Mexico

Alamos

• November 2017
  • Trip Report
  • Species List
• December 2023
  • Trip Report

Butterflies & Birds

• February 2020
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• February 2022
  • Trip Report
• February 2023
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• February 2024
  • Species List
  • Trip Report

Oaxaca

• October 2021
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• August 2022
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• October 2022
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• August 2023
  • Trip Report
• January 2024
  • Species List
• July 2024
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• October 2024
  • Species List
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• December 2024
  • Species List
• February 2025
  • Species List

Sea of Cortés

• March 2017
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• February 2019
  • Trip Report
  • Species List
• March 2022
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• March 2023
  • Trip Report

Veracruz

• September 2019
  • Trip Report
  • Species List
• September 2021
  • Trip Report
  • Species List
• October 2022
  • Trip Report
  • Species List

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

• At the time of writing, U.S. citizens must have a passport that is in good condition and at minimum is valid at the time of entry through your scheduled return to the U.S. We suggest at least 3 months validity beyond the end of the tour to allow for unexpected delays in return travel.
• U.S. citizens carrying a tourist passport do not need a visa to enter Mexico. We advise having at least one blank passport page per entry stamp.
• Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to Mexico and consult with your doctor about general travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section below.
• Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
• Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Passports, Visas & Documents

Guidelines and regulations can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s documentation requirements 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Information for U.S. citizens can be found at travel.state.gov for Mexico. If you are from another country, please contact the Embassy of Mexico website for guidelines.

Passport: At the time of writing, U.S. citizens must have a passport that is in good condition and at minimum is valid at the time of entry through your scheduled return to the U.S. However, we suggest at least 3 months validity beyond the end of the tour to allow for unexpected delays in return travel. Please check that expiration date! Your passport should have at least one blank page per entry stamp. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. 

Visa: At the time of writing, a tourist visa is not required for stays of this tour's duration. You will need proof of a return ticket. The necessary documents will be distributed by your airline while in flight or provided for you upon arrival. We advise that you bring your eContact list of hotels for use at immigration as well.

As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include, but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.

General Health & Inoculations

Health requirements for entry to any country can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s health requirements and recommendations 60-90 days ahead of traveling. A helpful website for planning is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for Mexico or by phone (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636.

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of a medical emergency.

Vaccinations: Please bring your up-to-date vaccination records with you. The CDC (see link above) recommends that all travelers at a minimum be up to date with routine vaccinations and then, basic travel vaccines (such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid, etc.) before traveling to many foreign destinations.  The CDC will also have updated information regarding recent disease outbreaks, such as Malaria or other mosquito or tick-borne diseases, as well as extra precautions to take depending on the area(s) you will be traveling through. Consult with your doctor for recommendations at least 4- 6 weeks before departing on your trip as some vaccines may require more than one dose and time to become effective. 

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. You’ll want to keep medications in their original, labeled containers. 

Allergies: To be prepared for environmental triggers to allergies or breathing difficulties, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication(s).  If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for prevention or treatment of common ailments (such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, cough, congestion, head or body aches, insect bites and sunburn); as well as ointments, moisturizer, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, band-aids, moleskin for blisters, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and tweezers, etc.

Weather & Climate

The Puerto Vallarta area is tropical and generally muggy year round. The weather here in early spring (Mar-Apr) is generally warm, dry and sunny. The temperatures will range from around 66°F-74°F. Visit https://www.climatestotravel.com for an overview.

You may want to check your favorite weather information website for forecasts and predictions closer to your date of travel. 

Annoyances & Hazards

Always listen carefully to any advice given by your local guide regarding pests and other biting insects or reptiles you may encounter.

Mosquito and tick born illness: Although anti-malarial drugs are not required for any area that you visit on this tour, travelers should reduce their risk of mosquito and/or tick born diseases (including yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever, zika, Japanese encephalitis, etc.) by protecting themselves from bites using protective clothing, insect repellant (containing DEET, Picaridin, OLE, etc.) and prophylactics where applicable. For repellent permeated clothing, see Packing List for our recommendations. See the “CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel” website for more information: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/yellowbook-home.

