Located 10 minutes north of Mazatlan's “Golden Zone” by car, the Estero Del Yugo Preserve is an important educational & nature center for the city and the state of Sinaloa. The 27 acre sanctuary consists of two lagoons, one fresh and the other salt water, both connected by wooden boardwalks that include birding blinds for resting and an observation tower. Although the small preserve is surrounded by hotels and the ever encroaching urban sprawl, it is a refuge for over 200 species of aquatic and terrestrial birds and an important center for environmental education. The list includes the Least Grebe, Neotropic Cormorant, Anhinga, Magnificent Frigate bird, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, many ducks including the Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Cinnamon, Blue & Green-winged Teals, and Ruddy Duck as well as Rufous-bellied Chachalaca, Elegant Quail, Black-throated Magpie Jay and Purplish-backed Jay. All these species inhabit or winter in its well preserved habitats of mangrove-lined lagoons and tropical deciduous forest.

Level 1 walking 2-3 hour long tour

7:00am- 10am

No box lunch (water included)

All tours leave from the lobby from the Hotel Playa Mazatlan

 $25 usd /person