicycles, kayaks and paddle boards, from 145 usd per night!

How to get to Celestún from Mérida

The closest airport to Celestun is Merida airport , 55 miles away.

Manuel Crescencio Rejon International Airport receives several flights from Cancun and Mexico City (1h55)

To find your cheap flight ticket to Merida or to find your international flight to Mexico , I recommend you to use our flight comparator, in partnership with Skyscanner: it’s the guarantee to pay the best price!

• By bus : ADO bus from Terminal Noreste (Calle 50 corner 65) 70 pesos, 2h30. Departures every hour from 6h in the morning. The last bus returns to Mérida at 5 pm
• By colectivo : depart from the same place (Calle 50 and 65 in Merida), but are less frequent, 40 pesos

A good option is to go by bus to arrive early , and return by colectivo from Celestún’s main square (in front of the church) to pay a little less .

A Merida to Celestun day trip is a great way to see the flamingos and enjoy the nature without any hassle.

This tour to Celestún from Mérida is a great option. They will pick you up from your hotel, take you on a boat ride to see the flamingos, let you swim in the ojo de agua, show you the mangroves, and treat you to a delicious lunch on the beach.

Book the Celestun tour here:

Getting to Celestun from Mérida takes between 1h30 and 1h45, following Highway 281

Renting a car is for sure the best way to explore Celestún and make the most of your stay!

To rent a car, personally, I always use Rentalcars.com, for a few reasons:

• You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
• Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
• Rentalcars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies , so it’s an instant saving with no effort

Simply click on the green button to find your rental car at the best price:

If you are looking for a place to see flamingos in Mexico, you have two options: Celestun and Ria Lagartos . Both are located in the state of Yucatan and are home to thousands of these pink birds.

But you don’t have to visit both places on your Mexico trip, unless you are a big fan of birdwatching.

They are very similar: they are coastal wetlands that are protected by the government, and they host a variety of seabirds, including huge colonies of flamingos.

To choose the best one for you , there are two things to consider.

1. The best time of the year to see them:

• From May to September, Rio Lagartos has more flamingos
• From December to March, Celestun has more flamingos

2. Other attractions nearby

• Celestun is closer to Mérida, Uxmal and the border with Campeche
• Río Lagartos is closer to Valladolid , Ek Balam , Chichén Itzá, Cobá and the Riviera Maya

The best time to visit Celestún is from December to March and especially in January, when there are more flamingos : the water level is at its lowest, which creates ideal conditions for these species that do not swim… but walk!

How long to visit Celestun?

You can see the flamingos and savor some seafood in one day in Celestun .

But if you want to relax and watch the sunset on a Yucatan beach away from the crowds, you might want to stay for two days in Celestun !

Here is my suggested itinerary for visiting Celestún in 1 day :

• In the morning, leave Merida for Celestun (1h40 by car, 2h30 by bus): try to get there before 11am!
• Take a boat tour to see the flamingos (it lasts between 1h30 and 2h15 depending on where you start and if you have to wait for other passengers)
• Back to the village, if you’re hungry, there are several seafood restaurants on the beach
• In the afternoon, take some time to walk and relax on the beach
• Bring cash : they don’t take cards. I only saw one ATM in Celestun (HSBC in the main square, Calle 10) and it was out of order.
• Get there early : to make sure you can get a boat, but also to avoid crowds and enjoy this natural place. Keep in mind that around 3:30 pm, the flamingos go to sleep.
• Use mosquito repellent : I didn’t see many mosquitoes on the beach, but in the reserve they are hungry and persistent.
• Be a responsible tourist : to avoid stressing the flamingos, you should keep a distance of at least 20m. The guides usually follow this rule, but if you see them getting too close, please ask them to back off 🙏

Discover all my articles about Mexico : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Mexico are listed there.

• The 35 Best Things to Do in Mexico
• Yucatan Peninsula : Top 20 things to Do and See
• Chichén Itzá : the definitive guide + My tips
• El Cuyo : The Ultimate Guide to Mexico’s Hidden Paradise
• Izamal : 11 Best Things to Do in Yucatan’s Yellow City
• Mérida : 20 Best Things to Do and Must-See Attractions
• Uxmal (Mérida) : the Definitive Guide + tips
• Valladolid : the 25 Best Places to Visit!
• My Definitive Guide to Ek Balam Ruins (Valladolid)
• How to visit Xcanché : the hidden cenote of Ek Balam
• Itinerary : 10 days in Mexico – Mexico City, Chiapas and Yucatan
• Itinerary : 2 weeks in Mexico   – Best itinerary to discover the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas!
• Itinerary : 3 weeks in Mexico – Mexico City, Puebla , Oaxaca , Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán and Riviera Maya
• Itinerary : 1 month in Mexico – My Epic 30-31 Days Itinerary from Mexico City to Cancun
• Road trip in Mexico : The best itineraries for 10, 15, 21 days and a month
• Itinerary : 1 week in Yucatan – The Ultimate 6, 7 or 8 days Itinerary
• Itinerary : 10 days in Yucatan – Best Itinerary for 9, 10 or 11 Days in Yucatan
• Itinerary : 2 weeks in Yucatan – Epic Itinerary + All my Best Tips!
• Itinerary : 3 weeks in Yucatan – Best things to do in 20-21 days
• Itinerary : 1 month in Yucatan – Yucatan Peninsula in 29, 30 or 31 days from Cancun
• Road trip in Yucatan : The best itineraries for 7, 10, 15, 21 days and 1 month

You’re using Pinterest? Here is the picture to pin!

I have created this blog to give you all my best tips to plan your next trip to Mexico, regardless of your budget. I share detailed itineraries, advice about places to visit as well as recommendations for transportation, hotels and restaurants. I hope I will also help you to discover amazing off the beaten path destinations in Mexico!

Related Stories

Tulum’s Best Restaurants: A Food Lover’s Guide for Every Wallet

Kitesurfing in El Cuyo: The Comprehensive Guide to Yucatan’s Wind Paradise

2 Days in Tulum: The Perfect Itinerary (First Time Visit)

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Your Website (optional)

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• All our Guides about Mexico

10 MEJORES actividades y visitas turísticas en Celestún

Visitas turísticas en celestún.

• Tours en autobús
• Tours turísticos
• Tours privados
• Tours por la ciudad
• Hasta 1 hora
• De 1 a 4 horas
• De 4 horas a 1 día
• 5.0 de 5 burbujas
• 4.0 de 5 burbujas y más
• 3.0 de 5 burbujas y más
• 2.0 de 5 burbujas y más
• La clasificación de tours, actividades y experiencias disponibles en Tripadvisor se determina según varios factores, incluidos los ingresos generados por Tripadvisor a partir de estas reservaciones, la frecuencia de los clics de los usuarios y el volumen y la calidad de las opiniones de los clientes. A veces, es posible que se priorice a las ofertas recientemente publicadas y que aparezcan en un lugar más alto de la lista. La ubicación específica de estos nuevos perfiles puede variar.

1. Paseo en barco por la playa de Celestún y los manglares desde Mérida

2. Celestun - Tour en lancha desde Merida

3. Excursión a la Reserva de la Biosfera Celestún desde Mérida

4. Tour Privado Celestún Avistamiento de Flamencos y Playa

5. Tour privado: Reserva de la biosfera de Celestún por Yucatan Concierge

6. Celestun Nature Reserve Flamingo Tour-Boat a Flamingo Paradise desde Mérida

7. Excursión a Celestún, Natación, Caminata y Paseo en Bote

8. Tour a Celestún conoce los flamingos

9. Tour Privado Día Completo a Celestún desde Mérida con Recogida

10. Tour privado de avistamiento de flamencos en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Celestún

Sigue divirtiéndote con otras experiencias en la zona.

Tour Día Completo por Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza, Cenote & Almuerzo Buffet

Chichen Itza, Cenote, Experiencia Gastronomica e Izamal Magico

Recorrido gastronómico a pie por Mérida. Cocina auténtica y local

Recorrido a pie por el Centro Histórico de Mérida

Sabor de Yucatán: Clase de cocina en Mérida

Recorrido gastronómico a pie por las calles de Mérida

Excursión a Chichen Itza y Cenote desde Mérida

Clase privada de cocina de Yucatán en un hogar local de Mérida

Ría Lagartos, Coloradas y Playa Cancunito desde Mérida

Tour Día Completo Chichen Pueblos Mágicos Izamal y Valladolid

Mérida Tour Privado con un Presupuesto

3 Horas de Tour Privado en Mérida, tu eliges!

Tour de 3 horas en el Museo Vivo Sotuta de Peón

Mérida Like a Local: Tour privado personalizado

Aprende Paddle Board y Explora los Manglares de Progreso

Cenotes antiguos Homún de día completo desde Mérida

Kayak de sisal por manglares y observación de aves desde Mérida

Pase con todo incluido al Silcer Beach Club

Tour a Pie en la Ciudad de Mérida

Jornada Cultural en Uxmal, Tour Ruinas Kahba desde Mérida

Excursión a las ruinas mayas de Xcambo y descanso en la playa

Recorrido a las ruinas mayas de Mayapán y baño en cenote

kayak a través de los manglares hasta la playa secreta

Chichén Itzá Nado Premium en Cenote Ikkil Explora Izamal Village

Recorrido en bus por la Ciudad de Mérida guiado

Visita Guiada de 6 horas a Uxmal y Kabah Express

Costa Esmeralda 5 en 1

Casa Cacao - Viaje del Grano de Cacao al Chocolate

Tour a Uxmal + Museo del Chocolate Choco Story

Qué están diciendo los viajeros.

