Chiapas Birding Day Tours

Male Collared Trogon with vivid red belly and green back perched in Chiapas rainforest
Male Collared Trogon with vivid red belly and green back perched in Chiapas rainforest


At 2200 m and surrounded by pine-oak and cloud forest, San Cristobal de las Casas is the ideal place to look for the endangered Pink-headed Warbler, as well as the migratory Golden-cheeked Warbler, and altitudinal migrant Wine-throated Hummingbird.

On our day tours in the area, we travel to a mixture of locations including but not limited to a communal land pine-oak reserve, the last remnants of cloud forest in San Cristobal, urban birding locations overlooking the city, and other private properties exclusive to Sabes Aves, where we will see many hummingbirds, warblers, jays, and more, including migrants, residents and endemics.

🐦‍⬛Target birds

Pink-headed Warbler, Blue-throated Motmot, Wine-throated Hummingbird, Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Amethyst-throated Mountain Gem, Singing Quail, Bearded Screech Owl, Unspotted Saw-whet Owl, Highland Guan, Crescent-chested Warbler, Golden-cheeked Warbler, Unicolored Jay, Black-throated Jay, Azure-crowned Hummingbird, White-eared Hummingbird, Mountain Trogon

Russet-crowned Motmot resting on a branch – iconic bird of Central America with racket-shaped tail
Russet-crowned Motmot resting on a branch – iconic bird of Central America with racket-shaped tail
Mother hummingbird feeding chicks in tiny nest – intimate look at nesting behavior in Chiapas forest
Mother hummingbird feeding chicks in tiny nest – intimate look at nesting behavior in Chiapas forest
Silhouetted waterbirds in flight during golden Chiapas sunset – birdwatching in Mexico’s wetlands
Silhouetted waterbirds in flight during golden Chiapas sunset – birdwatching in Mexico’s wetlands
Wild crocodile resting on muddy riverbank – reptile sighting during Chiapas wildlife tour
Wild crocodile resting on muddy riverbank – reptile sighting during Chiapas wildlife tour
Brightly colored Green Jay perched in treetop – striking tropical bird with vibrant plumage in south
Brightly colored Green Jay perched in treetop – striking tropical bird with vibrant plumage in south
Bearded Screech-Owl on branch – nocturnal bird species seen during Chiapas night birding trip
Bearded Screech-Owl on branch – nocturnal bird species seen during Chiapas night birding trip

Book a full day tour


One of the most underrated birding sites in all of Mexico, Comitán provides endemic species alongside archaeological gems, wetland birding, and a true off-the-beaten-track experience.

An early departure from San Cristobal heading to the Tenam Puente Mayan archaeological ruins, a stunning site for birding at the transition point between pine-oak and tropical deciduous low forests. Chances to see quasi-endemics such as the Slender Sheartail, Belted Flycatcher, Olive Sparrow, Rock Wren, Botteri's Sparrow, Azure-crowned Hummingbird.

We continue onto lower elevations at the picturesque town of Tzimol, with ancient cypress trees hosting the Green Jay, Russet-crowned Motmot, Red-breasted Chat, Yellow Grosbeak, Canivet's Emerald, Bar-winged Oriole.

We finish at the wetlands of Comitan, with excellent chances to see the White-tailed Kite, White-tailed Hawk, Sora, Grass Wren, Pie-billed Grebe, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Tricolored Heron, Lesser Nighthawk.


A full morning at the Sumidero Canyon viewpoints from 1,000 meters above the Grijalva River. Excellent birding opportunities to observe an incredible range of species in this deciduous forest environment.

Target species include the Lesser Ground Cuckoo, Flammulated Flycatcher, Varied Bunting, Gartered Trogon, Belted Flycatcher, Lesser Roadrunner, Plain-capped Starthroat, Pheasant Cuckoo, Russet-crowned Motmot, Green Jay, Olive Sparrow, Hooded Warbler, Red-breasted Chat, and White-throated Magpie Jay.

We will spend time enjoying the views as well as visiting varying habitats as the sun rises over the amazing underappreciated gem in Chiapas. We'll have a chance to see water birds and even reptiles such as the crocodiles that call this habitat home.

Comitan - Mayan temples and wetlands

Sumidero - Birding above the canyon

Photo credits: Nagi Aboulenein

San Cristobal de las Casas - magical cloud forests

Palenque - Mayan ruins and jungle


We begin just before sunrise, observing birds along the access road to the stunning Palenque archaeological ruins. Early highlights include Keel-billed Toucan, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Black-headed Trogon, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Montezuma’s Oropendola, and Collared Aracari.

Inside the park, we explore the shadier forest trails where target species include Orange-billed Sparrow, Red-capped Manakin, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Tody Motmot, Kentucky Warbler, Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, and Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, taking in the impressive 2200 year old Mayan ruins.

We finish near our favourite hummingbird feeders, where it’s possible to see White-necked Jacobin, White-bellied Emerald, Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, Long-billed Hermit, Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, and Violet Sabrewing.


⏳Duration ~6 hours
💲Price 130 USD (1-2 people)
✅Included: Guiding, Transport, Entrances

⏳Duration ~7 hours
💲Price 250 USD (1-2 people)
✅Included: Guiding

⏳Duration ~8 hours
💲Price 285 USD (1-2 people)
✅Included: Guiding, Transport from San Cristobal/Tuxtla, Entrances

⏳Duration ~12 hours
💲Price 345 USD (1-2 people)
✅Included: Guiding, Transport from San Cristobal, Entrances, Meals