General Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Mexico: The Yucatán and Cozumel. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they took this tour. Although we do our best to make sure what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
ENTERING MEXICO: Mexico is now requiring a valid passport for entry by U.S. citizens. Citizens of other countries may need a visa and should check their nearest Mexican embassy. Your passport, as a general rule, should be valid for at least six months after the date the tour ends. Tourist cards are required and are obtained upon entry at the border customs.
MAP AND COUNTRY INFORMATION: You can view maps of Mexico in the University of Texas series here. Click on the map’s lower right corner to adjust size. You can review the U.S. department of State background notes on Mexico here.
HEALTH: It is the opinion of the Centers for Disease Control that travelers to the coastal areas of the Yucatan are at risk for malaria. The recommended anti-malarial drug for this area is chloroquine. You should consult further with your doctor about the CDC’s recommendation and what action you should take.
No specific immunizations are necessary, although up-to-date tetanus protection is always a good idea. Special medications may be unavailable so bring enough to cover your needs for the entire trip. You can review the latest CDC advisories here.
We have found that careful eating and especially drinking habits help avoid intestinal problems. In most of Mexico it is unwise to drink untreated water; although bottled water and soft drinks are reliable. Bottled water is available almost everywhere.
No specific immunizations are necessary, although up-to-date tetanus protection is always a good idea.
PACE OF THE TOUR: As on most neotropical tours, early starts are important and we will leave most mornings at around 5:30 am to be in the field for dawn (leaving at 4:30 am on one day when we have a long drive to reach our destination.); but it gets dark early (by 5:30 pm) so we won’t be out late, and on several days there will be the opportunity for a siesta break after lunch. Almost all the birding is along level roads or largely flat ground, with no narrow forest trails; one day we’ll take a boat trip for about three hours in mangrove lagoons. The only climbing you will need to do is in our hotels, most of which do not have elevators but do have two-three stories, and (optional) on any ruins at Chichén Itzá.
CLIMATE: Mexico’s climate is extremely variable. In winter (December to February) daytime highs could reach the low 90s with lows possibly in the 50 degree (F.) range. It is usually humid and rain is quite possible. We suggest a folding umbrella.
ACCOMMODATIONS: The Casita del Mar in Puerto Morelos is on the beach, has a small pool and bar plus the usual facilities. The Faisan y Venado in Felipe Carrillo Puerto is a basic Mexican hotel, so nothing fancy should be expected. It has a/c and ceiling fans in the rooms, is very near excellent forest for birding, and has a restaurant (with a non-smoking room!) that serves a good variety of Mexican food and local specialities. The El Meson del Marquez in Valladolid is a pleasant hotel with restaurant, set on the corner of the colonial zócalo (town square) opposite a large cathedral. The Brisas Cozumel on Cozumel is a modern resort hotel with all of the usual facilities.
DRESS: Informal dress will be appropriate throughout the trip.
TRANSPORTATION: Travel will be in eight-passenger mini-buses driven by the leader(s)
SMOKING: We request that you do not smoke in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, we ask that you do so well away from the group and downwind if possible.
GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information & Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to The Yucatán and Cozumel will be sent to each registrant on receipt of their booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Updated: February 2008