If you want to watch birds near Los Cabos, come inland to fresh water. Our corner of Santiago sits beside a freshwater lagoon at the foot of the Santiago oasis, with reeds, palm groves and native vegetation running up to the Sierra de la Laguna. That mix of open water, reeds and palms is what brings the birds in, and it's about an hour's drive north of Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) on Highway 1.
We watch these birds every day from the lagoon's edge. This is what we see, when we'd go out, and how to do it with us or on your own from the shore.
What you'll see on the Santiago lagoon
Herons are the birds you'll notice first. Then there's a steady traffic of waterbirds and raptors through the day. These are the ones we see most:
- White and gray herons: they fly low between the palm trees and stand in the shallows. You won't have to look hard for them.
- Egrets: watch the reeds and the shallow edges, where they fish slowly and patiently. They're easiest to pick out against the dark water early in the morning.
- Ducks and geese: out on the open water, usually in the calmer stretches away from the reeds.
- Eagles and hawks: overhead, coming and going over the lagoon and the palm forest. Look up when the waterbirds suddenly go quiet.
You'll hear the lagoon as much as see it. Frogs keep up a rhythmic croak through the evening, and it carries across the water.
When to go: sunrise and sunset
Go at sunrise or sunset. Those are the hours when the birds are most active, and they're also the hours the light is kindest on the water. Sunrise over the lagoon is worth setting an early alarm for: the water is often still and the herons are already working the edges.
In winter, the days are warm but the nights and early mornings are chilly, so bring a jacket and a sweater for a dawn outing. In summer, early and late are the only comfortable times to be out anyway, and you'll want sunscreen. The lagoon also draws insects, so a little extra bug spray is a good idea in any season.
Our guided outing: Birdwatching at Sunrise or Sunset
Our birdwatching experience is two hours with a specialized guide, timed for sunrise or sunset. We provide binoculars, and we finish with a damiana drink, made from the local herb. If you're new to birding, the guide is the reason to book: knowing where to look along the reeds makes the difference between seeing a heron and seeing everything that's out there.
It's designed for guests aged 13 and older and booked separately from your room. To reserve, or ask about current rates, speak with our concierge (every day, 7:30 am to 11:30 pm) or write to contacto@nestloscabos.com.
Other ways to watch from the water and the shore
You don't need a formal outing to see birds here. Three other ways we'd suggest:
- Kayak and Meditation: a one-hour paddle on the calm water of the lagoon with a guide, stopping at a quiet spot for a flow meditation. From a kayak you get closer to the reeds than you can from the shore. Kayak equipment is included.
- Yoga at Dawn: a one-hour sunrise session on the shore of the lagoon, with an instructor, mat and damiana tea. It's the same hour the birds wake up, and it's hard not to break off and watch.
- From your terrace: our Terra Rooms have a private terrace with a lagoon view. You may spot herons or hawks from your terrace in the early morning without leaving your room.
A few house rules for watching wildlife
We're in a protected natural area, and wildlife is part of daily life here. Please admire birds and animals from a safe distance, and don't feed or approach them. If you're hoping to photograph from above, drones aren't allowed anywhere on the property or in the airspace above it, so plan on a long lens instead.
Getting here
Santiago is about an hour north of Los Cabos International Airport on Highway 1, through desert landscape most of the way. You can rent a car at the airport, or we can arrange a private transfer if you ask between 30 days and 24 hours before your flight. Once you're here, the lagoon sets the pace more than any clock does.