Table of Content
Welcome to Celestun, Mexico
Have you ever seen a flamingo in flight? Before travelling to Mexico I had seen flamingos only in Vienna’s and San Diego’s Zoo. But the chance to see them in their natural surroundings excited me A LOT! Next to the Mayan ruins, seeing flamingos in the wild was at the top of my wishlist for our trip to Yucatan. There are two main biospheres in Mexico where you can see thousands of flamingos and the two are in the Yucatan Peninsula. The first place is Celestun (1h 45min drive from Merida) on the west Caribbean coast of Yucatan, and the other is at Rio Lagardos on the north coast (1h 30min drive from Valladolid). I have read in some travel blogs that you can also see flamingos on the island of Holbox.
Where to Stay in Merida, Mexico
As you would expect from a major travel destination, Mexico has no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation. As always, I’d suggest you stay somewhere central, to make accessing all the attractions as easy as possible.
Best Luxury Hotels in Merida, Mexco
- Hotel Casa Azul: This boutique hotel offers a luxurious and intimate experience in the heart of Merida’s historic center. With elegant colonial-style architecture, beautiful courtyards, and stylish rooms, Casa Azul exudes charm and sophistication. Guests can enjoy amenities like a rooftop pool, spa services, and a renowned restaurant serving exquisite Mexican cuisine.
- Hacienda Misné: Nestled in a restored 19th-century hacienda, Hacienda Misné combines historical elegance with modern comforts. The spacious rooms feature traditional Mexican decor, and the lush gardens and swimming pool create a serene ambiance. The hotel also offers a spa, fitness center, and a gourmet restaurant serving regional specialties.
- Rosas & Xocolate Boutique Hotel + Spa: This award-winning boutique hotel showcases a unique blend of contemporary design and traditional Mexican elements. The rooms are individually styled, and the hotel boasts a rooftop pool, a luxurious spa, and a renowned chocolate boutique. Its central location allows easy access to Merida’s main attractions.
Best Mid-Range Hotels in Merida, Mexico
- Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel: Located in the heart of Mérida’s historic center, Casa Lecanda is a charming boutique hotel housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion. The rooms are elegantly furnished, blending contemporary style with traditional Mexican elements. The hotel offers a courtyard garden, a swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant serving delectable Yucatecan cuisine. Its central location allows easy access to attractions, restaurants, and shops.
- Hotel Hacienda Mérida: Set in a renovated 19th-century mansion, this boutique hotel exudes character and charm. The rooms feature a mix of colonial and contemporary design, offering comfort and style. The hotel boasts a tranquil courtyard with a swimming pool, a restaurant serving regional cuisine, and a bar. Its location in the historic center allows guests to explore Mérida’s cultural landmarks and vibrant atmosphere.
- Hotel María del Carmen: Situated in the historic center of Mérida, this hotel offers well-appointed rooms at an affordable price. The rooms are cozy and feature traditional Mexican decor. The hotel provides a small outdoor pool, a courtyard garden, a restaurant serving local cuisine, and a bar. It’s conveniently located near popular landmarks, shops, and restaurants.
Best Hostels in Merida, Mexico
- Nomadas Hostel: Known for its friendly atmosphere and social vibe, Nomadas Hostel offers budget-friendly accommodation in a beautiful colonial building. Guests can choose between dormitory rooms and private rooms, and common areas like the pool, garden, and communal kitchen are perfect for meeting fellow travelers. The hostel also organizes various activities and tours.
- Hostal La Ermita: Situated in a charming historic building, Hostal La Ermita offers a cozy and affordable stay. The hostel provides both dormitory and private rooms, and guests can relax in the communal areas or enjoy the rooftop terrace with views of the city. The location is convenient, with several attractions and amenities nearby.
Begin your search for the perfect accommodation now while the excitement is still fresh in your mind. Discover stylish and affordable options, and find the best accommodations at the lowest prices:
Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Booking.com)
Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Tripadvisor)
Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Agoda)
Discover affordable hostels in Mexico here (Hostelworld)
Easily compare prices and book hotels in Mexico here (Hotellook)
Flamingos are probably my favourite bird kind, so seeing thousands of them at once seemed like a brave thing to dream about. The best thing about dreams – you can make them come true!
We decided to visit the flamingos in Celestun. The fisher village is considered as a “back to nature” attraction for travellers. And we were not disappointed! Celestun is heaven to observe the elegant pink creatures and many other birds! The village has more to offer to its visitors than the beautiful flamingos at Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestún – here is a great place to relax on the beach, explore the mangroves and enjoy the great food of Celestun.
When to Visit the Flamingos in Celestun
Flamingos migrate throughout the year. The best time to see them in Celestun is in the winter months from November to March. This is the time for their courtship rituals. Another useful tip is that flamingos are most active during low tide when they come out to feed.
