Wildlife Species of Mexico

Mexico is rich in wildlife species resulting from its range of ecosystems and habitats that include lowland tropical rainforest, temperate desert, montane forest and alpine tundra. It boasts over 800 species of reptiles and over 500 species of mammals and the highest number of rodent species in the world.

Mammals

Mammal species found in Mexico include opossums, manatees (fully aquatic herbivorous mammals), armadillos, sloths, anteaters, tamanduas, howler and spider monkeys, porcupines, agoutis, pacas, squirrels, chipmunks, beavers, gophers, prairie dogs, tapirs, kangaroo rats, voles, shrews, bats, whales and dolphins. Amongst the carnivores are ocelots, pumas, Mexican wolves and Mexico’s national mammal, the jaguar.

Birds

Mexico’s national bird is the golden eagle. Mexico is also home to albatrosses, tropicbirds, boobies, frigatebirds, snake-birds, pelicans, flamingos, vultures, macaws, parakeets, owls, hummingbirds, toucans, trogons, flycatchers and the tinamou amongst countless others.

Reptiles

The national reptile of Mexico is the green turtle with seven of the eight sea turtles of the world living and breeding in Mexico. The country is home to numerous species of lizards, four species of crocodiles and over 380 species of snakes. The Yucatan Peninsula alone boasts over 180 species of reptiles and amphibians.

Are you interested in spotting all of the various wildlife species in Mexico? Chimu Adventures offers tours to South America and Central America as well as tailor-made packages. Click here for more information.

Waterproof boots and jackets

Skip the thick woolly thermal onesies – We understand that cunning-you wants to invest in a Norwegian-made woollen thermal onesie made for winter sailing but aside from the fact that no one wants to look like an overgrown Teletubbie, wearing thick woollen thermal wear is actually counterproductive on an Antarctica cruise, for several reasons. First of all, temps on the Antarctic Peninsula in mid-summer can easily reach 5C (or -5 at the beginning or end of season) hardly cold enough for that kind of bulky thermal wear and, coupled with lots of physical movement on your part (boarding and alighting Zodiacs and on-land hikes), you’ll find yourself overheating in no time.

A one-piece thermal suit is just about impossible to remove quickly (and decently in public), and that’s where layering your clothing really pays off. You need to remover a sweater? Done in 2 minutes. Get completely undressed so you can remove your thick woollen long-johns? Not so fast…

Layer up! – The most essential aspect of packing to Antarctica is ensuring you have layers which can easily be worn simultaneously. This is, by far, the best course of action. Given the unpredictability of the weather, you can be cold and warm and then a bit too warm and then very cold, all in just a couple of hours. Layers are the only thing that’ll help you cope with that.

But not too bulky! – By the time you board your Zodiac, you will ideally be wearing three or four layers of clothing. If your layers are too bulky, it’s easy to imagine how difficult movement might be. Being agile is a must on Antarctica cruises, so make sure layers work together to keep you warm whilst still allowing for full-body movements.

Except for socks: those should be thick, woollen and plentiful – ‘You can’t have too many pairs of socks’, most Antarctica travel experts will tell you and for very good reasons. There is arguably nothing worse on Antarctica excursions than getting your socks soaking wet and not having a clean, warm pair to change into. Moreover, the gumboots you’ll be given onboard your expedition ship aren’t insulated so your socks will have to be extra warm. Pack plenty of woolly socks and always keep a spare pair in a ziplock bag, in your daypack, whenever you head off the ship.

 

Underwear & Don’t leave home without them!

Earplugs– Especially if you’re a light sleeper – expedition ships can be noisy environments as interior walls are not all that soundproof

Cargo pants– Cargos and tracksuit pants are great options to be worn under your wet-weather gear. We find jeans a little too restrictive, although any pair of comfortable walking pants will do. Fight the urge to take stretchy pants, however, as you’ll want plenty of air pockets in all your layers to allow for better insulation

L/Sleeve tops– 3 x tops should do the trick on a two-week expedition cruise

Polar fleece zip-jacket– That divine warm layer between your long-sleeve top and your parka