Chiggers are a part of lowland and mid-elevation habitats. You may encounter them at grassland or farm locations. Your guide should have a good read on chiggers if it has been wet enough that they are active. Spray your shoes with repellent, and tuck your pants into your socks .  When back, be sure to shower and air out your clothing.

Remember the sun is strong, so be prepared with proper protection.

Food & Drinks

Menus at the lodges are varied, delicious and are sustainably based on the wonderful local ingredients available. Meals reflect the contributions of American, European, Spanish, and local cuisines.  As with any case when traveling in another country, trust your common sense when consuming food and beverages. We urge you to consider what your body is used to before you eat something. This is the best way to avoid any unwanted problems. Ask for recommendations from your hotel or consult a guidebook such as Frommers if you are eating out on your own.

Generally, sanitation and cleanliness have improved significantly in Mexico. That said, we urge you to use purified bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. If unsure, your guide will be able to tell you when purified water is preferred. Purified water will be available everywhere you go, as well as purified ice. There will be a cooler full of drinks that your guide will keep stocked during the trip. Bring a refillable water bottle that you can refill from larger bottles of purified water as needed; this helps enormously to cut down on the use of plastics. A number of restaurants and hotels will use purified water, but you may want to ask first to be sure.

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Please, pack light. We are serious about this – we move around a lot; you just do not need much to cope with tropical life! Please do not bring anything more than you must. Lay out your hopeful things to take and then do a serious paring down. 

TRAVEL TIP: Imagine NOT getting your suitcase. Wear your most important shoes for the field and have one day’s clothing change (including a change of underwear!). And please DO NOT pack any essential medications, or your vital optics, in your checked luggage!

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable. Lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing as they are more protective from sun and vegetation. But if you like to wear them, by all means bring some shorts. Also, choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are comfortable and easy.

Laundry services can be arranged at some of our hotels, those where you have multiple nights. But it is most convenient if you are content with hand laundering.

Spending Money

The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso. We advise you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as cash, an ATM card, and a credit card. For the current exchange rate, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com, or your bank. U.S. dollars in good condition (no rips or tears) are taken as a form of payment but shopping for smaller handicrafts may necessitate using local currency.

When using the ATM to withdrawal cash, keep in mind it might only accept cards from local banks or not allow cash advances on credit cards. Many U.S. banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure. You must become familiar with how to use your ATM card and PIN number ahead of the journey. If you plan to exchange cash in country, bring large U.S. bill ($50 or $100) in good condition - that will give you the better rate when exchanging to local currency.

We suggest you have more than one card available, if possible. You may want to bring more than one brand of card (VISA and Mastercard are commonly accepted; American Express is less common). You can use credit cards at lodges to pay your bar and gift tabs. Not every shop will accept every card. Some smaller shops, restaurants, and/or taxis require cash, so it is always a good idea to ask before making a purchase. Also, we recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company that you will be traveling abroad to avoid questions, card freezes, or charges. If you have a choice of cards, bring one with no foreign exchange fees.

Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted. They can be difficult to exchange. We do not advise you use them.

Gratuities

Tipping is optional and completely at your discretion. If you would like to show our appreciation to your guides, lodge and hotel staff or anyone associated with this tour, it is entirely appropriate. Know that they appreciate anything you care to give and of course you can do more if you wish! Lodges normally have a box for tips that the staff share, and hotels you would just tip the maids as you do at home. We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services.

Here is a standard suggestion for tipping on birding trips:

• Birding tour guide: US $10.00 - $15.00 per day per guest. Note: If there is more than one guide, this can be split among them, so that is a total, per person, per day
• Tour driver if different from guide: US $5.00 - $7.00 per person/day
• Lodge staff: US $6.00 - $10.00 per day per guest
• Transfer (airport shuttle) driver: US $2.00 - $3.00 per person
• Hotel & international airport bellmen: US $1.00 per suitcase

You may wish to bring small gifts for local people that you meet and enjoy (this is totally optional!). T-shirts, school supplies like pens and small notebooks, inexpensive watches and baseball caps are always popular.  Your guides can pass along school supplies to a local school if you bring them.  They also love any nature books/coloring books.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Your guide is well connected and can help if any urgent communication need arises. However, it is highly recommended that you travel with a cell phone, if only as a precaution for the unfortunate occurrence of a medical emergency during an outing and needing swift accessibility to critical personal or medical contacts. 

