Laguna de Manialtepec: Our most recommended tours and activities

Puerto Escondido: Turtle Release and Bioluminescent Plankton

1. Puerto Escondido: Turtle Release and Bioluminescent Plankton

Begin your tour with pickup from your hotel lobby, then head to a preserved beach to join a local nature conservation group. Help newborn turtles reach the ocean that will be their home, and take amazing pictures of the sunset at the panoramic view of Punta Colorada. After sunset, set out on the Manialtepec lagoon under the darkness of night and marvel at a spectacular natural show. Experience the delightful reaction of millions of microorganisms beginning to illuminate as you swim. The tour concludes with drop-off back at your hotel.

Puerto Escondido: Kayak Adventure On Manialtepec Lagoon

2. Puerto Escondido: Kayak Adventure On Manialtepec Lagoon

Just 20 minutes from Puerto Escondido is the village of "Las Negras" located on the banks of the Manialtepec lagoon, where they will show you on a large map your kayak tour options, according to your skills and physical condition. You will navigate about 6 kilometers by boat to reach the appropriate place to start the tour at the Manialtepec river estuary. Following your instructor and birds watching guide, you will enter in a channel surrounded by a very dense vegetation that will take you to the “Carnero”, a place where migratory birds nest like wood storks, roseate spoonbills, cormorants, white ibises, crested caracaras, frigate birds, earwigs, plovers and a large variety of local herons. You will cross the fresh waters of the Manialtepec river that fill the lagoon with freh water, and enjoy a well-deserved rest. on the virgin beach of "Puerto Suelo". The return is done part wit the kayaks or part in the boat according to your desire. End this ride listening to the noise of the water and the sounds of the birds. If you feel like it, enjoy some very good local dishes.

Puerto Escondido: Bioluminescence Night Spectacle

3. Puerto Escondido: Bioluminescence Night Spectacle

Enjoy a pickup after sunset from your hotel lobby in Puerto Escondido. Head towards the Manialtepec lagoon in the darkness of night.  Marvel at a spectacular natural show while crossing the lagoon in a boat with the help of a local instructor. Experience the delightful reaction of how millions of microorganisms begin to illuminate the water as you swim or while you touch the water through the boat. Witness this rare event as there are only 2 lagoons in Mexico that have this spectacular and beautiful phenomenon. The color may vary from white to blue. Passing midnight and after enjoying this remarkable experience, you will be taken back to your hotel in Puerto Escondido. Subject to the lunar calendar. Observation of the phenomenon is not possible, during the full moon days.

Puerto Escondido: Kayaking in Puerto Suelo

4. Puerto Escondido: Kayaking in Puerto Suelo

After pickup from your Puerto Escondido accommodation, make your way to the beach to learn the fastest-growing water sport in the world. Drive to the picturesque area of Puerto Suelo, where you are run through a SUP tutorial and receive your life jacket.  Here you will board a small panga boat to reach the Ocean Side with a breathtaking view. From here, board the kayaks to start the adventure throughout the lagoon to observe a variety of endemic and migratory birds. After proceeding through the mangrove tunnels you will head upriver to enjoy the breathtaking views. Continue throughout the river until you reach the sandbar and return back to the kayak dock.

From Puerto Escondido: Birdwatching on a Boat

5. From Puerto Escondido: Birdwatching on a Boat

Embark on a thrilling adventure starting right from your hotel lobby in Puerto Escondido. Your destination is the beautiful Manialtepec Lagoon in 'Las Negras' town, where a boat will be waiting to take you on a scenic tour. Get ready to be amazed by the natural refuge of migratory and local birds, including wood storks, cormorants, snowy egrets, roseate spoonbills, and white ibises. As you navigate through the dense vegetation, you'll get to see different kinds of mangroves and enjoy the tranquility of the lagoon. After two hours of sailing, you'll reach the end of the lagoon, where you can witness the incredible view of the river, the sea, and the lagoon merging. Your journey continues as you sail up the Manialtepec River until you reach Puerto Suelo, a stunning beach where you can disembark for a walk, swim, or indulge in a delicious meal in the palapas. After approximately 1.5 hours of exploring this beach, you'll head back to the community on the boat. Once you reach the community, a comfortable van will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Puerto Escondido. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience the beauty of Manialtepec Lagoon and its surrounding areas!

La Crucecita: Magic Lagoon Bioluminescence and Turtles Tour

6. La Crucecita: Magic Lagoon Bioluminescence and Turtles Tour

Bioluminescence is a fascinating phenomenon where some living organisms produce light. In this experience, you will see the Manialtepec lagoon illuminated by microorganisms and the combination of fresh and saltwater. You will depart from Bahias de Huatulco to Puerto Escondido to experience the bioluminescence and release turtles at Playa Escobilla. Afterwards, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset at Playa Zicatela before heading to the Manialtepec lagoon, where you can observe the bioluminescence under ideal conditions.

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What people are saying about Laguna de Manialtepec

Overall rating

2.3 / 5

based on 7 reviews

Picked up at hotel on time. Only the 4 of us on trip. Lovely ride on lake and river seeing many different birds. Guides were really helpful and had books to show us the birds in different languages. Stopped at fishing boats who showed us their catches. Beach was huge and deserted. Massive surf. Just had a coffee and coco..not great. Superb trip, highly recommend

Un supplément de 9€50 nous a été demandé à l’entrée des jardins !?

This event is so worth going to see. Interesting and amazing