NEW! Mexico - Oaxaca

On this new Heatherlea tour, we visit Mexico’s stunningly beautiful Oaxaca State, where we combine incredible birding for many of the country’s 250 endemics with the archaeology of World Heritage Sites and the best food and hospitality in Mexico!

We stay in three centres within the picturesque Oaxaca, as well as having stopovers in both directions on the Yucatan peninsula to see some endemics we won’t see out west! Historic Oaxaca City is wonderful, and yet some of the best birding in the country is a short-drive away, with easily-accessible mountain and forest habitats holding a vast array of colourful and exciting species, including Dwarf Jay, White-throated Jay, Oaxaca and Bridled Sparrows, Ocellated Thrasher, Pileated Flycatcher, Golden, Dwarf and Slaty Vireos, White-throated Towhee, Boucard’s Wren, Long-tailed Wood-Partridge, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Red Warbler, Yellow-eyed Junco, Flame-coloured Tanager, Brown-backed Solitaire, Hooded Yellowthroat, and many hummingbirds, including the highly-range-restricted Blue-capped Hummingbird, Dusky, White-eared, Rivoli’s and Garnet-throated.

Many more sought-after birds can be found at the significant archaeological sites of Monte Alban and Yagul, both stunning sites for both cultural and ornithological reasons, and we stay two nights in cosy cabins (with fireplaces!) within pine forests where the endemic Bumblebee Hummingbird, and higher elevation species abound. The arts and crafts in the region are also amazing and abundant, and wood carvings and colourful textiles are a fantastic backdrop to our time here.

We also stay on the Pacific Coast, where we take a pelagic trip out to the continental shelf to see a range of Pacific seabirds, including Black and Least Storm Petrels, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Galapagos Shearwater and Pink-footed Shearwater, and despite several early starts, there will be time to relax in pools or in the lush hotel gardens during the heat of the day. An unforgettable holiday.

Enjoy your complimentary pre-flight overnight hotel before your holiday begins. Full details from our office! Read more about our Pre-flight Service here!

Day 1: Tuesday 17 November – Bienvenido a Mexico!
We fly from London to Cancun International, Mexico, meet our local guide and drive south along the Caribbean coast to the old fishing town of Puerto Morelos. We stay at Hotel Hacienda Morelos (or similar) for one night.

Day 2:  Wednesday 18 November - Puerto Morelos and transfer to Oaxaca
In the morning we spend a few hours exploring a local reserve close to town, where some of the first species we will look for include Yucatan Woodpecker, Yucatan Vireo, Grey-throated Chat, Black Catbird and Rose-throated Tanager. In the heart of the local forests, challenging species such as Thicket Tinamou, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Mayan Antthrush and Barred Antshrike may be sought, as well as range of migrant North American warblers and orioles. After lunch we return to Cancun, for our afternoon flight to Oaxaca, transferring to Hotel Mision de los Angeles where we stay for the next four nights. The hotel is in the heart of the city, from where it’s easy to walk around Oaxaca’s historic parts and its artisan shops. The city parks hold good birds too — Gray Silky Flycatcher and Rufous-backed Robin can be found in the town’s plazas!

Day 3: Thursday 19 November – La Cumbre
The diverse habitats - pine woodland, subtropical scrub and tropical dry forests- within 45 minutes of Oaxaca possess nearly one third of Mexico’s endemic bird species. We allow ample time to search for most of these during our stay.

Situated within the Benito Juarez National Park, the lush, 3,000m high elevation forests at La Cumbre are a great place to start our birding, with fabulous mountain views and fresh, mountain air. We can expect to see birds such as Red Warbler, Crescent-chested Warbler, Painted Redstart, Slate-throated Redstart, Tufted Flycatcher, Grey-barred Wren and Yellow-eyed Junco, while we search for the rare Dwarf Jay, which is found nowhere else in Mexico – all unmistakable and quite simply stunning in their own right! The roaming mixed flocks may also include the likes of Mexican Violetear, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Mexican Chickadee, Chestnut-chested and Olive Warbler, Collared Towhee, Mountain Trogon and Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo. We also plan to visit the archaeological site at Yagul today, where a range of birds such as Grey-breasted Woodpecker, Vermillion Flycatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher and White-throated Towhee may also be encountered. The setting of Yagul is enchanting, with fine views of the mountains, and columnar cacti on the entrance road are a good spot to find Beautiful and Dusky Hummingbirds visiting flowers.

In the foothills, expected birds include Dusky and Berylline Hummingbirds, while we specifically search for Oaxaca Sparrow and three endemic species of vireos: Dwarf, Golden and Slaty Vireos. With luck, we may also find Ocellated Thrasher and Pileated Flycatcher.

Day 4:  Friday 20 November - Teotitlan
Teotitlan del Valle, located about 45 minutes east from Oaxaca City, is a great place to scan scrub vegetation for Mexican endemic and specialty species. At the Piedra Azul reservoir, we will check out several habitats for some Mexican endemics, such as Bridled Sparrow, Boucard’s Wren, Dusky Hummingbird, Gray-Breasted Woodpecker, White-throated Towhee, White-striped Woodcreeper, and Collared Towhee.

At higher elevations, we have a chance for two often vocal but hard to find species: Dwarf Vireo and Slaty Vireo. Blue Mockingbird may be present, Rose-throated Becard is always nice to see, as well as Streak-backed Oriole. We keep an eye peeled for Lesser Roadrunner.

If there is interest, we can visit a local weaver and learn more about the rich colours and patterns of Zapotec rugs made with natural dyes. On the way back, we try for the Oaxaca Sparrow, and watch the sky for raptors above the agricultural fields that surround the village.

Day 5:  Saturday 21 November - Oaxaca
Today we head northwest into a variety of habitats. We focus much of our time in scrub vegetation and the mixed shrub arroyos that cut through them. We work our way up to oak woodland at a mid-elevation site (c. 2,000m) which is good for the endemic Ocellated Thrasher, Oaxaca Sparrow, and another chance to find Slaty Vireo. Elegant Euphonia occurs here, Nutting’s Flycatcher, White-throated Towhee, Black-vented Oriole, and we could find the elusive Blue Mockingbird. This is also a good area for butterflies.

We hope to return earlier to allow some exploration of the historic Oaxaca ahead of our final night in town.

Day 6: Sunday 22 November – Monte Alban
Today will be a day where we will combine archaeology, birding and travelling. The morning’s highlight is a visit to the striking archaeological site of Monte Alban, the largest and most important pre-Columbian site in the state, starting around 500 BC. Intricate and fanciful carvings adorn buildings, many depicting animals. The ruins are situated around an open plaza. The ruins hold Rock and Canyon Wrens, as well as orioles and hummingbirds, Cassin’s Kingbird, Vermilion Flycatcher, and perhaps some lower elevation mixed flocks that may include Golden Vireo. After lunch and a chance to view the sought-after Alebrijes (woodcarvings of the region), we have a scenic four-hour drive to the town of San Jose del Pacifico. Overnight Cabanas Puesta del Sol for two nights.

We arrive at our cosy lodge in time to check out the hummingbird feeders - with luck we may find Rivoli’s, White-eared, Garnet-throated, or the tiny Bumblebee Hummingbird. At night we listen for the song of the Mexican Whip-poor-will.

Day 7: Monday 23 November – San Jose
A relaxing day birding in the lodge gardens and the nearby pine oak forest. This montane area of pine forest hosts some interesting species of birds such as Long-tailed Wood-Partridge, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, and more chances for Red Warbler, Yellow-eyed Junco, Flame-coloured Tanager, Brown-backed Solitaire, Hooded Yellowthroat, Garnet-throated Hummingbird, and if we get lucky we may find the very elusive White-throated Jay.

Day 8: Tuesday 24 November – Mountain to Coast
An early start for our winding drive towards the coastal area of Oaxaca through the Sierra Madre de Sur, one of the three great mountain ranges of Mexico. We stop regularly for birds, where our targets include Blue-capped Hummingbird (the state of Oaxaca’s only endemic bird species) and Red-headed Tanager, and there is another possibility of finding Golden Vireo.

Once over the mountains, the avian diversity changes and we arrive at our hotel on the Pacific Coast. The hotel gardens are great, most rooms have balconies, and all have lovely art and Mexican furnishings. Spoil yourself a bit here in between some great birding! We stay at the Hotel Villablanca, Huatulco for four nights.