Warm, slim-fitting parka– Considering you’ll have wet-weather outer layers, your parka need not be waterproof. It should be warm (lined) but not too bulky. You’ll be doing a lot of moving in and out of Zodiacs, so you need to be comfortable and not restricted a-la-Michelin man

Thin thermal pants and top– Warm undergarments are great as they take up little space but can add quite a few degrees of warmth

A tight-fitting beanie, scarf & gloves –Ideally, you should wear two pairs of gloves: a thin pair with which you can operate your camera and get things out of your day-pack, and an outer waterproof pair that’s thick and warm and will keep your hands dry if you accidentally end up face-palming the ice. It’s been known to happen. A woolly beanie is a godsend, and one with ear flaps particularly so, even if your outer jacket has a hoodie. A woolly scarf is invaluable to keep your neck warm.

Binoculars– Binoculars are fantastic to have when wildlife spotting from the ship’s viewing terraces. Although many wildlife encounters are up-close in Antarctica, some will not be. It pays to have a pair of binoculars even just to be the first to yell ‘thar she blows!”

Zip-lock bags– Small and medium-size to keep all your bits and bobs dry

Medication– Whatever your usual medication is, as well as Ibuprofen, Aspirin and sea-sickness tablets (just in case)

Pack a spare pair of sunglasses/reading glasses– Trust us on this: even if you’ve never sat on a pair of glasses in your entire life, chances you will do so in the one place on earth where you can’t get a replacement, are huge. It’s Murphy’s Law.  Play it safe and bring spares

Camera Equipment – Decided what to take? Now don’t forget to pack it!

Extra SD cards and batteries – Don’t hold back, the penguins and sea lions aren’t shy! You will be taking infinitely more photos than you may imagine, so always have spare cards and batteries in your daypack and make sure to recharge everything at night

Books, crossword puzzles, media device – There will always be plenty of time to chill out and unwind on Antarctica cruises so packing some light personal entertainment is a really good idea

Heavy-duty water bottle– One that doesn’t weigh a ton

This Insider’s Guide To Honduras

Honduras, although not the most popular of Central America’s countries, is an absolute diamond in the rough. Its fantastic culture, history and world-class natural beauty stunts visitors from all over the world. Its beaches, wildlife reserves and Maya ruins are second to non, and the vibrant traditions of the native people will truly dazzle you.

Avid snorkelers and beach bums alike will fall in love with the Bay Islands, while the foodies amongst you will thoroughly enjoy the fusions of flavours in Honduran cuisine. Honduras has warm and fairly dry weather all year round, and each season brings with it new and exciting possibilities. There’s truly something for everyone in this magical country, and we’ll tell you all about it in this Insider’s guide to Honduras.

Weather

Honduras has a rather tropical weather system, just without that pesky humidity. The rainy season tends to hit the coastal areas from October through to February, but inland, the weather stays mostly dry. Summer comes around from March to April, where you will find the whole country is extremely hot and dry, with temperatures soaring to 35°C.

The Bay Islands have a more Caribbean climate than the rest of the country, and the best time to visit is from March to September. During this time, the temperatures are cooler, and there are very few rainy days. If you are looking to visit Honduras for the Whale Shark season, then visit during June to September, this is when the magnificent animals are most abundant.

Food

Honduran cuisine is a marvellous mix of indigenous, Lenca flavours, Spanish flare, Caribbean spice and African influences. Coconut and coconut milk is used in almost everything, from savoury meat dishes, to sweet pastries and cakes.

Regional specialties include fried fish with pickled onions and jalepiños, hot tamales, meat roasted with Chismol, carne asada, and the most famous dish, baleadas. Baleadas are an extra thick corn tortilla, filled with fried beans, crumbled cheese and crema.

The Hondurans are also crazy about their soups. They eat them in winter to warm up, and in summer to regulate body temperature and cool down. Some of the most popular soups are; mondongo soup, made with tripe, searing seafood soup, beef soup and bean soup. All of which are made from scratch, in the true Honduran way.

Eat local

Although Honduras is cheap compared to most places in Central America, the country has become savvy to the world of tourism. Many of the restaurants and bars in the popular areas have raised their prices to a surprising high, but the smaller restaurants keep their prices low for the locals.

