Yelapa - Vallarta Bird and Nature Festival

Sunset Cruise to Yelapa

and Los Arcos by Boat

Highlights:

A traditional fishing village 25 km south of Puerto Vallarta, Boca de Tomatlan is where we will board a private panga and cruise the coast until reaching the isolated and beautiful beach village of Yelapa. You will then walk to a small up-river lagoon that provides habitat for a varied population of waterbirds, including herons, egrets, and Brown Pelicans. Sometimes, the Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle will be soaring overhead and Military Macaws may be heard and seen. The sunset cruise leaves Yelapa en route to the landmark and protected marine reserve at Los Arcos National Marine Park, where you will have many opportunities to watch shorebirds and egrets, cormorants, pelicans, and Magnificent Frigatebirds staking out their evening roosting spots on the islands. The surrounding waters support abundant marine life, including Humpback Whales and Manta Rays; they may be spotted but there is no guarantee.

Itinerary: Depart the Hyatt Ziva at 3:30 pm

Sunset Cruise to Yelapa and Los Arcos by Boat

Leader: Stephen Shunk Lizzy Martinez

Date: Friday, February 24

Group Size: Limited to 7 people

Duration: 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Language: English and Spanish

$1,300 MXN

Festival Registration Required

SOLD OUT

Explore Nature in a New Way

We look both up to the skies for soaring birds overhead and down into the water for colorful coral reefs with tropical fish. The waters around these granite islands are rarely choppy, allowing us to enter the natural tunnels from which the name Los Arcos comes.

Within the tunnels we may find great numbers of swallows (Northern Rough-winged, Mangrove and Barn) and Gray-breasted Martins.

We keep our eyes to the skies because the Great Swallow-tailed Swift has been reported along with the more common White-collared Swift. While returning to Boca de Tomatlan we’ll watch for raptors like Gray Hawk, Great, and Common Black Hawks, vultures, and sometimes Wood Stork. Surprises are frequent along this stunning coastline.