• Paseo en barco por la playa de Celestún y los manglares desde Mérida
• Excursión a la Reserva de la Biosfera Celestún desde Mérida
• Celestun - Tour en lancha desde Merida
• Tour Privado Celestún Avistamiento de Flamencos y Playa
• Tour Privado Día Completo a Celestún desde Mérida con Recogida
• Guardianes De Los Manglares De Dzinintún
• Flamingo Tours
• Totem Beach Club
• Sheartail Expeditions

Celestún Tour from Mérida

Quick Details

• Globe Region: Mexico
• Map Marker Location: Mérida
• Hour Glass Duration: 7 hours

Embark on an unforgettable journey to Celestún , a natural paradise nestled on the pristine Gulf of Mexico coastline, just 90 km away from the vibrant city of Mérida. Step into a biosphere reserve that boasts a rich tapestry of wetlands, mangroves, dunes, petenes, jungles, and grasslands, preserving the delicate balance of this thriving ecosystem.

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of this coastal corridor through a captivating boat ride where you’ll witness the vibrant wildlife and visit the feeding area of magnificent flamingos.

As you glide through the picturesque estuary, be captivated by the stunning scenery that unfolds before your eyes. Marvel at the diverse bird species, including the elegant flamingos, as they gracefully inhabit their natural habitat. Explore the intricate mangrove trails, where you’ll discover the delicate harmony that exists within this unique ecosystem.

After the boat ride, indulge in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, offering an array of flavors that showcase the region’s culinary delights (food not included in the price). Relish some free time to soak up the sun and enjoy the pristine beach, allowing the tranquil beauty of Celestún to envelop your senses.

With round-trip air-conditioned transportation from your hotel and an official professional guide, this tour ensures a seamless and immersive experience. Let the allure of Celestún’s natural wonders, the vibrant wildlife, and the serene coastal landscapes transport you to a world of tranquility and awe-inspiring beauty.

Highlights:

• Discover the enchanting coastal paradise of Celestún
• Embark on a captivating boat ride through the estuary
• Witness the vibrant birdlife and flamingos
• Explore the intricate mangrove trails of this unique ecosystem
• Enjoy free time on the pristine beach

Inclusions:

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Certified bilingual guide
• Entrance to Celestun

Exclusions:

• Food and drinks
• Optional gratuities

Do not forget to bring a swimsuit and a towel.

Related Tours

• Hour Glass 2 hours
• Map Marker Mérida

Mérida City Sightseeing Tour

Get to know the pre-Hispanic, colonial, and current history of this beautiful city on a sightseeing tour that visits parks, plazas, mansions, and other attractions.

• Hour Glass 9 hours

Magic Towns Tour From Mérida

Tour the streets, parks, and facades of Izamal and Valladolid, and experience the origins of the recent history of the Maya and contemporary Yucatecan society.

Getty Images/Flickr RF

West of Mérida, Celestún is a sleepy sun-scorched fishing village that moves at a turtle’s pace – and that’s the way locals like it. There’s a pretty-enough little square in the town center and some nice beaches, but the real draw is Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestún, a wildlife sanctuary abounding in waterfowl, with flamingos the star attraction.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Celestún. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestún

The 591-sq-km Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestún is home to a huge variety of animals and birdlife, including a large flamingo colony. You can see…

Hacienda Real de Salinas

This abandoned hacienda, a few kilometers southeast of town, once produced dyewood and salt, and served as a summer home for a Campeche family. It’s 5km…

Plan with a local

Experience the real Mexico

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Celestún with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser .

Celestun Tour

A natural and protected biosphere reserve

Celestun is located 90 km from Merida, Yucatan. It is a port full of mystery and also it is home from countless exotic species from the Yucatan Peninsula, such as the American Pink Flamingo, which during the nesting season, its flight and its unmistakable sounds converts the ambiance into a beautiful natural spectacle to see.

Celestun means in Mayan language "Painted Stone". Celestun is located at The Ria Celestun Natural Park, or "Ria de Celestun" as the estuary is locally called, with 22.5 km. (14 miles) long and 1.25 km. (0.8 miles) width, this place is part of Protected Areas Program. A program in charge of preserving and take care of the natural resources of these areas, the mangroves, the coastal dune vegetation, the tropical savannah, tropical forest, and tular vegetation such as palm trees, cactuses even orchids. Besides, this place is considering main wintering area for greater flamingos, being the months of December to February when these exotic population reaches closely 23,000 thousand of flamingoes species per year. Celestun is mostly visited by local people, but also exist an important arriving of visitors from various foreign countries mainly from Europe. This kind of tourism enjoy truly to do activities surrounded by natural landscapes such as these ones, hiking and ecotourism activities. Celestun rivers are approximately 2.60 mt. to 2.80 mt. deep. Travel around these Canals on board tiny boats is an incredible and natural activity where you can stop to appreciate a panoramic view it really worthwhile to see. Hundreds of pink birds take flight filling and framed the sky with pink tones offering an incredibly pink spectacle. Local guides and boatmen confirmed that you can see at least five thousand of flamingos daily. The beach is formed by fine and white sands, at the top of the sandy bar of the beach you can reach to see the Ria, a complex lagoon system channels connected with the ocean. Enjoy with us the Celestun charm, traveling into one of the greatest adventure through the mangroves channels, covered with trees foliage and lulled by the sound of the birds. You will find wide beaches riddled by coconut trees. The water is peaceful and you will enjoy of the crystal clear water too. You can appreciate the spectacular Yucatan's environment from the boats. Finish the tour you going to enjoy a delicious seafood lunch in front of the beautiful Celestun beach.

• Private transportation
• Boat trip out to the Ria Celestun
• Lunch at the Pampanos restaurant located on the shore of the beach
• Traditional lunch (includes: ceviche as entrance, main dish shrimp, fish filet cooked to your liking and beverages)
• Free time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, close to the beach even time to swim in here
• On board cooler with beers, sodas and bottled water

Not included

Recommendations.

• Comfortable Shoes and cloths
• Biodegradable Sunscreen

• Australia & New Zealand
• Cambodia & Vietnam
• U.K & Europe
• USA & Canada
• Sth America
• Beautiful Gardens Around the World
• Historic Homes and Gardens
• Bike Paths & Rail Trails
• Tips and advice

The flamingos of Celestun, Mexico: Everything you need to know before you go.

The Flamingos of  Celestun, in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Where can you see flamingos in mexico.

When is the flamingo season in Mexico?

How do you get to celestun, take a tour from merida , or - hire a car and do it yourself..

Do you need to take a tour to see the flamingos?

Where do you go to join a tour, how much is the tour, what is the tour like  how many flamingos will you see, the ojo de agua., can you stay at celestun, a few flamingo facts:.

• There are six different species of flamingos. The American Flamingo, found at Celestun, is the largest and pinkest.
• Flamingos are white, not pink, when they are born. They obtain their pink colour from the colour of the worms they feed on.
• A mating pair of flamingos produce one egg which takes about a month to hatch. Both males and females help to sit on the egg.

Also on Mexico:

• Chichen Itza: Everything you need to know before you visit.
• Mayapan Archaeological Zone: Chichen Itza without the crowds.
• The Mayan Ruins of Coba
• Uxmal: Mayan ruins on a grand scale
• Watch out for topes! And other life saving tips for driving in Mexico
• How NOT to buy a souvenir: 8 tips on avoiding that piece of useless junk

46 comments:

They obtain their pink colour from the colour of the worms they feed on. - oh my! Pink flamingos are not that cute after all. 😂

Our guide scooped up a handful of (very pink) worms to show us.

You are not the only one that didn't know about their black feathers. I have only seen small flocks of flamingos (and not the plastic lawn ornament variety) so it must be a real thrill to see more than 1,000. I did not know that they ate worms; I thought they ate some type of shellfish that gave them the pink colour.

The black feathers are gorgeous. They contrast with the pink to make flamingos in flight a sight to behold. Like you I had only ever seen small flocks before we went to Celestun. They were always in captivity and I realise now they probably had their wings clipped so they couldn't fly.

I think flamingos are pretty birds and yes, just like you, I didn't know that they have black feathers on their wings! And now I know that they get the pink colours from the pink worms that they eat - had always assumed they were born pink! :-) #TheWeeklyPostcard

If you do a search for baby flamingos on the internet you will probably find a few photos of them - all fluffy and very white. I recall seeing a couple of photos when I was researching our trip.

They look beautiful, no matter where they get the pink color from. #weekendwanderlust

Absolutely!

So excited to read this! I like how you gave as many tips as possible for seeing the flamingos!! I definitely want to go! I've actually never seen flamingos in their natural habitat before! Thanks so much for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard! (www.caliglobetrotter.com)

I had only ever seen flamingos before in captivity. Seeing them in the wild was so much better.

WOW this looks so cool. We were in Mexico recently but unfortunately no Flamingos for us. Thanks for all the great information, I've pinned this for next time we're back.

I see from your blog that you visited the Yucatan Peninsula. It was definitely my favourite part of Mexico.

I didn't know about the flamingos of celestun before so thanks for enlightening me. Your photos are fantastic! And I didn't know they ate worms - I always heard that their pink color came from eating shrimp.

Maybe they eat shrimp as well, perhaps in other places. Our guide reached down and grabbed a handful of sand so we we could see the worms.

I have never seen flamingos bu your post was extremely educative and enlightening, Lyn. I really didn't know about their color and I really hope I'll get the chance to see them!