Don’t throw things

It’s a cultural offence to pass something to someone by throwing it. Honduran people are very tactile, and always pass items from hand to hand. They see the gesture of throwing something as an insult, as they reserve this act only for the dogs in the street.

Carry small bills

Using large bills, such as 100 or 500 Lempiras in smaller shops is extremely rude to the owner, as you are asking him to have change that’s equivalent to his weekly wage on hand. Be sure to carry small bills when shopping in very rural or local areas to avoid this.

 

The climate in Antarctica

What should you pack for an exhilarating adventure to the end of the world? Read on to find out!

Putting together your essential packing list for Antarctica may seem to be an overwhelming task at first and can certainly take all the romance out of the anticipation of your soon-to-be ‘trip of a lifetime’. We’d love to tell you to ‘chill right out’ (pun totally intended): preparing for an adventure expedition to the ends of the world isn’t all that difficult, especially when you have a packing guru (that would be us) guiding you all the way to our southern frozen frontiers.

Before we divulge our essential Antarctica packing list, we’d love to share some insider info that we think you’ll find very useful. For, as they say, knowledge is half the packing-war won!

Your climate enemy in Antarctica is not the cold…it’s the wind – At the height of the Austral summer, Antarctica won’t be nearly as cold as you may imagine; at least, not the kind of eyeball-freezing-cold you’re probably dreading.

If you’ve ever spent a white winter in Europe or a week skiing in Thredbo in July or hey, maybe you live in Canada, you will inarguably have experienced colder temps. Low temps aren’t really an issue if you’re properly dressed (more on what to wear below) yet freezing winds can undo all the good layering if you allow for too much skin exposure. Your #1 priority when exploring Antarctica is to be protected from the wind, first and foremost.

The climate in Antarctica is CRAZY unpredictable – Much like onions, guests aboard Antarctica expedition ships can often be seen shedding and reapplying layers every ten minutes, all thanks to the unpredictable and erratic climate this far south. Being prepared for all eventualities is the key to enjoying an on-land excursion in Antarctica, where you’ll be far from the comfort of your ship’s heated indoors. No matter what the day looks like as you disembark, expect the weather to change suddenly. Be a clever packing ninja, and you’ll be just fine.

Watch out for water spray, it can be brutal – The seas have a lovely mitigating effect on temperatures so you’ll never be as cold cruising Antarctica’s coast as if you were in the heart of the continent, near the South Pole.

 

Passengers in AntarcticaPassengers in Antarctica

Sunglasses will protect you from the overwhelming glare – Ever heard of snow blindness? It’s a real thing, and it totally sucks. Protect your eyes against the incredible glare which reflects off the ice in Antarctica. A pair of wraparound UV-protected sunglasses is the best choice.

Consider your camera equipment carefully – Not everyone who cruises to Antarctica is a budding photographer but, once there, everyone wishes they were. The only mistake many make, however, is taking far too much camera equipment, most of which ends up weighing far too much. Keeping your daypack light is essential, so we suggest you take a good-quality DSLR with interchangeable lenses for both landscape and close-up photography. Consider a hood for your viewfinder (the glare can make it impossible to see otherwise) and, if you’re not too confident, just make sure your camera has an ‘auto’ function.

Taking a tripod? Make sure it folds to nothing and weighs like a feather. Check out these 14 Wildlife Photography Tips from an expert before heading to Antarctica and, if you don’t want to deal with any of that, do note that late-model smartphones can take some seriously wicked photos in Antarctica. See this Conde Nast Traveller article for other cool stuff you need not worry about.

Choose a small, waterproof daypack – You’ll need a daypack for day-long outings so you can carry your water, sunscreen, extra camera batteries, spare socks etc BUT it should be small, compact, and waterproof. A daypack should never be heavy, certainly not heavy enough that it affects your posture. Keep it light and supple and it’ll save you much back-ache.

Passenger in AntarcticaPacking the essentials is crucial to enjoying every moment on the White Continent

Consider using a cold-weather moisturiser on your trip – If you’ve lived or travelled to cold countries before, you may be familiar with ‘cold creams’ which are moisturisers specifically designed to not freeze on your skin in very cold temps. If you have dry or particularly sensitive skin, these can be a godsend on Antarctica cruises.

