Day Trip to Celestun Biosphere Reserve (Mexico)
If you’re looking for a nature escape in Mexico, the Celestun Biosphere Reserve is certainly worth considering! With so many ecosystems packed into one small area, this coastal wetland reserve is a haven for wildlife on the Yucatán Peninsula. It’s most renowned for the pink flamingos that gather here throughout the year, however, this peaceful region is great whether you’re interested in birdwatching, exploring mangroves, or simply looking to escape the city.
I took a day trip to Celestun Biosphere Reserve from Merida, so here is my complete guide for visiting! Check out the contents section to skip to your preferred section.
Why Visit the Celestun Biosphere Reserve?
The Celestun Biosphere Reserve covers over 146,000 hectares and is home to hundreds of bird species, including the famous flamingos. The area also features mangrove forests, salt flats, and quiet beaches.
I view Celestun as the little brother of the Sian Ka’an Nature Reserve near Tulum. It’s smaller, cheaper, and less-visited allowing for more authentic sightings!
Key reasons to visit include:
- Observing flamingos in their natural habitat.
- Exploring the mangroves by boat.
- Relaxing on quiet beaches.
- Trying fresh seafood in the local village.
- Spotting other wildlife such as crocodiles, cormorants and pelicans.
How to Get to Celestun Biosphere Reserve
Celestún is about 90 km west of Mérida, Yucatán’s capital. Here are your options for getting there:
- By Car or Bike: Renting a car or scooter allows you to travel at your own pace. The drive from Mérida takes around 1.5 to 2 hours via Highway 281.
- By Bus: ADO and other local buses run daily from Mérida to Celestún, taking around 2.5 hours.
- By Tour: Various tour operators in Mérida offer day trips, which usually include transportation and a boat tour.
Best Time to Visit Celestun Biosphere
The best time to visit Celestun is between December and March when flamingo numbers are at their peak. The weather is cooler, making it more pleasant to explore.
If you prefer a quieter experience, visiting in April to May can still be rewarding with fewer crowds and nice weather. However, there’s slightly less chance of spotting flamingos!
Beyond this time (May-November), you’re unlikely to see many flamingos since they migrate to Isla Holbox.
How to Visit the Celestun Biosphere Reserve
There are several ways to explore the Celestún Biosphere Reserve, depending on your preferences and budget.
- With a Tour: Booking a guided tour from Mérida or Celestun is the most popular option as everything is organised for you. Most tours include your transport for the day; a guided boat trip; and insights from knowledgeable local guides. It’s a hassle-free option but can be expensive compared to other tours. Prices range from 1500 MXN upwards.
- Group Excursions: Similarly, some eco-lodges and hotels in Celestún offer group excursions, which can be a good way to meet fellow travellers and enjoy a planned-out itinerary.
- Independently: If you prefer flexibility, you can hire a boat directly from the local cooperative at the Celestun dock. Prices are usually set per boat, so sharing with other travellers can reduce costs. If you visit Celestun independently, try to arrive early as wildlife is more active in the morning and you will probably have the reserve all to yourself!
I booked a tour so I could meet people easily and have transport arranged for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but in hindsight, I would’ve tried something more adventurous. Perhaps rent a scooter (less than 500MXN/day) to explore this less-visited part of Yucatan, then stay overnight somewhere nearby.
Things to Do in Celestun Biosphere
1. Flamingo Boat Tours
A boat tour is the best way to see the flamingos and explore the mangroves. Tours typically last around 2-3 hours and provide great views of the landscape and wildlife.
On our tour, we departed from Celestun Beach early in the morning and headed south, hugging the coastline in search of flamingos. It wasn’t long until we saw a group of them. We cut the engines and stopped to take photos, admiring their pink beauty.
Not long later we spotted another group, and then another! I’m glad I had my zoom lens as we kept our distance from the flamingos.
On the way back to shore, we swam in the sea to cool off. Despite being far out, it was very shallow! The ground is very silty as it’s largely untouched – perhaps a good facemask?! We stopped a few times to see if we could spot dolphins, but sadly no luck on this occasion.
2. Exploring the Mangroves
The mangroves provide habitat for many bird species and other wildlife. Most boat tours also include stops here for closer exploration.
Gladly, my tour included a trip to the mangroves, where we cut inland through a narrow water passage to explore. Travelling slowly, we could see various fish in the waters and crabs lurking in the mud, as well as hear the calls of exotic birds. We didn’t spot any crocodiles, but it’s a possibility!
3. Relaxing at Celestun Beach
Celestun Beach offers a laid-back atmosphere with soft sand and calm waters, to unwind after your boat tour.
Whether you’re on a tour or exploring independently, Celestun Beach is a great place to chill out.
Quieter and more rugged than many of the other beaches in Yucatan, it’s perhaps not ‘Insta-worthy’, but it was very interesting to walk along. Every few meters we found beautiful shells and other washed-ashore treats.
Several small beachfront restaurants serve fresh seafood. It’s a bit more expensive than Merida, but it was included in my tour which was ideal! I can’t remember what it was, but the catch of the day was amazing! Bring your own snacks if you don’t want to pay for food.
4. Birdwatching Beyond Flamingos
In addition to flamingos, the reserve is home to a wide variety of bird species such as pelicans, cormorants, egrets, ospreys, herons and more. Various duck, gull, and geese species are also found here, though they’re much more interesting than the ones I usually spot in the UK!
Bring some binoculars or a zoom lens to try and identify different species in the reserve.
5. Visit the Ria Celestun Interpretation Centre
This small centre provides information about the local ecosystem and conservation efforts.
Tip: Visiting before your tour can give you a better understanding of the area’s biodiversity.
6. Visit Sisal or Progreso Beaches
Whilst these beaches are not within the Celestun Biosphere, these two areas offer a great alternative for explorers looking to get off the beaten track. You could spend the rest of the day enjoying the peace from these beaches, and potentially spend the night before heading back to Merida.
Fun fact: Progreso is home to the longest pier in the world, jutting out over an impressive 8km!
Accommodation in Celestun
Celestun town doesn’t exactly have many accommodation options! There’s nothing on Hostelworld (at least as of 2025), so Booking and Airbnb are your best options for booking somewhere in advance.
The cheapest options are basic and small boutique hotels located just along the coast. These range from £50 upwards, so more pricey than in Merida.
Of course, there are more luxury options in the form of eco-lodges and fancy beachside Airbnbs which can be anywhere over £100/night.
What to Pack for Celestun Biosphere Reserve
If you’re taking a day trip to Celestun Biosphere, make sure you bring:
- Lightweight, breathable clothing + swimming costume
- Hat and sunglasses: On sunny days it can get very bright on the boat
- Sunscreen (preferably eco-friendly)
- Insect repellent
- Binoculars: Great for wildlife spotting
- Camera: Preferably one with a zoom lens
- Dry bag: Keep your belongings
- Towel: Dry off after a swim
- Water and snacks: handy for the journey and the beach
If you’re not planning on hiking anywhere, flip-flops or sandals are fine for the day. I wore trainers but soon realised I didn’t need them!
Sustainable Travel Tips
Since Celestun is a protected area, it’s important to be mindful of the environment:
- Keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
- Choose eco-conscious tour operators.
- Avoid single-use plastics and dispose of waste properly. Do not let go of any rubbish on the boat, otherwise it will blow away and damage the mangroves!
- Support local businesses by dining and shopping locally. I fully endorse the Marquesita stand!!
Before you go
Thank you for reading this guide to visiting the Celestun Biosphere Reserve in Mexico. If guides, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my Homepage to find out more.
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Happy travelling!