Pacific Mexico & Rancho Primavera
with Black River Audubon Society

 
 

February 8-14, 2026

From: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Participant Limit: 10
Activity Level: Moderate

Price: $3,385 per person (Double Occupancy)
$3,575 per person (Single)

Relax this winter on a private ranch in western Mexico, with West Mexican Chachalacas as your alarm clock and Black-throated Magpie-Jays over coffee. Spend six nights in the same location as you explore the endemic-rich habitats of Cabo Corrientes, just 90 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta and just outside the 16th-Century pueblo of El Tuito. The 200 acre Rancho Primavera lies just under 2000 feet in elevation—between the thorn forest and the pine forest—on the Pacific Slope of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Situated at this habitat transition zone, the ranch boasts an bird list of more than 300 species, making it the #2 birding spot in the state of Jalisco and among the top 25 hotspots in all of Mexico.

In January of 2024, Naturalist Journeys’ guide Steve Shunk moved to Rancho Primavera with his partner, Mexican birding guide and biologist Lizzy Martinez. Now, Steve and Lizzy invite you for a winter escape to this lovely private guest ranch in the foothills of the Sierra Madre. They walk with you around the trails of the property, through meadows and forest, to productive ponds, and along the Tuito River. A morning visit to the ranch feeders is simply incredible. Just a few of the regular visitors include: Black-throated Magpie-Jay, Yellow Grosbeak, Blue Mockingbird, Cinnamon-bellied Saltator, Cinnamon Hummingbird, White-throated Thrush, Streak-backed Oriole, Yellow-winged Cacique, and Golden-cheeked Woodpecker.

Away from the feeders, we search for more Pacific-Slope endemics, like Colima Pygmy-Owl, Orange-fronted Parakeet, Russet-crowned Motmot, Gray-crowned Woodpecker, Happy Wren, Golden Vireo, and West Mexican Euphonia. Regular raptors on the property include Great and Common Black Hawks, Gray Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, and Zone-tailed Hawk. Water birds at the ponds might include Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Least Grebe, Northern Jacana, and three kingfisher species. But our week in the region goes well beyond the ranch.

We spend one morning at the world-class Vallarta Botanical Gardens, with San Blas and Green Jays at the feeders. Take a morning boat ride to Los Arcos Marine Reserve to look for Blue-footed Boobies and Humpback Whales. Explore into the thorn forest of the Costalegre, where we look for Orange-breasted Bunting and Flammulated Flycatcher. The pine forest at the highest elevations can bring Flame-colored Tanager plus Grace’s and Golden-crowned Warblers. The Cabo Corrientes experience—with Rancho Primavera as your base—is sure to put this trip high on your list of favorite vacations.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks are included.

 

Summary Itinerary

Day 1              Arrival in Puerto Vallarta | Rancho Primavera
Day 2              Birding Rancho Primavera
Day 3              Vallarta Botanical Gardens
Day 4              Mayto & the Costalegre
Day 5              Los Arcos & Yelapa
Day 6              Provincia Road & Yelapa-Tapa
Day 7              Morning at the Ranch & Departures

Tour Highlights

  • Unpack and relax—spend six nights at the ranch, giving you ample time to settle in

  • Soak in beautiful weather in the dead of winter, with sunny days in the 70s and 80s

  • Enjoy many chances to see dozens of Pacific-Slope/West Mexican endemic birds

  • Take easy walks on roads and trails, with plenty of chances for leisure time

  • Explore with seasoned, English-speaking guides who live on the ranch property

  • Experience impressive habitat diversity from the Pacific Ocean to the Sierra Madrean pine forest.

  • Indulge in delicious, authentic Mexican food, like birria, pozole, jocoque cheese, hand-made tortillas, and delicious salsas, as well as the freshest Pacific seafood—it’s a vacation after all!