Please check with your wireless provider to see if your phone and service will work in your destination country. Options include activating international roaming, purchasing a local SIM card at the airport (newer phones may not accept SIM cards), or simply turning off cellular service and relying on Wi-Fi to make calls and access the internet. If your phone can connect to Wi-Fi, you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Another option if you have access to Wi-Fi is to use smartphone apps like Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber to send text messages, and make voice calls, or video calls. Many smartphones, tablets, or laptops come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download for free.

Your hotels and most local restaurants provide Wi-Fi at least in their common areas. Although it is generally a reliable service, it can be affected by adverse weather conditions due to the remote location.

Make sure if you do NOT want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data. You could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi. Putting your phone in airplane mode if you mainly use it for photos will save the battery as well. 

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers, unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests, plan on cell phone call use on your own time.

Electricity

Mexico voltage is 127V, slightly higher than in the United States (120V), with a frequency of 60 Hz. Electrical sockets (outlets) are primarily "Type A" and "Type B".

You may need to bring a power plug adapter, and a voltage converter to use appliances or devices from the U.S. that do not automatically detect and convert voltages. Mexico's wall outlets aren't always polarized so you may need an adapter if you have a polarized plug. To be sure, check the label on your appliance. More information is available at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/us/mexico/.

Time

Your Mexican adventure will be in the Central Daylight Time zone (CDT). A great website if you want to tell someone to check the time in Puerto Vallarta ahead of calling you is https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/mexico/puerto-vallarta.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys or telephone at our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

 

Please pack light!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage. Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. It is our hope that you can pack in one checked suitcase that does not exceed 45 pounds. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

TRAVEL TIP:  Imagine NOT getting your checked suitcase upon arrival. Travel wearing your most important shoes for the field and have one day’s clothing change (including a change of underwear!). And please, DO NOT pack any essential medications, vital optics (binoculars, camera, eye-glasses), or essential travel documents in your checked luggage! Pack these and other essential items in your carry-on bag and on your person (i.e. under-garment pouch). You will want a day pack for field trips, so this makes an ideal carry-on. 

Pack clothing that is appropriate for the anticipated temperatures and conditions.  Outerwear should be wind and waterproof. See the "Weather & Climate" section under "Essential Information" for general seasonal climate info for the date of this tour. In addition, you may check your preferred weather app closer to departure to get a better idea of the weather to expect.

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable. Lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing as they are more protective from sun, vegetation, and pests. But by all means bring some shorts if you prefer to wear them. Also, choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are loose-fitting, comfortable and easy to layer, launder and dry out. A Lightweight and waterproof outer layer is essential as well as comfortable hiking footwear.

Further protection from insects: It is possible to purchase Permethrin spray (online or from REI) to treat your field clothing and socks before your departure. Another approach is to purchase field clothing permeated with insect repellent such as the Craghoppers Insect Shield collection.

Note on clothing colors: We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors, though camouflage clothing is not recommended.

Clothing & Gear

• Lightweight or convertible hiking pants, 1-2 pair
• Lightweight long-sleeved shirts, 2-3
• Shorts (optional, not generally recommended)
• T-shirts, sleeveless and short-sleeved or equivalent, 2-3
• Comfortable clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field clothes)
• Personal underclothing (consider what dries quickly if you plan to do laundry)
• Socks – lightweight, easy to wash and dry
• Comfortable walking shoes (such as tennis shoes)
• Lightweight hiking boots - bring shoes with good support and firm grip tread
• Sandals for evenings, travel days (optional)
• Lightweight jacket: fleece fabric is ideal, or a pullover/sweater
• Lightweight hooded raincoat (can double as a windbreaker)
• Hat with broad brim
• Bandana (optional, great for cooling off when hot and sweaty)
• Bathing suit (optional)
• Field vest (optional), a great source is Big Pockets