Now that we have the most important tidbits of info out of the way and you understand the basics that’ll make your life easy and comfortable on an Antarctica cruise adventure trip, you can move on to your essential Antarctica packing list.

 

Nicaragua

We’re almost finished with our tour of the best snorkel sites in Central America, but we still have a couple of countries left to explore. In today’s post we’re looking at one of the most diverse countries in terms of snorkelling sites, Nicaragua. With its access to two completely different seas, its fresh water lakes, and its stellar reputation for water sports, you know that the best snorkel sites in Nicaragua are going to be something special.

Corn Islands

Probably the most popular snorkel site in Nicaragua is the tropical Corn Islands. The larger island boasts an amazing coral reef with some outstanding marine life, but the true magic comes when you snorkel off the smaller island, Little Corn.

The Atlantic side of this cute little island has over 12 kilometres of reef just meters from its shore. In this vibrant collection of coral you can find spectacularly diverse wildlife. Rays, groupers, sharks, eels, damselfish and African pompano are sighted on a regular basis. There are certified dive ad snorkel shops on both islands, where you can rent any equipment you may need for your snorkel adventure.

La Flor

This picture perfect beach can be found on the Pacific side of the ever popular San Juan del Sur. La Flor doesn’t just have virgin beaches, turquoise waters and palm tree-lined shores, it’s also home to some amazing sea life! Being primarily a surfing beach, the waves make snorkelling close to the shore rather difficult. The surfers and waves also churn up a lot of sand, making visibility very low. However, if you persevere through the initial waves, or if you take out a boat to the deeper waters, you will be rewarded with a colourful underwater dream world.

As the reefs in this area are purely volcanic rock and not coral, you can see some extremely unusual wildlife. Wrasses, snappers, giant surgeonfish, starfish, scorpion fish and even a few octopi call this unique black reef home.

La Flor is also a turtle nesting zone, and some turtle species are present in the waters all year round. If you’re visiting Nicaragua between October and December, then you can see the amazing turtle migration, where thousands of turtles all enter La Flor beach.

Lake Xiloá

If you fancy a little break from your salty snorkel adventures, then you can head on over to one of the freshwater crater lakes created by the impressive Apoyeque volcano. Nicaragua has two main volcanic crater lakes, Apoyo and Xiloá. Although Apoyo has some amazing endemic cichlid fish species, it’s no where near as interesting or easily accessible as the vibrant lake Xiloá.

During the months of November and December, you can see thousands of incredibly bright and colourful fish species in Lake Xiolá, 10 of which are still undescribed species. What makes this lake even more appealing, is that it’s only a short drive away from Managua, making it the perfect place for a unique snorkelling day out.

Pearl Cays

The stunning Pearl Cays are an archipelago containing 22 colourful coral cays. This protected area is the stuff of tropical dreams, with the white sand beaches, glistening warm water and shady palm trees, you will be snorkelling in absolute paradise. Getting to the Pearl Cays requires a leisurely boat trip from Pearl Lagoon, but the views make the journey worth it. You can see playful dolphins diving along side the boat, the coral rubble rushing by below and the picturesque islands growing in the distance.

Due to the extremely calm and clear water, this area is perfect for both the avid snorkeler and the absolute beginner. Expect to see giant green sea turtles, starfish, nurse sharks, parrot fish and manta rays swimming along as you explore this amazing underwater world. The coral rubble also provides the ideal habitat for some interesting invertebrates. Giant conch, anemones, sea cucumbers and sea fans are very abundant in the Pearl Cays.

Insider’s guide to Honduras

Honduras, although not the most popular of Central America’s countries, is an absolute diamond in the rough. Its fantastic culture, history and world-class natural beauty stunts visitors from all over the world. Its beaches, wildlife reserves and Maya ruins are second to non, and the vibrant traditions of the native people will truly dazzle you.

Avid snorkelers and beach bums alike will fall in love with the Bay Islands, while the foodies amongst you will thoroughly enjoy the fusions of flavours in Honduran cuisine. Honduras has warm and fairly dry weather all year round, and each season brings with it new and exciting possibilities. There’s truly something for everyone in this magical country, and we’ll tell you all about it in this Insider’s guide to Honduras.

