Puerto Vallarta has a way of reminding me that there is always something more to discover. Beyond the beaches, restaurants, and familiar routes through town, there are places that offer an entirely different experience of this beautiful region.
My recent visit to the Santuario de las Guacamayas was one of those adventures: a beautiful drive, a walk through the jungle, and the chance to watch magnificent macaws flying freely in their natural surroundings. There were also a few lessons learned along the way – starting with my unfortunate choice of insect repellent.
A Beautiful Drive to a Remarkable Place
Located in the mountains south of Puerto Vallarta, the Santuario de las Guacamayas protects the Mexican green macaw, known in Spanish as the guacamaya verde. The drive itself is part of the experience, giving you a reason to slow down and appreciate the landscape beyond the city. By the time you arrive, you are ready to pay attention to a different kind of local activity: the very vocal lives of the birds overhead.
Seeing these birds up close and then watching them take flight was absolutely incredible. There is something about witnessing an animal moving freely through its own habitat that a photograph simply cannot capture. Their color, their presence, and the sound of their calls made it impossible to think about much else. For a little while, the only thing on my agenda was looking up.
More Than Two Decades of Conservation
During our visit, we learned that efforts to care for and protect this area began in 2001, with the macaw sanctuary taking shape in 2006. Hearing that history gave the experience a depth I had not expected. What visitors see today represents years of work, dedication, and a commitment to protecting a place where wildlife can continue to thrive.
The sanctuary’s story includes Francisco Espino Ibarra and his family, whose conservation work has included installing wooden nesting boxes to help the macaws reproduce. Their efforts are part of what makes this place so special: behind the beautiful sight of birds in flight are people doing the ongoing work of protecting their future.
We were told that close to 200 macaws now call the area home. Watching them while hearing about everything that has happened here over the past two decades made that number feel meaningful. This is why I encourage anyone visiting to make sure they can understand the history being shared. The birds are wonderful to see, but the story behind the sanctuary deserves your attention, too.
Apparently, Love Is Loud
One thing I still cannot get over is how loud these birds are. They have absolutely no trouble making their presence known, and their calls became a memorable part of the visit. At one point, though, I noticed that the sounds were distinctly different from what we had been hearing. Naturally, I wanted to know what was going on.
As it turned out, a couple of the birds were having what I will politely call a romantic moment. Apparently, discretion is not a priority in macaw courtship. That discovery brought a little unexpected comedy to our jungle outing and gave me one more reason to remember the day. Nature, as always, has its own plans.
A Forest Shared With Wild Cats
Another surprise was learning about the wild cats that live in the surrounding area. We heard about ocelots, pumas, and jaguars – animals I had not fully appreciated were sharing this landscape. We did not see any during our visit, but simply learning about their presence changed the way I looked at the forest around us.
It is easy to arrive focused on the macaws and leave with a much greater appreciation for the whole habitat. The birds are the most visible – and certainly the most vocal – part of the experience, but the forest supports much more than what you might happen to spot during a single visit.
What I Wish I Had Worn
Now for the practical advice, courtesy of someone who would dress a little differently next time: wear long pants and bring effective insect repellent. I typically use a natural product that works pretty well for me around Puerto Vallarta. Out in the jungle, however, it did not do the job. The insects were thoroughly unimpressed with my usual routine. Learn from my experience and arrive better prepared.
Hiking shoes are also a good idea. I did not find the walk particularly strenuous, but it is still a hike, and visitors should be comfortable walking on a jungle trail. Wear shoes with good traction, bring drinking water, and consider your own mobility and comfort with uneven ground before heading out.
If you do not speak Spanish, arrange language support ahead of time. A bilingual companion or guide can help you appreciate the stories and explanations that make the visit so worthwhile. A phone translation app may help, but do not count on having reliable service. Downloading an offline Spanish translation option before leaving town is a sensible backup.
An Adventure Worth Leaving Town For
For anyone looking for something off the beaten path, I highly recommend exploring the Santuario de las Guacamayas. The beautiful drive, the birds in flight, and the chance to hear the history of this conservation effort made it a memorable outing. It also reminded me how much there is to experience around Puerto Vallarta when we venture beyond our usual stops.
I came away with a greater appreciation for the people protecting this habitat, a new understanding of just how noisy a macaw’s love life can be, and a firm commitment to wearing pants next time. Some adventures leave you with beautiful photographs. This one also left me with stories – and a much healthier respect for jungle insects.
You can contact them via the official Santuario de las Guacamayas Facebook page.
Have a Healthy day!
Heather
Heather Gray, FDN-P, is a master certified health practitioner, best-selling author, speaker, stand-up comedian, and host of the Renegade Health Boss podcast. A proud Puerto Vallarta resident, she shares her passion for health, resilience, and personal transformation while enjoying the adventure, community, and fresh perspective she found in Mexico.