Equipment & Miscellaneous

• E-ticket confirmation
• Passport, visa (if required), travel insurance info, money & credit cards.
• A secure pouch to carry the items above on your person (such as a secure, under-clothing document pouch)
• As a backup: copies of all the above (phone and/or paper) packed in a separate location than on your person, plus a set given to your emergency contact at home as a backup. For passport, copy of the  ID and entry stamp pages.
• Small daypack to carry gear while hiking
• Cell phone and charger
• Camera and extra batteries and charger, memory cards/film, lens cleaning supplies, instruction manual (optional).
• Tablet or laptop for personal use and/or transferring photos, USB cord and charger (optional)
• Binoculars (a hotel shower cap is great to cover these when it is raining)
• Spotting scope and tripod (optional – guide will have them)
• Rechargeable power bank (optional)
• 3 to 2 prong outlet adaptor if needed
• Umbrella - compact, not brightly colored! (optional)
• Walking sticks (optional, but recommended if you usually use them when hiking)
• Flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries. 
• Alarm clock, or use your cell phone
• Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
• Sunglasses with neck strap
• Insect repellent (containing at least 20% DEET)
• Toiletry articles
• Laundry soap (consider laundry soap "sheets" that pack flat, and are lightweight and environmentally friendly.
• Earplugs (if hotel noise or roommates snoring may bother you; these are optional)
• Water bottle (can easily be bought in the airport and refilled daily)
• Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
• Field guides (optional)
• Spanish phrase dictionary (optional)

 

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing - your mind will be at ease!

Medical & First Aid Items

• Personal medication (and copy of vital prescriptions, including glasses)
• Personal first aid kit including medications for general and stomach ailments (Imodium or Lomotil, antihistamine cream or tablets, eye drops, etc.)
• Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on van, etc.
• Heath insurance and vaccination information (kept in personal pouch with other travel documents)
• Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts
• Band-Aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
• Hand Sanitizer

 

These books choices are, of course, optional, but recommended to help you get the most out of your trip. Also, feel free to get online and check other book listings for the area. If you find a particularly good site or book, please share it!

Top Picks

 A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America - by Steve N.G. Howell and Sophie Webb - One of the best field guides for Mexico; large and heavy but an essential resource.

 Merlin App – Mexico: Oaxaca and Chiapas Pack. A phone-based birding app from Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Before departing the U.S., download the app for free, then from within the app, download the “pack” for Mexico: Oaxaca and Chiapas.

 Mexico - Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture - by Russell Maddicks, Culture Smart!

Field Guides

Birds of Mexico and Central America - by Ber van Perlo - A very useful field guides with all species occurring in Mexico, but in a light and compact format.

The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2nd Edition - by David Allen Sibley - Always a useful reference, as many species to be seen are migrants from North America; particularly helpful for confusing fall warblers!

Site Guide to the Birds of Veracruz - by Robert Straub - A very useful guide to almost all sites to be visited on this tour: where they are, what they are like, and what birds are to be found.  Might be unavailable.

A Bird-Finding Guide to Mexico - by Steve N.G. Howell - Excellent, though a bit dated, bird-finding guide to Mexico, including some of the sites to be visited on this tour.

Raptors of Mexico and Central America - by William S. Clark and N. John Schmitt - Includes all 69 species of raptors found in Mexico and Central America.

Hawks at a Distance: Identification of Migrant Raptors - by Jerry Liguori - Identifies 29 species of raptors in several lighting and setting situations.

Birdlife of the Gulf of Mexico - by Joanna Burger - Illustrated with over 900 photos, charts, and maps.

A Swift Guide to Butterflies of Mexico and Central America - by Jeffrey Glassberg - Complete guide to Mexican butterflies.

Flowering Plants of the Neotropics - by Nathan Smith - Covers 250 families found between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, 300 color illustrations, 250 botanical line drawings and very detailed text.

Birds of Mexico: MP3 Sound Collection (CD) - by Peter Boesman - 6 hours playing time

General Reading: Nature

Naturalist’s Mexico - by Roland H. Wauer - Overview of Mexico’s avifauna and the rest of its natural environment.

Wildlife Ecology and Management in Mexico - by Raul Valdez and Dr. Jose Alfonso Ortega-Santos - Offers information on ecological relationships and habitat requirements for the most important game of birds and mammals of Mexico.

