Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Banderas Bay region is home to over 300 different species of birds and will be the site for the Puerto Vallarta International Birding Festival, March 6th through 9th. The event is hosted by the Vallarta Bird Conservancy and will kick off at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens.

Four action packed days of birding and nature walks in unique habitats with expert guides will be sure to satisfy even the most advanced birders. Lectures from local and international authorities on many interesting bird and birding related topics will round out the festival.

Registration

In-person registration may only be done on the first day of the festival - for any tours that are not filled - at Best Western Plus Suites. There is limited space in each tour so it is strongly recommended to register on-line.

Registration is made online at the Puerto Vallarta International Birding Festival official website. Confirmation will be sent at the completion of online registration. Should you not be able register on-line. Please contact Claudia Lovera: e-mail - puertovallartabirdfestival(at)gmail.com or call (322) 293-8052 for help in registering.

Festival Schedule

Thursday/Friday festival days include tours south of Puerto Vallarta.

Thursday lunch: Vallarta Botanical Gardens - self-pay.
Friday lunch: At host hotel - Best Western Plus Suites (non-hotel guests self-pay.)

Lectures both days at Best Western Plus Suites.

Saturday/Sunday festival days include tours North of Puerto Vallarta.

Lunch will be at El Salado market day vendors.

Sunday is Family/General public day at El Salado. Continuous tours at El Salado for general public, children’s activities, films, and market - registration required.

Lectures both days at El Salado.

See official site schedule page for more detail.

Check-In

All tours start at the host hotel - Best Western Plus Suites. There is a short check-in procedure for your first tour to receive your festival registration package and to submit a signed waiver form (required of all festival participants.) Please arrive by 6:45 am for check-in, as tours leave at 7:00 am.

Standby

We do not maintain any standby lists. Cancellations in the online registration will release places for others.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

If we cancel a Festival Bird tour or workshop you will receive a full refund for that event. If you cancel an event by February 7th, you will receive a refund. If you cancel after February 7th, you will not receive a refund. Notify us of cancellation by letter or e-mail to puertovallartabirdfestival(at)gmail.com. We will refund your payment by paypal and deduct a $20(US) cancellation fee.

Tour Notes

Pets are not allowed.

Children under 12 not accepted.

Tours are meant for birding and thus quiet at ALL times.

Tours may require walking steep slopes and rough terrain or long distances. Please be aware of each tours difficulty rating and your ability to participate, as do not provide help since there are only guides giving the tours looking for birds.

Transportation

Transportation is available by van for all tours for $380 Pesos - Approx $30 US - per person per day. This transportation will depart from our host hotel - Best Western Plus Suites. This will include transportation by van for both morning and afternoon tours, and transportation to and from the days lunch and lecture places.

If you require this transportation, you must add transportation cost for that day for each person in your registration, otherwise, you will be expected to provide your own transportation - meeting at Casa Iguana to carpool to the birding sites.

Tours leave on time and will not wait. Tours will return to either Vallarta Botanical Gardens for lunch, or to the host hotel for lunch and lectures, or El Salado for lunch and lectures.

See official site schedule page for more information.

Lectures

All festival participants can go to afternoon lectures that will be either at the Host hotel Best Western Plus Suites or El Salado at no charge. Tours will return to these locations.

Lodging

Best Western Plus Suites is our host hotel. It is an all-inclusive hotel located a short distance South of Puerto Vallarta and part way to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. Tours will depart and return here, and some of the lectures will be held there. Consider staying here and see the lodging page for instructions on receiving the Bird festival rate.

Food

All tours will include a snack and water. Lunch will be available for purchase at one of the festival days hosts, Vallarta Botanical Gardens, Best Western Plus Suites (hotel guests' lunch included,) or El Salado depending on that day’s schedule.

What to Bring

• Binoculars
• Please dress in layers - see weather below
• Good walking shoes - sandals not advised
• Mosquito spray
• Bird books if you have them

Weather

Nearly perfect, Puerto Vallarta’s tropical climate has an average daytime temperature of 80*F and a evening temperature of 60*F with about a 70 percent humidity level. Areas around El Tuito, at higher elevations, can be slightly cooler. The sun rises around 7 am and sets around 7 pm with beautiful morning lighting and spectacular sunsets for you photographers. March is the dry season.

Check out the Puerto Vallarta International Birding Festival official website for more information including schedules, events, speakers and guides, and contact info. Also check them out on facebook.

See you there!