I am am sure I have seen them somewhere in Sydney - at the zoo perhaps. Maybe they aren't there any more.

I haven't seen th Celestun flamingos, though I'm sure we've driven through the village at one point; we go to Yucatan often, and drive the old roads aas much as possible. We've actually seen flamingos in Puerto Morelos, on the lagoon before we get to th town. I think it was in January; we just drove by the place, and there they were, hundreds of them. Beautiful birds. But I would still love to go to Celestun, seems like you see more of them, and the boat ride would definitely be worth it. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard. Glad you like Yucatan, it's one of my favorite parts of the world :)

I loved Yucatan - every inch of it.

So beautiful! I just realized I´ve never seen them in flight. I wish I knew about it back when we visited Mexico - love wildlife! Thanks for sharing #TheWeeklyPostcard

Now you will just have to go back to Mexico! I don't know about you but I hate it when I find out there was something great which I missed when I travelled to a place - sorry about that. My mother used to do this to me all the time. I would hardly be off the plane and she would say 'Did you see...' and it was nearly always something I had missed.

Brilliant shots Lyn! Pinkest on earth indeed; I've not seen any flamingos that come close to this color....from my online viewing. Definitely worth a tour because I love seeing wildlife in its natural setting. Rocking post. Ryan

The pink colour was stunning, although to be honest I think I have probably seen a few in captivity which rivalled it.

I've never seen flamingos in Mexico, although I've been in the Yucatan Peninsula 5-6 times so far. They seem to have a very bright color. I've seen flamingos in Patagonia this past spring and they were lighter in color. They were also very shy. We couldn't get too close to photograph them. Gorgeous pictures! #TheWeeklyPostcard

The flamingos at Celestun were not at all concerned by our proximity. I think they must have got used to being looked at and photographed over the years. There was a small group near the entrance to the mangroves leading to the Ojo de Agua and they were almost white. I don't know why - perhaps their diet was slightly different to the main groups.

I I have just added this to my bucket list! Great post!

I look forward to reading your post on Celestun one day.

What a great post! I'd love to see those flamingos in the wild. I recently saw the marching flamingos in the Nassau zoo and that was quite amazing, but seeing them en masse in the wild must be more thrilling--especially in flight.

What on earth is a marching flamingo? It sounds like a fun thing to watch.

God-sent! We will be in Cancun in October next year so I will have somewhere else to go besides Chicken Itza, thanks to you. But we will go to Rio Lagartos!

Rio Lagartos is probably better than Celestun in October. From Cancun you could investigate going to Holbox Island too. Maybe you should also think about Coba and/or Tulum. They are both about the same distance as Chichen Itza from Cancun. Coba is hidden away in the jungle so it is cooler than the other ruins. It was by far my favourite. Keep an eye out for my next few posts because I will write up both Coba and Tulum soon.

Such beautiful birds and an awesome reason to visit this area. Love that there is also a rockpool to check out. Sounds like a responsible way to see these animals. Thanks for sharing!

Even without the flamingos Celestun is worth a detour, just to see a laid back Mexican town, although I wouldn't drive for hours to see it.

What amazing creatures and your photographs capture the flamingos so well! I hope to get to Merida and make a detour to Celestun.

If you go to the Yucatan Peninsula but don't get as far as Mexico, you can always try seeing the flamingos at Rio Lagartos. Rio Lagartos can be done in a long day trip from Cancun, or stay a couple of nights at Valladolidand go from there. Valladolid is lovely.

I recently saw flamingos from a distance in Bonaire, an island in the Netherlands Antilles. You really got an up close view of them in the wild! I was told they get their pink color from eating brine shrimp and algae, but just looked it up and see that larvae are also one of the foods they can find, so I am assuming it depends on location and availability... In any case, they are magnificent birds! Great post and pix!

I agree with you that their diet probably depends on the location. Perhaps that is why some flamingos are pinker than others.

Thanks for such an informative post - super helpful as we plan our own trip!

My pleasure. If you have any questions I am happy to help.

Great info. Thanks for sharing. We saw the flamingos on the way to Holbox. Not many of them and they don't get you very close. I'm curious, how close did the guide take you to the birds? I'm hoping my 70-200mm lens will do the trick. I have a 600mm but it's big and heavy and I don't know how well it would perform in a boat (steadiness).

I took the photos in this blog post with a little point and shoot camera - a Canon SX710 which only has a 30x zoom. Our boat got to within about 25 metres of the flamingoes. The boat was very steady because the Celestun Biosphere Reserve is a river delta rather than out at sea. I haven't been to Holbox but looking at a map I imagine the water wouldn't be as calm there.

Hey. We are going tomorrow from Merida… how early do you think we need to get there?

I apologise for taking so long to reply. I hope you enjoyed the flamingoes as much as we did. If anyone else reads this and wants to know how early to get there. Don't worry, we took a thousand wrong turns on the way, and didn't arrive until lunch time. The flamingoes seem to be there all day.

After reading your blog we were really excited to go to Celestun today. What a disappointment! We caught the 8am bus from Merida as there’s no 7am bus and we thought 6am was a touch early to get up on holiday, but how I wish we had as we didn’t get to our destination until almost 11 am. A boat tour ‘tout’ on the beach talked us and another passenger into sharing a boat for 600 pesos each, insisting it was low season and no other tourists would turn up to fill the boat. Believing him was our second mistake, as while we were on the water several boats of six people went by… After about 15 minutes, we docked by an old ruin and were shepherded on to a motorbike taxi ‘to be shown the flamingoes’. We were sped along to a few swimming flamingoes, beautiful and graceful yes, and the driver pointed to several more in the distance, out of the water, which was indeed an amazing sight, but they were so far away we certainly couldn’t distinguish the black feathers you mentioned. Back in the taxi, we sped to another site where again a few flamingoes were swimming. Then back to the boat, having parted with another 20 pesos per person for the taxi driver. At this point I thought we’d go somewhere else to see these incredible birds, having only had about 10 minutes viewing on what was - we had been promised - a two hour trip, but no, that was it as far as these beautiful creatures were concerned. Of course I realise they’re wild birds and numbers can’t be guaranteed but we certainly felt short-changed in the amount of time we were allocated. The rest of the trip was speeding in the boat alongside the mangrove, then about 5 minutes slowly sailing down it, where we saw black and red crabs, enormous termite mounds and one or two water birds. Back on the open water we were taken to the Eye of Water, but our boatman had to be persuaded to let us get out there. He clearly believed- and I agree - it wasn’t worth stopping: it was just a square pool of very murky water. With my limited Spanish I managed to ascertain that rains yesterday caused this. We did see some frigates, pelicans and gulls roosting in the trees above us though. With that, we then sped back to shore, passing colonies of pelicans (exciting for me as a Brit, since I’ve only seen the captive ones in London’s St James Park before this) and a couple of hawks and eagles flying above vegetation inshore. The whole trip lasted 1 hour 30 minutes at best, not two hours, and I really felt that extra half hour could have been spent watching the flamingoes. So, in summary, we did see flamingoes, and although few in number they were stunning, but we ended up feeling ripped off and prey to the tourism culture enveloping this part of Mexico.

I am so sorry you had such a disappointing time. The experience you describe could not be more different from the experience we had. I wonder if taking your boat tour from the beach was part of the problem. We took a 'Parador Turistico Cultur tour' from the wharves as you come into town across the bridge. It seems unlikely that was the problem though - we saw hundreds of birds and yet you saw only a few. I hope that your disappointment hasn't affected your view of the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a place I will always remember fondly.

An update as of March 17, 2024. Cost of a tour boat to see the flamingos, other birds, and the Ojo de Agua is now $3,000 (Mx) or about $180 (US). We rented a car and drove from Merida to Celestun on the main highways...no toll roads now...easy drive. A marvelous tour...for birders, you can also expect roseate spoonbills, ospreys, magnificent frigatebirds, herons and egrets of various types, etc. We arrived early on a Sunday (around 8 am) and it took a few minutes before another couple came with whom we could share the cost. As before, cash only. Seems "touristy," but we would absolutely do it again based the extraordinary experience of seeing the birds. In sum, much of this website still contains accurate and valuable info. Thank you for this post!

Thankyou! I very much appreciate your comment. I have copied it and included it in my post so readers who don't read the comments will find it. I originally wrote this post because there was so little information available on seeing the Celestun Flamingos. Judging by how popular the post is, that situation doesn't seem to have changed.

Tour Celestún

Tour Celestún. Reserva el Tour Celestún. El tour Celestún es una oportunidad para descubrir esta ciudad famosa por sus flamencos. Uno de los aspectos más importantes del recorrido es la posibilidad de ver la laguna (Ojo de Agua cristalina). También puedes disfrutar de un pescado al gusto frente al mar y olvidarte de tu rutina diaria.

Celestún  es un puerto al este de la Reserva de la Biosfera de Yucatán y está ubicado en un corredor de humedales costeros donde puedes observar manglares.

Horario del Tour: 9:00 am a 6:30 pm

Descripción

Incluye: Transporte, Guía Certificado, Seguro Viajero, La Lancha. No incluye Alimentos y Bebidas.

Ojo de Agua cristalina

Precio por persona, pagar en línea es fácil y seguro.

1.- Click en Pagar con PayPal.

2.- Estando en PayPal, en Cantidad indica el número de personas que irán en el Tour. 

3.- Al completar el pago, el sitio web te redirigirá a un formulario para que puedas llenar tus datos de reservación.