Roatán

Roatán, the largest of the Bay Islands, was once a secret gem of Honduras. But thanks to the many curious tourists and cruise companies, it’s now one of the most popular vacation spots in the country. Its beaches are everything you would expect from a tropical paradise; white sands, glittering turquoise water and swaying palm trees. Roatán’s shores are also lined with flourishing coral reefs, that are teeming with vibrant sea life. Many people flock to this island for its amazing snorkel, diving and deep-sea fishing opportunities.

Copán Ruins

Copán was home to one of the most important Maya civilisations that ever lived. They thrived in this beautiful area from 250 – 900 AD, and built some remarkable structures, sculptures and even hieroglyphics.

Although the Copán Ruins are only a 1km walk outside of Copán, have a gift shop, visitor centre and sculpture museum, very few people actually visit this UNESCO World Heritage site, so you can walk among the haunting structures virtually alone. Anyone with an interest in history, archeology, or just a lust to know more about a country you’re visiting, should take a trip to the Copán Ruins.

Lago de Yojoa

The stunning Lago de Yojoa is the largest lake in Honduras, and its surroundings will leave you breathless. This spectacular lake is quickly becoming the most popular place for weary travellers to  rest when traveling in the region.

While the lake itself isn’t great for swimming, you can Zipline over it, tube across it, or take a scenic walk around it. With over 485 species of bird, lush jungle, world-class hiking trails and waterfalls galore, this is one of the best places to ‘get back to nature’ in all of Honduras.

Comayagua Street Carpets

If you’re visiting Honduras during the Easter break, then this is one of the most culturally unusual and stunning traditions you absolutely must see. Honduras is the only country in the world to create these magnificent carpets, and they really do it in style.

In the quiet village of Comayagua, the locals rush out to the street, and create these vibrant, multicoloured carpets out of rice, sawdust, flower petals, and other natural materials. They are made to depict the actions and life of Jesus, but even the non religious visitors will be blown away by their beauty.

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve

This 350,000 hectares UNESCO reserve is the largest protected area in the entire country. The Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve is one of the only tropical rainforests left in Central America, and is home to over 2,000 indigenous people. If you’re searching for a place to see an outstanding array of wildlife, then this is it. Río Plátano is home to 411 documented species of bird, 586 species of plant, 721 species of vertebrates, and half of all the mammals in Honduras. During a trek through this amazing reserve, you can see the critically endangered Mexican Spider Monkey, the West Indian Manatee, the endangered Great Green Macaw, and the near-threatened Jaguar.

Honduran Bay Islands

With over 500 miles of glistening Caribbean coastline, its close proximity to the Mesoamerican barrier reef system and crystal clear waters, Honduras gives even the best snorkel spots of Belize and the Riviera Maya a run for their money.

Although you can find many amazing snorkel sites just off the coast of the main island, the truly spectacular underwater worlds are found around the Bay Islands. Roatan, Utila and Guanaja are each surrounded by a ring of vibrant coral and a stunning array of bright, tropical fish. Scuba divers and avid snorkelers flock to the waters of Honduras, and call the Honduran Bay Islands one of the prime snorkel locations in the hemisphere.

Punta Sal National Park

Easily found on the western side of Tela, is the eco friendly Punta Sal National Park. Accessible by boat, this secluded bay is the epitome of a Caribbean paradise. With its white sands, fantastic wildlife and crystal clear water, this is the ideal place to spend a morning snorkel adventure. Simply stroll into the turquoise waves off the beach of Puerto Escondido, and enter the colourful underwater world of Punta Sal National Park.

Here you’ll not only find a stunning array or coral and interesting marine plant species, but you will also be greeted by a school of parrot fish, angelfish and even a dolphin or two!

Mary’s Place

This is one of the most popular sites in all of Honduras. Any divers or snorkelers visiting Roatan consider Mary’s Place an absolute must for a unique underwater experience. Located on the south side of the island, close to the town of Coxen Hole, this one of a kind snorkel site completely revolves around a gigantic crevice. Hidden in the depths of the ravine you can find octopi, crabs and even lobsters.

