Trip Date: November 2025 | Location: Costa Maya and Belize
We decided on a Thanksgiving week cruise, specifically selecting one that called at Costa Maya, as a planned stop there earlier in the year had been cancelled. We also looked forward to visiting Belize, a country we had toured before we were birders.
Costa Maya: Birding & Mayan Flavors at Rancho KM 5
We booked a 5-hour birding tour with Mahahual Ecotours. Victor Rosales picked us up outside the port terminal at 9:00 am, and the ride to Bacalar was just over an hour. Our destination was a private, rustic farm property that is a partnership in which the owner collaborates with Mahahual Ecotours to protect the local habitat. This is a working farm with multiple trails and habitats, including the fresh pepper gardens. Good hiking shoes and long pants are recommended.
Our guide, Víctor Rosales, can spot hidden birds from over 100 yards away and mimic local bird calls seamlessly. He also makes sure you actually get to see the bird. We had amazing views of the Collared Aracari, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, and Black-headed Trogon. We viewed almost 50 species on the property.
After a successful morning of birding, we transitioned to a more relaxed, culinary experience at Rancho KM 5. We participated in a hot sauce tasting using the fresh peppers grown directly on-site. We reviewed our bird list while enjoying an authentic Mayan lunch topped with homemade hot sauces and drinking hibiscus water. Make sure to buy some hot sauce to remind you of this wonderful place.
Next, Victor took us down a dirt road to another birding area on the way back to port. This was a different habitat, and we quickly added two new life birds: Cinnamon Hummingbird and Yellow-backed Oriole. We walked one last area near the port, and Victor heard a Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. He expertly mimicked the sound, and we had great looks at this amazing bird.
Our final tally was 60 species, including 12 life birds.
New Life Birds:
- Cinnamon Hummingbird
- White-bellied Emerald
- Black-headed Trogon
- Collared Aracari
- Yellow-olive Flatbill
- Yucatan Jay
- Spot-breasted Wren
- Yellow-backed Oriole
- Red-throated Ant-Tanager
- Blue-black Grosbeak
- Morelet’s Seedeater
- Cinnamon-bellied Saltator
From the elusive Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl to authentic Mayan hot sauces, our day in Costa Maya was the perfect blend of birding success and local culture.
Belize: Returning to the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
We first cruised to Belize in 2005 before we became birders. On that cruise, we went on a cave tubing excursion. As we walked through the jungle, Mike asked the guide if they had boa constrictors. His response: ‘No, only vipers, ‘ which didn’t make me feel better. I still need to go through the photos to see if we photographed any birds in addition to the bats in the caves.
For this trip, we booked a bird tour to the famous Bird’s Eye View Lodge & Tours inside the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. We were disappointed that our driver was not a birder and did not understand our goal of finding target species. Even so, on the 16-mile ride from the port, we saw 26 species including a lifer Yellow-lored Amazon. While we have encountered Muscovy Ducks in Florida and Texas, they were always marked as domestic; spotting them in their native, wild habitat was an entirely different experience and a true highlight of our Belize trip. We also saw Roadside Hawk, Red-lored Amazon, Vermilion Flycatcher, and Tropical Kingbird.
Bird’s Eye View Birding
Once we arrived, the first part of the tour was a boat ride through the sanctuary’s lagoons and marshes. Our captain, Michael Gillett, knows the area and bird life expertly. We experienced some rain, but the day improved. We were excited to see a Morelet’s crocodile, found only in the Atlantic regions of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. It usually grows to about 10 ft in total length (including the tail).
November is at the end of the rainy season, and the waters are at peak height. Our guide was able to take us into areas that are completely dry in the spring. Great birds included lifers Black-collared Hawk and Yellow-breasted Crake. Some other stellar birds are Laughing Falcon, Green Kingfisher, and the stunning Boat-billed Heron.
Bird’s Eye View Lodge and Grounds
We had lunch at the lagoon-side, open-air restaurant serving freshly prepared, authentic Belizean cuisine. After lunch, we birded the Bird’s Eye View Lodge Property and had great looks at the many Northern Jacanas. We were delighted to see Groove-billed Ani, Mangrove Swallow, and Social Flycatcher.
We spent 3 hours at the sanctuary and found 46 species. While we highly recommend this tour, confirm with the operator that the driver will also be taking you to birding locations along the way.
New Life Birds:
- Yellow-breasted Crake
- Black-collared Hawk
- Yellow-lored Amazon
- Muscovy Duck
Reflecting on Costa Maya and Belize, our passion for birding has transformed how we travel. Whether navigating the lagoons of Crooked Tree or exploring private farms, every sighting—from the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl to the Black-collared Hawk—reminded us why we love this hobby. With 94 species and 16 new lifers to show for it, we returned home with a renewed perspective on these destinations.
Trip Summary:
Costa Maya Totals: 60 species • 12 life birds
Belize Totals: 61 species • 4 life birds
Trip Totals: 94 species • 16 life birds
See more cruising trips in our Cruise Birding Hub.
Next Up: Germany to Austria – Join us on our first trip to Europe. (Coming soon)
You must be logged in to post a comment.