4.-  Espera nuestra Confirmación. Contáctanos vía WhatsApp 9993508585   para cualquier duda.

5.- Prepárate para disfrutar tu Tour.

Pagar en Oxxo / Transferencia Bancaria

Si deseas pagar por medio de transferencia ó deposito en OXXO, escríbenos vía WhatsApp al 9993508585

Tours Privados y Colectivos con guías certificados. Vamos por nuestros clientes donde esté hospedado en cualquier punto de la ciudad. Experiencias únicas en Yucatán.

Disfruta de un traslado seguro y cómodo del aeropuerto internacional de Mérida a su Hotel o Airbnb, realizamos traslados por todo el estado de Yucatán.

Renta de Autos

Renta de Autos y Camionetas, comunícate con nosotros, tenemos la mejor opción con entrega en la puerta de su Hotel Airbnb ó Aeropuerto. Vehículos asegurados.

Viajar es vivir ♥️ #ToursYucatánMérida

Comentarios de touristas, todos los derechos reservados @2024.

Celestun Self-Guided Day Trip From Merida, Mexico

DESTINATIONS , MEXICO

Are you based in Merida and want to see something other than the Mayan ruins sites, cenotes, or old colonial buildings? Does a powdery sand beach, beautiful pink flamingos, and a maze of mangroves sound amazing? Then, a Celestun self-guided day trip from Merida should definitely be on your list. Are you unsure how to do it on your own, whether it is worth visiting, or what to see in Celestun? Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered!

Disclosure. Lizytravelstheworld is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! Lizy

Table of Contents

Things to Know Before Your Celestun Self-Guided Day Trip from Merida

I knew I wanted to visit Celestun and see the flamingos the moment we reached Merida, but finding the right information about getting there and booking the boat trip was confusing.

Not many consider it worth taking the two-hour bus ride to get there only to see some flamingos or a deserted beach, but I am so glad we decided to go on this self-guided day trip!

It was worth the trouble of doing some research since we had such a fantastic time indulging in seafood at a restaurant on the beach, strolling through the sleepy town, viewing wildlife, and enjoying the warmth and hospitality of the locals! 

About Celestun

Celestun is a secluded fishing village well known for its mangrove forest, which occasionally hosts a vast flamingo population. It is also known for its beaches, which serve as a hatching ground for sea turtles.

On one side, you’ll have the biosphere reserve; on the other side is the ocean, so it’s rather a sleepy town, and the nightlife is almost nonexistent.

But if you’re looking for a laid-back village with no one around, you should consider this Celestun self-guided day trip from Merida.

How far is Celestun from Merida?

The distance from Merida to Celestun is 90 kilometers, and depending on your means of transportation, the journey takes 1 to 2 hours. 

Best time to visit Celestun on a self-guided day trip from Merida 

The flamingo season in Celestun starts in November and lasts until April, with December to February being the best months to spot the world’s largest population of American flamingos. By March, the migration starts over, and they’ll be soon gone. If you travel during those months, a Celstun self-guided day trip should be high on your list; just make sure to start your day early.

Even if you come in the off-season, that doesn’t mean you should skip a boat ride through the mangrove forest and visit other area residents. If you’re coming for the beaches, remember that they are not as spectacular as those on Quintana Roo but definitely have a chilled vibe.

Is Celestun worth visiting?

I can definitely say YES. Even if it is only a day trip from Merida, it is worth the trip. If you visit in the right period of the year, you can see flamingos, explore the mangrove forest, and lie down at the beach.

It’s also a great way to escape Merida’s fever for a couple of days, slow down, and unwind. Take long walks on the beach, indulge in Mexican cuisine, and explore the Ria Celestun mangrove forest! 

What to bring on a Celestun self-guided day trip from Merida?

Have you ever seen a flamingo flying in the wild? Bring your binoculars for a better view of these majestic beauties. I don’t have to mention the zoom lenses since you’ll see the flamingos only from a boat, from a considerable distance. 

It will also get hot, so wear a hat or a scarf to have on you during the boat ride. 

Are you visiting Celestun for the beach or to swim in a freshwater spring? If you plan to spend a couple of hours at the beach, bring a swimsuit and sunscreen. 

You’ll find everything here in terms of food, so grab some snacks from a street food vendor and go on a picnic on the beach. Or maybe try some delicious seafood while admiring the sea at the terraces along the beach. 

Lastly, remember to bring insect repellent, as there are mosquitoes in the mangroves—and they are nasty!

How to Get to Celestun on a Self-Guided Day Trip from Merida

Depending on your budget, you can choose from several transportation options to get to Celestún from Mérida. You can get from Merida to Celestun by renting a car, taking a bus, taking Colectivo, or booking a tour.

You can get to Celestun by renting a car, a common way to visit this part of Mexico. The best site to book a rental car in Mexico is Discover Cars . This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from many trusted companies, which enables them to secure the best car rental prices. This is the easiest way to rent a car in the Yucatan Peninsula. The rental prices are low, and they usually include insurance.

The drive takes no more than 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the road is pretty good. You can even rent a car for the day from one of the rental offices in Merida at a reasonable price. Drive westbound on Highway 281, and you’ll reach Celestun in no time!

By public bus

Daily, Oriente buses leave hourly from Noreste Terminal in Merida, located at the intersection of Calle 67 & Calle 50 (write Terminal Noreste Merdia in Google Maps, and you’ll find the right location). There is also the possibility of taking the bus to Celestun from Merida Centro Historico. 

Go early in the morning, at 6 am or 8 am, as the drive takes a bit over two hours. The last bus from Merida to Celestun is at 8 pm.

Buy either a return ticket or only a one-way ticket, and decide later how to return to Merida.

To return to Merida, take the Oriente bus from the bus station at Calle 13 between Calle 4 & 6 in Celestun , which is in the center of town.

The disadvantage of taking the bus is that sometimes it takes forever to depart, even when the number of passengers per vehicle has already been reached. Consider renting a car if three hours on a bus seems too much for you!

By Colectivo

Paradero de Combis Celestun – Merida is the company that runs between those places multiple times a day( simply write the name in Google Maps and you’ll find the right location)

Adress: 97000, entre 48 y av. 1° de mayo, Calle 67 454p, Calle 67 454p, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico ( in front of the public market) 

Their timetable changes frequently and they are not very reliable so maybe you should consider taking the public bus. 

You can find the Colectivo parking area in Celestun, near the bus station, and they usually depart 15 minutes before buses do. As soon as you recognize the Catholic Church(Iglesia Católoca) in Celestun, you’ll be able to find the bus/Colectivo station as well.

Book a day tour from Merida, the safest bet! 

If renting a car or spending almost three hours on a bus is not an option, you might consider joining a tour. You will be picked up directly from your hotel in Merida, so you don’t have to stress about getting to Celestun. You’ll get to explore the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve, take a scenic boat ride through the mangroves, swim at the freshwater springs, and enjoy some free time at the beach. 

BOOK YOUR TOUR TO CELESTUN HERE

How we did it . We wanted to travel by Colectivo to Celestun, but the information on our departure station was incorrect. So we went by bus to Celestun and came back via Colectivo. Next time, we’ll make sure to rent a car, since it will give us more free time to enjoy the beauty of this place.

Best Things to Do in Celestun on a Self-Guided Day Trip from Merida 

Ria celestun boat ride to see the flamingos.

Flamingos have always been a fascination with their elegant curvy necks, long, backward-bending legs, beautiful pink color, and graceful gestures.

Observing them in the wild from a distance is the main reason why you’re considering going on a Celestun self-guided day trip from Merida, am I right? So, let’s dive in. There are two alternatives to getting the boat:

Going on a boat tour from the beach 

Once in Celestun, leave the bus station behind and head to the beach. You will see many motorboats waiting here. The tour takes around two hours and drives you through a beautiful lagoon to the Pink Beauties area.

The boatmen do not speak English, but don’t you worry; there is no need for translation. The wildlife makes herself present in no time, and you just want to keep silent, admire the views, and take in the sounds. 

Going on a boat tour from the bridge

Just before you reach Celestun, the road passes a small bridge. Make a quick turn to the left, and you’ll see the parking lot. You can embark on a motorboat tour from here to see the flamingos. It’s the authorized boat parking lot, closer to the flamingo area, which makes this tour shorter but surprisingly costly. 

If you are short on time, choose this option. Just make sure to ask the bus or Colectivo driver to stop here; otherwise, you will have to walk back around 1.5 kilometers. 

Join a public boat and split the cost with others, although sometimes you might have to wait for others to join. Or book your private boat.

TIP . Usually, the prices are per boat(around 3,000 pesos for six people) , so for a more cost-effective experience, ask others to join your boat or wait for other tourists who are also interested in a boat ride( the price for individuals is 500 pesos ). We asked another couple traveling on the same bus from Merida to share a boat with us, and we split the bill. 

Our Celestun self-guided day trip from Merida experience

After leaving the dock, we soon reached the beautiful coastline. Suddenly, everything changed: the scenery transformed dramatically, and the place felt quiet and alluring. Birds were waiting to be captured, and fish escorted our boat for nearly 20 minutes when we finally reached the flamingo spot. 

The color of these birds was so vibrant, and they looked so relaxed. Apparently, the colors appear from the crustaceans they consume, but it takes up to two years for the youngsters to turn pink. The boatman slowed the boat down and let us enjoy the silence for another 20 minutes—such a joy to be here and watch them in their natural habitat. We were amazed by the number and the beauty of these elongated necks and spindly legs pink birds, who just stood there and let us photograph them! 

