Cesar Birding Special — 12-Day Small-Group Birding Tour
A twelve-day small-group circuit combining western Cuban birds, La Turba, La Salina and Bermeja with Najasa and two northern cays, capped at twelve travelers.
About this tour
Cesar Birding Special is a twelve-day small-group journey with an extra field day in Zapata and a maximum of twelve travelers. The circuit begins in Havana, heads west to San Diego de los Baños and Las Terrazas, then follows Cuba’s endemic-bird route through Zapata, Camagüey and Najasa to Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo.
Four consecutive itinerary days are devoted to distinct Zapata birding areas. La Turba combines marsh searching with a visit to the privately run Bee Hummingbird’s House and the Soplillar trail. At La Salina, the focus turns to feeding waterbirds: flamingos, egrets, ducks and shorebirds, with Wood Stork and Roseate Spoonbill among the possibilities. An afternoon outing follows lunch at the lodging. Bermeja brings the group back to palms, scrub and Cuban specialties such as the tody, trogon, parakeet and endemic owls.
The route continues after another morning of birding, using Camagüey as the link to Najasa. Here the guides look for parrots, pigeons, Palm Crow and possible Gundlach’s Hawk before moving to Morón. Two days on the northern cays contrast Cayo Coco’s woodland and lagoons with Cayo Guillermo’s coastal vegetation and mangroves. Cuban Gnatcatcher and Oriente Warbler are among the birds sought, while flamingos and other waterbirds broaden the field experience. Bird sightings depend on conditions and are never assured.
Eleven nights in family-run casas particulares accompany the journey. