Rio Lagartos Reserve and Flamingo Sanctuary

Rio Lagartos National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Gulf Coast of the Yucatan, is home to the largest nesting population of flamingos in North America. The 118,00 acre National Park was established in 1979 and includes everything from coastal dunes to mangrove swamps to tropical jungle and, in addition to the flamingos, is inhabited by more than 200 species of birds as well as sea turtles and jaguars.

Thousands of flamingos nest here from April to August, building their odd, conical mud mounds in the shallows, each containing its one egg. A boat tour around the nesting grounds will provide an excellent view of these exotic birds wading in their salty habitat.