Along with the pink, bright birds, we witnessed other birdlife: herons, egrets, cormorants, pelicans, and spoonbills. 

The Mangroves Forest 

After observing the flamingos, the boat slowly made its way into the mangrove forest. We were suddenly in a completely different world, so we left the boat and walked on a wooden walkway to get deep inside the thick mangrove forest. 

Soon, we reached a freshwater spring called Ojo de Agua, but no one from our group was brave enough to swim as the wetness didn’t look so appealing. We hoped to spot an alligator but had no luck at all. After that, we returned to the boat station and ended our 2 hours tour.

Playa Celestun

If you were to come to Celestun just for the beach, it would be well worth it. It’s not as glamorous and polished as Cancun or Tulum, but it’s serene here. Everything seems natural and unadulterated, as if time had stood still. There is a charm that almost makes me return to this forgotten village.

Since many people come to Celestun only to see the flamingos, the beach is mostly deserted. If you’re coming on a Celestun self-guided day trip from Merida, you should consider spending some time here. Lay in the sun, collect seashells, sample seafood on one of the terraces, or take a walk on the beach! You can even see pelicans in the distance if you keep your eyes peeled.

If you stay overnight in Celestun, don’t forget to watch the sunset from the beach, something you don’t get to witness in Quintana Roo.

Explore the Village 

After visiting the Ria Celestun Reserve, you still have plenty of time to explore the sleepy village.

If you are hungry, there are a few nice restaurants with fresh seafood. However, if you buy snacks from the food stalls, picnic on the beautiful white sandy beach. Maybe some cute stray dogs will accompany you along, but they are harmless.

Exploring the village is another must-do thing on this Celestun self-guided day trip from Merida.

Walking around the village’s central part, you will notice the beautiful Catholic church guarding the plaza. You’ll find some dusty small shops and eateries, but other than that, everything looks frozen. Get lost in the maze of lanes, witness how the locals live and indulge in the atmosphere.

Want to explore more? For a small price, rent a bicycle taxi and driver from the beach to take you through the village. You will love it!

My recommendation is to taste some homemade ice cream from the man selling it on the streets near the beach before heading to the bus or Colectivo station. It will be simply delicious!

Overnight in Celestun on your self-guided trip from Merida

If you have time and travel independently, consider staying in Celestun overnight. Leave Merida around noon and arrive in Celestun in the late afternoon. Get a boat tour about this time of the day. The sun is lower on the horizon, and you will have more vivid colors of the pink residents and water. The only downside is the limited chances of sharing the boat with other tourists.

Planning a Trip to Mexico?

Get an esim before the trip.

Because phones have become our most important devices, it’s necessary to have a data connection as soon as you step foot in a different country. Your home data plan might only work if you paid for a much more expensive package, finding wifi connections in airports or train stations might be tricky, and seeking a local store to buy a SIM card might be exhausting. Forget all of that!

You just purchase an e-SIM, install it on your phone, and activate the plan when you’re ready to use it. Getting out of the plane and instantly connecting to data was a game changer for me. I didn’t have to waste time standing in line to get a local SIM card or finding a wifi connection to book a taxi to reach my hotel.

If you ask me, getting an e-SIM is a quintessential part of traveling. There is no physical installation and no long-term commitments. And the best part is that you can always top up or purchase a new plan through the app. Pretty convenient, right? Find the best data plan for Mexico  HERE .

Secure your travel insurance

We never leave home without travel insurance designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong. If you’re still on the lookout for travel insurance for your trip to Mexico, I highly recommend  HEYMONDO,  a trusted insurance provider for leisure and business trips, backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads. Their travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.

Mexico related articles

If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, then you might want to take a look at my other travel guides about Mexico:

EXPLORING COBA RUINS ON YOUR OWN, MEXICO

10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MERIDA, MEXICO

EXPLORING CHICHEN ITZA ON YOUR OWN, MEXICO

SELF-GUIDED DAY TRIP TO SIAN KA’AN & MUYIL RUINS . Are you interested in floating through a mangrove forest in a crystal-clear Mayan canal on a self-guided day trip?  Learn how from this article!

Are You on Pinterest? Pin This Image and Save It for Later!

You may also like

The Best 7 Secluded Beaches In SEYCHELLES

How To Visit Little Petra in Jordan: Everything You Need To Know Before Your Visit

One Day In Cape Agulhas Itinerary. How To See The Best Of Cape Agulhas In One Day

Thanks for such a clear, practical post. I’m visiting Merida next year and this day trip sounds great.

Thank you, Isie! I hope you visited Celestun and enjoyed it as much as I did!

As of 2024 March the price per boat is 3000 pesos plus tax.

Thank you, Jason, for letting us know! Happy travels!

Important information missing – the bus to Celestún is stoping also as Merida Centro Historico stop. The time table (but for the origin from Oriente terminal) is accessible on their FB page – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068562369200 The newest one I have found out is from July 2022. https://facebook.com/photo.php/?fbid=518868116651568 Have a nice trip y’all!

Thank you Michal. I made sure to mention this in the article as well!

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome to my world!

I’m LIZY. Lover of new destinations. Exploring the world as often as possible. Sharing travel tips, road trip itineraries, kayaking & ski destinations.

Follow me here

• DESTINATIONS
• SOUTH AFRICA

Roaming Around the World

Travel Guides, Tips, and Tales

In Search of Flamingos in Celestún

January 23, 2014 By John Widmer 12 Comments

After spending a few days in the beautiful walled city of Campeche, it was onward to the sleepy beach town of Celestún. Soon after arriving we scored a very nice, yet inexpensive, ocean-view room. Which was surprising because our January visit supposedly high season. Yet the small beach town of Celestun was rather empty.

We had the beautiful beach entirely to ourselves!

At about $30 a night, we couldn’t believe what a bargain it was. Our room even had a balcony with an ocean view! Celestun’s little hotels maybe some of the least expensive beachside hotels in the world.

The particular hotel we stayed at no longer exists in Celestun. But the deals are still around! Check prices and availability at beachfront Hotel San Julio .

Anyhow, we came to Celestún not to chill on the beach, but because it is where you’re supposed to be able to see flocks of wild flamingos. We had read conflicting reports on the Internet and guidebooks of what the best time of year is to be able to see the flamingos in Celestun. We thought our mid-January trip could turn out to be a botched excursion.

Update : November to March tends to be the best time of year to see flamingos in Celestun in high numbers. But there are flamingos in Celestun year round.

So after a late lunch of locally caught grilled fish and a quick stroll on Celestun beach, we ventured out in hopes that we’d still at least see a few lingering flamingos.

After arriving to the boat docks of an inland lagoon, the guides said they would take us out for $1,500 pesos for a 1.5 to 2-hour flamingo boat tour. It seemed like quite a high price for the Celestun flamingo tour. But we soon learned the price would be $1,500 pesos total for the entire boat which fits seven people.

So we decided to wait around in order to share the cost. Unfortunately, no one else came. The town was quite empty of visitors. Nearly all the restaurants were closed.

The boat guide guaranteed us that we would see flamingos. But with a nearly vacant town, we were skeptical. As it was starting to get late, we decided to try again first thing in the morning when flamingos tend to be more active.

It was a good night sleep at our little beachfront hotel, with the subtle sounds of the ocean lulling us to sleep. We were dreaming of flamingos. And the next day, our dreams would come true!

Shortly after returning to the docks on the next morning, we quickly found a few other travelers looking to split the cost of hiring a boat for the Celestun flamingo tour. Perfecto! And so we were off!

After only a few minutes riding into the lagoon, blurs of pink began to come into focus.

It was flocks of flamingos in the water. There were hundreds of them! The flamingos were all feeding on the marine life in the shallow waters below, not more than a foot or two deep at most.

Our guide lifted the motor and was able to maneuver pretty close to these beautiful birds.

Surely you’ve seen flamingos in zoos before, but it was entirely different seeing them out here in the wild.

Then out of nowhere another flock of hundreds of flamingos came soaring from the distance right over our heads. It was a magical sight! Their black-tipped wings spread out wide and their long necks were stretched out front, as they all flew so uniformly together following one another.

Their flight pattern was like water flowing down a stream.

That’s when it hit me what a unique sight this was.

All of the flamingos we had ever seen before in zoos and in captivity, all had clipped wings.

Not here in Celestun. It was flamingos in flight!

We proceeded deeper into the lagoon. Pretty soon the hundreds of flamingos were in the thousands.

Then the flamingos seemed to multiply. There was no way to count them all, but we’d estimate there could have been tens of thousands. So many flamingos!

There were flocks of flamingo everywhere and more continued to fly in from the South. Perhaps we got lucky, but our first-hand experience during January was nothing short of fantastic. The plethora of flamingos we continued seeing everywhere far surpassed any expectations we had.

Our boat continued out of the lagoon and into a mangrove forest tunnel.

Then we came upon a natural spring amongst the mangrove forest in which we got out of the boat for a few-minute walk on a boardwalk to view the spring and take a dip if we wanted.

Those mangroves and the natural spring were interesting.

But it was Celestún’s flamingos that completely stole the show.

Flamingos in Celestun

If You Go: Celestun Flamingo Boat Tour

💲Cost : The 2-hour Celestun flamingo boat tour costs $1,500 pesos per boat. But you can split that cost with up to 6 other people since the boats fit 7 passengers total. You’ll have a chance of paying as little as $215 pesos per person if there happens to be the perfect amount of other people to join you on the boat. But this is not a popular tour. So there is a real possibility that you may arrive at the boat docks and find no one else there to split the costs.

📅 Best time of year to go : The winter months, December through March, generally tend to best time of year to encounter flamingos in large numbers. Yet flamingos can be found around Celestun year-round, so don’t hesitate to go during other time periods. Visitors regularly report seeing over a hundred flamingos, even during the summer months.  That all said, this is nature. So migration patterns can change.

🎒 What to pack : Bathing suit (for the beach), biodegradable sunscreen , drinking water, natural mosquito repellent , a camera, and a hat.

📍 Where to go : The docks for the boat tour are well sign-posted, on the left, about 1.5 km before you reach Celestun’s beaches. Here is the exact location of where you can catch the boats for the Celestun flamingo tour: on Google Maps .

How to Get to Celestun Mexico

🚗 Self-drive from Merida to Celestun: For those who are comfortable driving, it’s possible to rent a car from Merida and drive to Celestun. From Merida, it’s about a 90-minute car ride westbound on Highway 281. 

🚌 Bus from Merida to Celestun : You can take a bus to Celestun from Merida’s  Noreste bus terminal on Calle 50 at 67 . The bus departs hourly from 5:00 am to 8:00 pm. The cost is $56 pesos each way. If visiting only for the boat tour at the Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestun, ask the bus driver if he can drop you off there. Otherwise, you’ll be dropped off near the beach and will need to backtrack by walking (or take a taxi) 1.5 km to the boat docks at the Reserve.

🚐 Celestun Day Tour from Merida : A convenient option to visit Celestun is with a small group tour from Merida. That way, you’ll get picked you up directly from your hotel, with an informative English-speaking guide, to seamlessly get to the Celestun River Biosphere Reserve to see the flamingos. This Celestun Flamingo Tour on GetYourGuide receives positive reviews, includes the flamingo boat tour, a beach-front lunch, and free time at the beach! Check availability and prices .

Where to Stay in Celestun, Mexico

If you want to stay overnight in Celestun, we recommend the beachfront Hotel San Julio . This budget-friendly motel has spacious rooms, is right on the beach near the center of town, and has prices starting at only $30 per night – incredible value!  Search Hotel San Julio for availability on your travel dates .

More Yucatan Adventures

To see more of what we found to be the best eco-adventures, ruins, and beaches throughout the Yucatan, be sure to check out our big detailed travel guide: The Best 15 Day Trips from Merida Mexico .

Continue reading here: Best Yucatan Adventures

Related Posts

March 3, 2018 at 8:12 PM

Wonderful items from you, man. I’ve be aware your stuff previous to and you’re just too great. I actually like what you have acquired right here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which by which you say it. You are making it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it wise. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a tremendous site.

March 20, 2018 at 10:35 AM

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated!

March 7, 2016 at 1:35 AM

Your blog is so amazing and helpful! We are about to take an ambitious ten day road trip around the Yucatan Peninsula and we will be using many of your recommendations! We are hoping to leave Merida in the early morning to visit Celestun for a flamingo adventure and then spend the night at a hotel near Uxmal. Does that day sound too adventurous?

March 8, 2016 at 1:29 PM

Thanks Lisa! Glad to hear it’s helpful! Yes, I think that could all be done in one day. I’d suggest trying to leave Merida early though. The flamingos tend to be more active in the morning and that will give you more time for the day overall. It should be about a 2-hour trip drive from Celestun to Uxmal, so even if you departed Celestun around lunchtime, that should still give you plenty of time to get there. On the drive to Uxmal, go through Muna (not around it) and stop at the mirador (view point) for a few minutes and check out the artwork there. If staying around Uxmal, we highly recommend the Pickled Onion, a few miles away in Santa Elena. Tell Valerie we say hello! Hope that helps!

March 8, 2016 at 3:13 PM

So helpful! Thank you so much!!

March 11, 2016 at 10:11 AM

Glad this was helpful. I’ve actually been meaning to update this post with some more info on how to get there, etc. Am including this Celestun flamingo tour in our new day trips from Merida guide, so stay tuned for that! Until then, enjoy Celestun and we hope you see lots and lots of flamingos! 🙂

February 5, 2016 at 9:30 AM

Awesome! We’re on our #1yearhoneymoon, 11 months in and we’re in valladolid heading to merida today for carnavale! We thought we’d stop by here for a few days on route to campeche. Do you remember the hotel you stayed in here. Sounds great. And Thankyou for your great blog. I’m so glad I found it at the start of our mexico adventure.

February 5, 2016 at 11:18 AM

Glad you stumbled across our blog! I hope you Celestun – cool little place! I apologize but I don’t recall the hotel. We just showed up and booked it on the spot, so unfortunately I don’t have record. I do recall that it was right on the beach and near the main road into town. Rooms with an ocean view were fairly basic but nice enough and incredibly cheap price, as in around $20 US a night. I went and Googled some hotels in the area and I think it may have been “Sol y Mar” that we stayed at but I’m not 100% sure.

January 6, 2015 at 11:38 PM

Thank you. My granddaughter and I want to see the flamingos and it’s January (though early January). You’ve persuaded me that it won’t be a waste of time to go.

January 7, 2015 at 4:56 PM

If its anything like our trip was last January, you certainly won’t be disappointed! Hope you and your granddaughter see lots and lots of those beautiful pink birds! Happy travels!

January 27, 2014 at 4:05 PM

Truly amazing. Love watching the flamingos in flight. Heather and John, this is a dream come true.

[…] for dozens of fantastic day trips just outside the city. Visit the three cenotes of Cuzuma, go see wild flamingos in Celestun or on the Rio Lagartos, tour an old hacienda outside of town, visit the Chitzen Itza ruins, tour […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Don't subscribe All new comments Replies to my comments Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

Tours diarios en Grupo y Privado

Salidas desde Mérida Yucatán

• Para Toda la Familia

TOUR CELESTÚN PLUS

Descripción

Preguntas frecuentes.

⭕HORARIO DE SALIDA 08:00 a.m. Pasamos por ti al punto de encuentro seleccionado (contamos con 3 puntos de encuentro en Mérida). La Oficina es el primer punto de encuentro, se dan 10 min de espera en cada punto y en el orden en el que llegan es como abordan a las camionetas. Se hace una parada en una tienda antes de salir de Mérida para comprar agua o snacks para el camino. Las recomendaciones y puntos de encuentro para este tour están en la sección de "Preguntas Frecuentes" en esta misma página.

⭕TRAYECTO MÉRIDA A CELESTÚN 08:45- 10:15a.m. Tiempo de trayecto desde Mérida al embarcadero de la reserva de la biósfera de Celestún (Primera parada). El guía te proporciona información a bordo acerca de las actividades que se van a realizar en este tour.

⭕RECORRIDO EN LANCHA 10:15- 12:00 p.m. Se aborda a la lancha la cual tiene una capacidad para máximo 8 personas, en esta lancha se hace el recorrido de 1 hora y media para visitar el área de descanso de las aves, el avistamiento de flamingos, se atraviesa el túnel de manglares y se nada en un ojo de agua dulce. Aquí en el embarcadero se cuenta con baños. También se destinan 15 minutos para convivir con los mapaches que habitan la reserva a los cuales puedes alimentar con galletas o fruta.

⭕TRAYECTO EMBARCADERO AL RESTAURANTE TÍA CANDI 12:00- 12:15 p.m. Tiempo de trayecto desde el embarcadero hasta el restaurante Tía Candi que se encuentra frente a la playa de Celestún (Segunda parada).

⭕PLAYA CELESTÚN 12:15 - 03:15 p.m. Estancia de 3 horas en la Playa para comer en el restaurante, nadar y recorrer los alrededores. Aquí se cuenta con camastros, un columpio, baños y regaderas. El menú de la comida lo podrás encontrar en la sección de "Preguntas frecuentes" en esta misma página. También se destinan 15 minutos al centro donde se encuentran las letras de Celestún para tomar fotos.

⭕TRAYECTO CELESTÚN A MÉRIDA 03:15- 04:45 p.m. Tiempo de trayecto desde Celestún a Mérida (Fin del tour). En la ruta al salir de Celestún, se realiza una parada adicional en un puesto local donde venden productos naturales hechos de coco como aguas, paletas, cremas y otros dulces típicos.

⭕LLEGADA A MÉRIDA 04:45- 05:15 p.m. Se te pasa a dejar al mismo punto de encuentro donde pasamos por ti en la mañana. Si te gustó el tour, te invitamos a compartir tu experiencia al viajar con nosotros en nuestras redes sociales. #viajescolibriyucatan

¿QUÉ INCLUYE EL TOUR?

• Transporte cómodo con aire acondicionado
• Guía certificado durante todo el tour
• Recorrido en Lancha
• Comida (Filete de pescado o pollo al gusto)
• Binoculares para el avistamiento de aves
• Nevera con hielo en la camioneta
• Bebidas en la comida

Llegamos a la reserva de la biósfera de Celestún, aquí hay cambiadores y baños que puedes usar, se trata de un parque ecoturístico del estado de Yucatán en donde abordamos a una lancha para realizar un recorrido en los manglares con duración de una hora y media, que incluye visitar: 1. Primero el área de descanso de una gran diversidad de aves locales y migratorias. 2. La unión del mar con la ría. 3. La zona de avistamiento de flamingos en la isla Pájaros. 4. Atravesamos un túnel de manglares. 5. Nadamos en un ojo de agua dulce. Al desembarcar podrás pasar al área de los mapaches que se encuentran en el embarcadero, puedes alimentarlos con galletas o plátanos.