Day 9:  Wednesday 25 November – Mountains, Forests and Plantations
After our early breakfast we will drive into the mountains north of Huatulco, exploring this area of coffee plantations and tropical semi-deciduous forest that hosts some extraordinary endemics, including the Blue-capped Hummingbird again, Wagler’s (Emerald) Toucanet, Gray-crowned Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Emerald, and chances of Mexican Hermit. We have lunch at a coffee finca where we can sample shade grown coffee and delicious food before driving back with some birding en route, looking for Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Happy Wren, Greenish Elaenia, White-tipped Dove, and Red-legged Honeycreeper.

Day 10:  Thursday 26 November – Pacific Pelagic!
We head 5-6 miles out to the continental shelf where we hope to see Black and Least Storm Petrels, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Galapagos Shearwater, Pink-footed Shearwater, with chances of booby and skua species as well – extraordinary pelagic birding so close to shore!

Once back onshore, we’ll have time to relax and enjoy some new birds around Huatulco and in the evening we will have an early dinner and go out for some night-birding, some possibilities include Mottled Owl, Pacific Screech Owl, Buff-collared Nightjar and Pauraque.

Day 11:  Friday 27 November – Huatulco
Today we explore the Huatulco area in more detail, targeting new species. One option is the Copalita River mouth where Collared Plover are possible along with many other species. Another option is the foothills searching for Yellow-winged Cacique, or birding near the city of Huatulco in low deciduous forest. Orange-breasted Bunting, Russet-crowned Motmot, Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, Citreoline Trogon, Happy Wren, Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird, Red-breasted Chat, and other species are readily seen along the local woodland trails, along with a plethora of butterflies.

Day 12:  Saturday 28 November – Back to Oaxaca
Birding in the hotel grounds before a long drive back to the city of Oaxaca, birding along the way. Overnight in the Hotel Mision de Los Angeles in Oaxaca.

Day 13:  Sunday 29 November – Back to Cancun
Today, we take the flight from Oaxaca to Cancun. Depending on our flight time, we may be able to do some birding or sightseeing in Oaxaca before we leave, or some birding before dinner in Cancun. Overnight at the Hilton Garden Inn, Cancun Airport.

Day 14:  Monday 30 November – Back to the UK
We leave Cancun, arriving in London the following morning (Day 15).

Please note: all itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and elements beyond our control (eg weather).

What's included in your holiday price:

• scheduled return flights between London and Cancun, domestic flights as listed on your itinerary, airport taxes. Please contact us for prices involving connection from a different UK airport.
• ground transportation and boat trips as outlined including all transportation in Mexico in a modern and spacious air-conditioned vehicle.
• accommodation and all meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• the services of your leaders.
• entrance fees to parks and reserves, and tips to hotels and restaurants.
• departure taxes.
• The Heatherlea Pre-Flight Service which includes pre-flight airport hotel and lounge free of charge subject to terms and conditions. Read more...
• FREE! ‘Birds of Mexico and Central America’ field guide by Ber van Perlo, is included in your holiday price. One copy per room booked.​

What's not included in your holiday price:

• personal insurance
• drinks and other personal expenses
• visa costs (where necessary)
• tips to the driver and local guide
• any other costs not specified as 'included'.

More holiday information:

Accommodation is en-suite in comfortable hotels & lodges, with the Huatulco hotel a firm favourite, and the Oaxaca hotel perfectly located in the city centre.
Food Breakfast is usually served as a buffet, with a wide choice. Dinner is usually a plated meal, again with a choice, although Oaxaca cuisine is particularly tasty and will be enjoyed regularly! Lunches are generally taken in the field, though sometimes we will stop at restaurants and hotels. Vegetarian and other diets are welcome.
Walking is generally light - moderate. There is some uphill track and road walking, and an average level of fitness is required, although all walks will be at a gentle pace. In many places easy birding is readily available at feeders close to our accommodation.
Weather will predominantly be warm (occasionally up to c. 30-35°C at the coast), with the possibility of cooler temperatures at higher altitudes and on the pelagic. Bring a sunhat and sunscreen and layers of clothing.
Insects There are biting insects, though these are not usually a major problem. A good repellent is recommended just incase.
Group size is restricted to 12 clients maximum.
Flights are by scheduled airline, from London to Cancun. If you wish to add an extension either before or after your holiday, we will be happy to arrange this for you.