However, brave sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and friendly little groupers will pop up to the surface to say hello. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a few seahorses hopping between the rocks, or a red starfish relaxing on the sand below. With haunting black coral trees and unforgettable giant sea fans, there’s definitely no shortage of life in this unusual site.

Cayos Cochinos

When people talk about Cayos, the first thing that springs to mind is a vibrant collection of tiny coral islands, sitting in shimmering turquoise water. These islands belong to the second largest barrier reef in the world, and are an archipelago of thirteen coral cays and two beautiful volcanic islands.

Cayos Grande is the biggest of the volcanic islands, and is the only one where tourists are allowed to snorkel. You can access this snorkel paradise by boat, but as it’s classed as a biological marine reserve, you will need to take an official boat out to the island. The waters of Cayos Cochinos are teeming with exiting sea life, such as banded butterfly fish, queen conches, sea cucumbers, jellyfish, anemones and even barracuda. It does cost a few Honduran Lempira to enter this bio reserve, but the sights are definitely worth it!

Chepes Beach

This is one of the more unknown snorkel sites in Honduras. Chepes Beach is located on the coastline of Utila, and is a budget snorkelers dream. Food, accommodation and equipment rental on this island are all extremely cheap and great quality.

Amazing shallow sand flats and patch reefs can be found just a few meters from the shore, and a little further out you will find the edge of the drop-off. Here you can see some outstanding sea life! Turtles, yellow stingrays, spotted trunkfish and dolphins all call this area home. You may even have the chance to swim alongside a gigantic whale shark while exploring the waters of Chepes Beach.

Texas

This site is not one for the faint hearted! Texas, found on the most western tip of Roatan, is home to the amazing hammerhead shark. Due to its location, there is a constant supply of food brought in by the current, so schools of snappers, jacks, tangs and hammerheads are brought in daily.

Due to a huge 100 foot drop-off, there are also vast caves are dark crevices to explore. In the shadows, octopi, giant sponges, nurse sharks and lionfish hide away from the bright Caribbean sun.

You’ll Want Is To Land On Antarctica

Having said that, being splashed with water and exposed to high winds (as one usually is on a Zodiac outing) will certainly make it seem as if it’s 20 degrees colder. Transfers on Zodiacs are exhilarating and fun, yet these are the times when you’ll be at your most vulnerable. Cover up well for Zodiac transfers, no matter the conditions: the last thing you’ll want is to land on Antarctica, with soaking wet beanie, gloves or pants.

Don’t be sucked into the ‘extreme’ activewear trend – Go into a trendy outdoor shop nowadays and you’ll see all sorts of gear aimed at extreme expeditions: sleeping bags and jackets able to stand -40C temps and all sorts of gadgetry that’s guaranteed not to freeze before you do. On an Antarctica cruise, you won’t be needing any of that. Sensible warm clothing is a must, but over the top gear that weighs twice as much as you do, is not.

Good-quality waterproof outer layers are an absolute must – These are your best friends, your protectors and the items of clothing you will wear more than any other. Well, aside from underwear, perhaps.

A waterproof and windproof jacket and pair of pants are an absolute must, although you should make sure they are relatively thin and can be worn OVER your normal fleece and cargo pants/jeans. Your jacket should have a high collar to protect your neck as that’s where you’ll lose most of your body warmth. Same goes for boots: lightweight yet warm and waterproof is what you should be packing.

Do note that many Antarctica expedition ships will provide outer layers for their guests – enquire at booking and you may just shave off a few items from your packing list.

Print this out and stick it on your fridge: it’s essential Antarctica packing time!

‘Normal’ walking shoes– For the time you spend on the ship and those sightseeing days in towns before and after your cruise

Light, airy footwear– After being in boots all day, your feet will be screaming for fresh air. Flip-flops, lightweight sandals (and even Crocs!) feel divine at the end of a full day’s exploration, especially in the warmth of the heated ship’s interiors

Comfortable ‘onboard’ clothing – Casual and lightweight clothing is ideal for hours spent on the climate-controlled ship

Toiletries– Sunblock is an absolute must, as are chapstick, a nourishing moisturiser and all usual essentials you’d normally pack for a long-haul flight. Nothing more