How to Get to Celestun Mexico Boat Tours from Merida
The easiest way to get to Celestun is by car. From Merida, it took us about 90 minutes on Highway 281. The boat tours are well indicated. The place for all cheaper boat tours is called Parador Resort Celestun. Parador Resort is located on the left side of the road, when travelling from Merida, about 1.5 km before you reach Celestun’s beaches. Here is the exact location where you can catch the boats for the Celestun flamingo tour:
Celestun Flamingo Boat Tour Options
There are two options for boat tours of the flamingos in Celestun: Parador Resort Celestun or all tours that you can book on the beach. I recommend booking a tour at Parador Resort Celestun as the distance from here to the lagoon is shorter and the prices of the tours are cheaper. This is the official tour station which is also government-sponsored.
How Much is The Tour?
The cost for a tour from Parador Resort Celestun is 1500 MXN (only cash!) for the whole boat. The boat seats usually 6 to 8 people. If you want to reduce the price you have to share the boat with other travellers.
As we wanted to start the tour as early as possible, I wrote in the German group for travelling to Mexico on Facebook if somebody wants to join us on this tour. Only 5 minutes later we already had 2 girls from Germany who wanted to join us on the next day. We met us at Parador Resort at 9 am and luckily us – a Mexican couple joined us too!
So, we shared the boat and reduced the cost to 250 MXN per person (ca 11.5 €). The guide was not that good in English, but the Mexican couple translated everything he told us about the flamingos and Celestun’s biosphere.
Flamingos in Celestun Mexico
At 9:15 we made it south to the entrance of the lagoon. I noticed that the water began changing colour from a deep blue to a deeper shade of pink in the lagoon. It was really early in the morning and I could already tell that this time is the best time for bird observation! The temperature was about 23° and there were absolutely NO boats in the lagoon. We started seeing all sorts of birds: flamingos, pelicans, woodpeckers, seagulls, cormorants, ospreys, vultures and egrets.
All flamingos I had ever seen before in the zoos of Vienna and San Diego were living in captivity, so they all had clipped wings. Not here in Celestun! This was the first time I saw flying flamingos and the feeling was amazing!
As already mentioned above, visiting Celestun during low tide ensures thousands of flamingos come here to eat algae, crustaceans, brine shrimp, diatoms, and aquatic plants. The brine shrimp in Celestun has a pinkish colour. Therefore, the water and also, the flamingos, have pink colour too! Without the brine shrimp, flamingos would have grey feathers! Actually, flamingos are born with grey feathers – they get the pink colour from eating brine shrimp and blue-green algae.
The Mangroves of Celestun
After observing the flamingos for about 25-30 minutes, our boat continued out of the lagoon and drove into a mangrove forest tunnel. If you are lucky enough you might see a crocodile or two! … We didn’t. We stopped at Ojo de Agua Baldiosera, where we get out for a short walk. We saw some people swimming in the hole – probably these were the bravest people of all! Swimming with a possibility of an accompanying crocodile is not the adventure I’m looking for 😀
The word “mangroves” refers to a special community of plants and animals occurring in tropical and semitropical zones. I have seen Mangroves in Thailand, Bali and Cuba. The Mangroves grow in places where the salt water is mixed with saltwater from the ocean. This ecosystem is very rich in species and they are very important to the ecological balance in the biosphere. However, mangroves are also very fragile. Unfortunately, in many tropical countries, including Mexico, mangroves are being destroyed to make way for e.g. hotels.
Playa Celestun
The beach of Celestun is not the best beach you will see in Yucatan. The water is not turquoise and the sand is not as white and soft as the sand in Tulum or Cancun. Anyway, the beach of Celestun is still nice and wide. Along the beach, you can choose from many local fish restaurants serving up freshly caught seafood. The best thing about the beach here is that you can actually enjoy the sunset as the beach is westward facing. In Tulum, Playa or Cancun you can only enjoy the sunrise.
You Might Be Interested In
Planning a trip to Mexico?
Mexico Accommodation
Begin your search for the perfect accommodation now while the excitement is still fresh in your mind. Discover stylish and affordable options, and find the best accommodations at the lowest prices:
- Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Booking.com)
- Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico (Tripadvisor)
- Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico (Agoda)
- Discover affordable hostels in Mexico (Hostelworld)
- Easily compare prices and book hotels in Mexico (Hotellook)
Mexico Flights
Make the most of your trip by finding the most affordable flights. We highly recommend using Kiwi.com, a reliable flight comparison site. Click here to compare and book cheap flights to Mexico.
Private Airport Transfers
Kiwitaxi is a popular online platform that specializes in providing private airport transfers and transportation services worldwide. It offers convenient and reliable door-to-door transfers between airports, hotels, and other destinations. With Kiwitaxi, you can pre-book private taxis or minivans with professional drivers, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free journey.
Rental Car in Mexico
Looking to rent a car in Mexico? Rentalcars.com has you covered! We search through all the major car rental companies in Mexico to find you the best price possible.
Mexico Tours
If you enjoy guided tours, here you can find a wide variety of options to suit every preference. Discover and join fascinating guided tours across Mexico.
Travel Insurance
When it comes to travel insurance, we understand the importance of finding reliable coverage that suits your needs. That’s why we highly recommend Safety Wing – a trusted provider offering comprehensive travel insurance plans even for digital nomads. Safeguard your travels and gain peace of mind by exploring the excellent coverage options provided by Safety Wing.
Enjoy the day!
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