General Reading: Culture & History

Mexico - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture, Second Edition - by Russell Maddicks - A concise, no-nonsense guide to local customs, etiquette and culture with a short overview of the land and people along with practical travel advice.

A Concise History of Mexico - by Brian R. Hamnett - A summary of Mexican history exploring politics, economics, and culture.

Veracruz, Veracruz Mexico: Including its History, Plaza da las Armas, The Municipal Palace, The Carranza Lighthouse, and More - by Sandra Wilkins - Read all about Veracruz Mexico with content from a large community of contributors.

Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs - by Buddy Levy - Hernan Cortes’ arrival to the shores of Mexico and his determination to expand the Spanish empire.

Distant Neighbors: A Portrait of the Mexicans - by Alan Riding

The Oxford History of Mexico - by William Beezley and Michael Meyer

Defending the Land of the Jaguar: A History of Conservation in Mexico - by Lane Simonian

The Mexico Reader: History Culture, Politics (The Latin American Readers) - by Gilbert M. Joseph and Timothy J. Henderson

The Conquest of New Spain - by Bernal Diaz del Castillo - Hernan Cortes’ overthrowing of Montezuma’s Aztec Empire.

Museum of Anthropology of Xalapa - by Universidad Veracruzana

A Guided Tour: Xalapa Museum of Anthropology - by  Ruben Morante Lopez

Travel Like a Local - Map of Veracruz: The Most Essential Veracruz (Mexico) Travel Map for Every Adventure - by Maxwell Fox - Organized in sections for you to better find your way around.

Easy Spanish Phase Book: Over 700 Phrases for Everyday Use - by Dr. Pablo García Loaeza - Quick reference for English to Spanish phrases.

Suggested sources include your local library, local bookstores, www.amazon.com (linked above for your convenience), or www.buteobooks.com. There is a good selection of books available for sale at visitors’ centers, and your guide will also have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share.

 

General

Mexico

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico

Jalisco, Mexico

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalisco

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Vallarta

About Rancho Primavera (also click on the 'birding' tab for a checklist!)

• https://ranchoprimavera.wordpress.com/rancho-primavera/

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

Vallarta Botanical Gardens

• https://www.vbgardens.org/

Birding Yalapa - ebird.org

• https://ebird.org/hotspot/L372467

Avibase Bird Checklist

• https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=MXve

Mexican butterflies

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_butterflies_of_Mexico

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

Los Arcos National Marine Park

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Arcos_National_Marine_Park

Conservation efforts at Vallarta Botanical Gardens

• https://arbnet.org/vallarta-botanical-garden-grows-its-conservation-capacity
• https://www.vbgardens.org/current-conservation-efforts/

Geology & Geography

Cabo Corrientes

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabo_Corrientes,_Jalisco

Costalegre Beaches

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costalegre

Tectonic Map

• http://www.datapages.com/gis-map-publishing-program/gis-open-files/geographic/tectonic-map-of-mexico-2013

History & Culture

History of Puerto Vallarta

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Vallarta#History
• https://www.vallartadaily.com/get-local/history-of-puerto-vallarta/

Brief History – Mexico

• https://www.history.com/topics/mexico/history-of-mexico

Pre-Columbian Mexico

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Columbian_Mexico

Mexico Culture

• https://www.facts-about-mexico.com/mexican-culture.html

Helpful Travel Websites

National Passport Information Center

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

U.S. Department of State, Mexico International Travel Information - Mexico

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Mexico.html

Homeland Security Real ID Act

• https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• https://www.cbp.gov/travel

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• https://www.tsa.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Mexico

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/mexico

Canada Travel Advise and Advisories - Mexico

• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/mexico

Travel Health Pro (UK) – Mexico

• https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/147/mexico

Foreign Exchange Rates

• https://www.xe.com/

ATM Locator

• https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/find-nearest-atm.html
• https://www.visa.com/atmlocator/

Electricity and Plugs - Mexico

• https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/mexico/

Date, Time, and Holidays – Mexico

• https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/mexico/puerto-vallarta
• https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/mexico/