Posteriormente nos dirigimos a gozar de la playa, llegamos al restaurante La Ramada de la tía Candi que se encuentra frente a la playa donde podrás encontrar camastros, baños y regaderas, aquí la comida está incluida, contarás con tiempo libre para nadar y recorrer los alrededores antes de emprender el regreso a Mérida.

El menú de la comida, recomendaciones para el tour y puntos de encuentro los podrás encontrar en la sección de preguntas frecuentes en esta misma página.

Lugares a visitar

• Embarcadero de Celestún, reserva de manglares
• Área de descanso de las aves
• Avistamiento de flamingos
• Túnel de manglar
• Ojo de agua dulce, para nadar
• Playa de Celestún

PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES

Pescado o Pollo al gusto:

– A la mantequilla – A la plancha – Al mojo de ajo – Empanizado

Nota: Si eres vegetariano se puede adecuar un platillo.

Vestir ropa fresca para la playa, sandalias o zapatos para agua. Llevar Traje de baño y toalla aparte si desean bañar en la playa o el ojo de agua. Usar bloqueador solar y repelente para mosquitos. Desayunar bien antes de salir al tour o llevar algo para desayunar en el camino. En la salida se hace una parada a una tienda de autoservicio para comprar lo que haga falta, se puede llevar snacks para el camino.

08:00 a.m. – Oficina Viajes Colibrí Calle 58 entre 55 y 57

08:10 a.m. – Parque Santa Ana Calle 60 entre 45 y 47

08:20 a.m. – Hotel Fiesta Americana Av. Cupules

MAPA DE LA RUTA

Write a Review Cancelar la respuesta

Thank you. Your review will appear after admin approves it.

Please fill all the fields.

Tu dirección de correo electrónico no será publicada. Los campos obligatorios están marcados con *

Review Title*

Date Of Experience

Photo Gallery Invalid File Type. Supported File Type: JPEG/JPG, PNG. Drop your Image or click to browse Supported file : JPG, PNG, GIF

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Información

• Idioma Español, inglés
• Ciudad de Salida Mérida Yucatán
• Transportación Camionetas o autobuses cómodos y limpios con aire acondicionado
• Comidas comida (filete de pescado o pollo al gusto)
• Punto de encuentro Oficina (Calle 58 entre 55 y 57), Parque Santa Ana (Calle 60 esquina con 47) y Hotel Fiesta Americana (Avenida Cupules)
• Guía Certificado
• Método de pago Se aceptan todas las tarjetas
• Tamaño del grupo 1 - 45

Despreocúpate de los detalles ya que nuestros colaboradores se encargarán de toda la logística de tu recorrido y nuestros conductores te proporcionarán seguridad para llegar a tu destino.

• Quintana Roo

Actividades

• Avistamiento de aves
• Caminatas culturales
• Kayak o chalana

Tours relacionados que podrían interesarte

Tour uxmal plus, tour mucuyché clásico, tour 4 cenotes plus.

Tour a Celestun con Transporte Desde Mérida Yucatán

¿Sabes que significa Celestun?

Significa en lengua maya “Espanto de piedra”

Celestún es un poblado considerado Reserva de la Biósfera que está ubicado a 95 km de la ciudad de Mérida en la costa poniente del estado de Yucatán, un increíble lugar que se caracteriza por su espectacular población de flamencos rosados y sus más de 300 especies de aves, reptiles y mamíferos.

Toma este paseo en lancha a través de los manglares y te quedarás impresionado con la belleza de este poblado y su naturaleza.

Declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU) en 1986 y cuya importancia reside en ser uno de los pocos sitios de anidación y reproducción del flamenco rosado en el mundo, fue declarado recientemente también, Refugio de Fauna Silvestre, debido a su riqueza y diversidad de especies.

El paseo incluye visitar la Isla Pájaros, atravesar los manglares en lancha y hasta nadar en un ojo de agua. Al desembarcar podrás gozar de la playa y deleitarte con el almuerzo, antes de emprender el regreso a la Ciudad Blanca.

Celestún ofrece al visitante la oportunidad de mitigar el calor en las dulces y frescas aguas que emanan de los ojos de agua, escondidos en los túneles naturales que se forman con las ramas del mangle, y a donde se llega en botes conducidos por los pobladores que ofrecen recorridos amenizados con historias sobre el lugar.

Salida de los hoteles del centro de la ciudad de Mérida Yucatán al rededor de las 9:00 a.m. y nos dirigiremos a este puerto de pescadores, donde podrá admira un estero que sirve de refugio a una gran cantidad de aves «La Isla Pajaros», el principal atractivo del lugar es el flamenco rosa, de dará un paseo atravesando los manglares y hasta nadar en el ojo de agua natural, en donde tendrá oportunidad de nadar. Al desembarcar podrás gozar de la playa y deleitarte con el almuerzo, antes de emprender el regreso a Mérida llegando aproximadamente a las 4:30 p.m.

Nota:  Los mejores meses para ver a los Flamingos Rosa es: NOVIEMBRE, DICIEMBRE, ENERO Y FEBRERO. (Fuera de temporada habrá poco avistamiento pero observará otro tipo de aves migratorias y típicas de la zona de Yucatán).

Salidas:  a partir de 2 personas todos los días.

Precios: • Adulto: $ 1,900.00 pesos mexicanos • Menor de 4-10 años. $ 1,850.00 pesos mexicanos

Horarios: • Salida a las 9:00 am de los hoteles del centro de Mérida • Regreso a las 4:30 pm aproximadamente.

Salidas: • Todos los Días

Incluye: • Transportación con aire acondicionado • Guía español – ingles • Lancha en la reserva de Celestun (compartida) • Tiempo para bañarse en OJO de agua (Brote de agua natural)

No Incluye: • Comida • Bebidas •Propinas

Recomendaciones: •Traje de baño, protector solar, toalla, gorra, calzado ligero como tenis o sandalias y dinero extra para compras. •Los recorridos son de forma terrestre y acuática.

Nota Importante: •La lancha es compartida por lo que el viajero esta en el entendido que tendrá que esperar a que se integren por lo menos dos personas más para iniciar el recorrido de lo contrario el cliente tomará la decisión de pagar el suplemento para salir en privado. ( 1 mil pesos adicionales salida mínimo dos personas), contemplando una espera moderada se compensará el tiempo de regreso a su hotel. (Esta situación se puede presentar sobre todo en las temporadas de baja afluencia turística). Contacte a su asesor de viajes si tiene más dudas al respecto.

• About the Blog
• Destinations
• Outdoor Activities
• Outdoor Pro Tips

Best Kayaking Trip to See the Flamingos of Celestun

Published by karen on march 6, 2023 march 6, 2023.

The flamingos and other native birds of Celestun can be seen on a kayaking trip through the mangroves. A kayak trip is a unique way to see the natural beauty of the Ría Celestun Biosphere Reserve. We toured the mangrove wetlands with an excellent eco-tourism company. The Guardians of the Mangroves of Dzinitun  is an organization dedicated to educating about the mangroves as an essential component of biodiversity.

Table of Contents

Where is Celestun?

Celestun is a quiet beach town located on the Gulf of Mexico on the west side of the Yucatán peninsula. The town is made famous by its tours to see the flamingos of the biosphere reserve in Celestun. However, there is much more for nature lovers than just seeing flamingos in Celestun. On a kayak trip through the mangroves of Celestun, you will observe the native spectacular flora and fauna of the area in addition to flamingo sightings.

Celestun is about 1.5 hours’ drive from Merida, the capital city of the Yucatan state. You can arrange a day tour to see the flamingos on the lagoon by using a power boat to motor near them. I have taken this tour before and it’s great if you want to see flocks of flamingos at a distance. However, if you want a total experience of the wildlife of the reserve, I recommend the kayak tour.

Related Post -> Outdoor Adventures on the Yucatan Peninsula

Posts may contain links to products and services I love. I may make a small commission from them, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog .

Logistics of Kayaking to See Flamingos in Celestun

If you drive to Celestun and stay overnight you are able to catch the early morning tour to see the birds and wildlife. Everything is much more active at dawn, so an early start is essential.

I use and recommend Discover Cars for renting a car in Mexico. They work with reputable local car rental agencies to get you the best price. Remember that most US car insurance doesn’t cover Mexico. Also, Mexico requires supplemental liability insurance that you buy through the car rental company. So when you first see the too-good-to-be-true listed price of the rental, know that you will actually need to buy additional insurance.

 Accommodations in Celestun

I’ve stayed at two different hotels on the beach at Celestun. They are simple, authentic Mexican hotels with beachfront amenities. The beach at Celestun is a gorgeous Gulf of Mexico crescent of golden sand. I’ve seen dolphins cavorting off the beach and pelicans diving for food. It’s worth a stay overnight in Celestun to enjoy the seafood restaurants on the beach and the amazing sunsets. Plus, you are only a few minutes from the meeting place for the kayak tour when it starts early in the morning.

Hotel Gutierez has comfortable, air-conditioned rooms with the beach out the front door. There is a terrace to relax and watch the sunsets. The hotel restaurant is fabulous for a big authentic Mexican breakfast after your tour.

Hotel San Julio also has beachfront accommodations. The rooms are clean and have refrigerators. There are beach loungers and shady palapas to enjoy the beach. They offer a secure parking area.

You can’t miss by staying in either of these hotels on the gorgeous beach of Celestun.

