Celestun
Some of the best beaches on the Gulf of Mexico can be found in the sleepy Mexican town of Celestun, which is situated on the western side of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is also one of the most well-liked day trips from Merida, the state capital of Yucatan and one of Mexico's most exquisite and excellent Colonial cities. Fantastic seafood restaurants are located next to the water as the town spills directly onto the beach. Enjoy fresh fish and stone crab while watching the sun set over the horizon.
A cafe in the town's main square is a great place to watch the lively transformation of this sleepy Mexican fishing community. Many tourists come to this town to see the flamingos at the Celestun Biosphere Reserve during the winter. To see the flamingo flocks feeding in the shallows, take a boat ride from the beach.
Take a boat tour from Celestun to explore the mangroves and possibly see an alligator or swim in a cenote (hopefully not both at the same time!). In the Celestun bird sanctuary, one of the best places for birding in Mexico, you'll also see a variety of other birds, including two types of pelicans. To get good photos of the flamingos feeding up close, walk to the estuaries on the outskirts of town. The Celestun flamingos season is from November-April, but the best time to see the Celestun flamingos is from December-February.
Celestun travel tips:
- Where are the best things to do in Celestun Mexico? Check out these best Celestun tours for inspo.
- Where is Celestun Mexico located? Quintana Roo state, Yucatan Peninsula
- What’s the best time to visit Celestun? November-April
- How do you get to Celestun? Fly into Merida International Airport (code: MID), then take shared or public transport, or drive your rental car about 90-minutes west to Celestun.
Google rating: 4.5/5.0
Location: Yucatán, Mexico