Kayaking Tour through the Mangroves of Celestun to Find Flamingos and Other Wildlife

The Guardians of the Mangroves of Dzinitun are passionate about the nature of the Celestone ecosystem. They understand the importance of the mangroves to a healthy ecosystem. Their tours through the mangroves are highly educational. Tours start in the dark, so kayakers can see the most wildlife as the sun rises.

The guides of this organization are committed to eco-tourism by educating how critical mangroves are to sustaining the natural balance of the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve. The mangroves also protect inhabited areas from the detrimental effects of hurricanes by absorbing the storm surges. Additionally, the dense roots of mangrove plants prevent erosion and sequester carbon to protect against climate change. Finally, mangrove forests serve as a nursery for wildlife as we were able to witness on our kayaking tour.

Jose, the owner of the company, has been involved with mangrove reforestation in the area for many years. He hosts groups of children, teens, and adults who come to help with mangrove planting in the area of the tour. Jose believes that educating all ages about the mangroves will help with conservation and protection.

Kayaking tour specifics

The tour began at the Guardians of the Mangroves basecamp which was a 5-minute drive from our hotel in Celestun. Tours start at 5:30 or 6 am. We met our guide, Isaac, and were briefed on the specifics of the trip. Isaac is a college student with a thorough knowledge of the environment. His excitement about nature was evident every time he exclaimed “hey, look at that”. He loves birds and has a keen eye and ear for finding them. His stories of the wildlife we saw helped us really get to know each animal or bird. 

Our guide Isaac gave us headlamps we used to find our way along the rickety boardwalks out to the boat launch. On the way to the kayaks, he explained about the mangroves’ importance and the different species.

At the end of the boardwalk, we boarded the kayaks. It was just getting light as we started out in the kayaks. The sound of birds and the golden rays through the mangroves was a magical time. We saw a variety of birds, such as different kinds of herons, egrets, kingfishers, vultures, magnificent frigatebirds, and pelicans. My favorite was the Pygmy Kingfisher festooned in orange and green and not much bigger than a hummingbird.

Just as the sun rose, we reached an area called the heart of the mangroves. The heart-shaped opening in the mangrove forest was alive with birds. As we glided on the coppery-colored water, a cacophony of bird songs surrounded us.

Crocs and other wildlife of the kayak tour

After birdwatching for a bit in the heart of the mangroves, we entered the channels again to look for more wildlife. We saw a small crocodile and several baby crocodiles. The kayaks were quite close to the crocs in the narrow channel, however, Isaac assured us that we were safe. The crocodile was too little to have us for breakfast.

Kayaking to See the Flamingos of Celestun

As we emerged from the mangrove channels to the Celestun estuary, we began seeing flocks of birds flying overhead. Huge flocks of flamingos flew over looking like flying pink sticks. We learned from Isaac that baby flamingos are white when they are born. They gain their pink color from eating tiny crustaceans rich with carotenoids (the same thing that gives carrots or tomatoes their color). You can actually tell the age of a flamingo by how pink it is.

After a short paddle up the wide river with great views of a tiger heron and egrets, we landed the boats on the shore. However, it was low tide so it was an enormous mud flat. Isaac and another guide ended up covered in mud as they pulled us to shore. Afterward, we hiked along the trail and boardwalks to an open lagoon packed with birds.

We were able to see groups of flamingos feeding. With our new knowledge about how the shade of pink tells the flamingos’ age, we could guess how old the flamingos were. We didn’t see the hundreds of flamingos you see with the motorboat tour, nevertheless, we totally enjoyed the complete wildlife experience of this tour. We saw plenty of flamingos in their natural habitat.

The tour finishes with a tuk-tuk (motorcycle taxi) ride back to the base camp. Make sure you walk around the area when you return because you can see more flamingos in the ponds near the starting point. It was fascinating to see flamingos shuffle their feet as they feed to stir up their food.

Kayaks and costs of the tour

The kayaks are fiberglass doubles. The simple design and comfortable seats make them perfect for navigating the channels through the mangroves. They also offer canoes paddled by the guide if you’d like to sit back and enjoy the scenery. We paid 2400 MXD ($120) for four people in kayaks and for 600 MXD ($30) for an English-speaking guide. We opted for the special kayak trip, which was 2.5 hours. They also offer a 1.5-hour trip for 1800 MXD ($90) in kayaks and 1700 MXD ($85) for a canoe for four people.

You can pay the deposit for the tour by PayPal and the rest in cash when you arrive.

Wrap Up of Kayaking to See the Flamingos and Wildlife of Celestun

The Yucatan Peninsula is chocked full of wildlife and birds on both the land and the water. I’ve done some amazing kayaking trips in the natural areas of the Yucatan. I’ve paddled the mangroves and open tidal bays of Sian Ka’an to see birds coming back to roost at night on the islands. Then, I explored the freshwater of Lake Bacalar with its amazing 7 colors and stromatolites by kayak. Unquestionably, kayaking the mangroves near Celestun to see flamingos and other wildlife compares with these magnificent trips.

Related Post -> Best Natural Areas for Kayaking on the Yucatan Peninsula

The tour with the Guardians of the Mangroves of Dzinintun is a highlight of any trip to the west coast of the Yucatan. Likewise, you will finish the trip knowing that, in some small way, you have contributed to the protection of the mangroves in their role in preventing climate change. To arrange the kayak trip in Celestun, you can email Jose at  [email protected] .

Related post-> 25 Best Kayaking Day Trips in the US

Pin it for later!

I was a guest of the Guardians of the Mangroves of Dzinintun on this trip. My opinions are my honest assessment of the experience.

Get the Newsletter

Signup for outdoor tips, information on outdoor destinations, news, and more!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

18 Comments

Josy A · March 7, 2023 at 1:14 pm

I love it when guides are so enthusiastic about the nature and birds around you. You get to learn soooo much more about the ecosystem when they are excited about things like that! Guardians of the Mangroves of Dzinitun sounds like such a great company to go kayaking with!

This looks less scary that kayaking at sea, with the mangroves there to calm the waters!

Karen · March 12, 2023 at 11:54 am

The kayaking was a bit more mellow than open-water sea kayaking. Yeah for mangroves.

Susan · March 8, 2023 at 10:26 pm

What a cool experience! I love that they teach you about the ecology and environment as well. Also, glad the crocs were small enough that they couldn’t nibble at you!

Karen · March 12, 2023 at 12:00 pm

Crocodiles are scary even when they are little when you are close to them. Our friends didn’t see it at first and kayaked right next to it. It was pretty exciting.

Sue Tippett · March 10, 2023 at 7:30 am

Beautiful post which captures this wonderful adventure. I loved the Mayan greeting our guide taught us. Instead of saying hello or how are you their greeting translates to “I am you” and the response is “ And you are me”

Karen · March 12, 2023 at 11:59 am

Yes, that greeting is a whole paradigm shift on how to acknowledge a person.

Annelies Truyers · March 11, 2023 at 4:31 am

Amazing! How can we arrange this kayak/canoe tour? Do you have an email of the company? (I have no Facebook account.) Thank you, Annelies

Karen · March 12, 2023 at 11:55 am

To arrange the kayak trip in Celestun, you can email Jose at [email protected]

Marilyn · March 11, 2023 at 10:43 am

I would love to experience seeing Flamingos having kayaked through natural mangrove habitat, together with other animals and bird life in the area. Excellent to read there’s also the opportunity to plant mangrove, clearly a wonderful choice of tour and guide. Thank you…a really great blog post.

Karen · March 12, 2023 at 11:58 am

I was impressed by this company’s commitment to planting mangroves and reforestation.

Terri · March 11, 2023 at 11:08 am

I just loved seeing the flamingos when I visited Isla Holbox. I could have watched them all day. Great post!

Karen · March 12, 2023 at 11:56 am

I’m the same way. I can watch flamingos forever and still be surprised by their behaviors and colors.

Angela · March 12, 2023 at 7:44 am

I have to say I am a bit of a disaster at kayaking at sea, so maybe the tranquillity and stillness of the mangrove habitat might prove better for me! As a nature lover, I would adore seeing the flamingo crocs and birdlife. I think the choice of tour leader makes or breaks a trip, and it sounds like you had a good one.

It’s so true about a trip leader. I love when I have a tour leader who is passionate about their work.

Denise · March 16, 2023 at 1:21 pm

I’d never thought about kayaking to see the flamingos of Celestun, but now it’s on my list!

kmf · April 27, 2023 at 3:15 am

I’ve been to Mexico 27x but have never been here. I would love to go kayaking in Celestun and check out the beautiful flamingos.

Karen · May 4, 2023 at 10:57 am

Sounds like a good plan for your next time in Mexico.

Outdoor Adventures on the Yucatan Peninsula - Outdoor Adventure Sampler · January 11, 2024 at 11:49 am

[…] Related post -> Best Kayaking Trip to See the Flamingos of Celestun  […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Related Posts

25 Best Kayaking Day Trips in the US

The 25 best kayaking day trips in the US include paddling on the ocean, rivers, lakes, mangrove swamps, and even kayaking in a cave.

Incredible Outdoor Adventures of Kefalonia

The island of Kefalonia has stunning outdoor adventures such as hiking, caving, sea kayaking, snorkeling, and boat trips as well as spectacular beaches.

Off the Beaten Track Adventures in Cinque Terre

Off the beaten track outdoor adventures in Cinque Terre. Get tips for hiking, sea kayaking in sea caves, and other outdoor adventures.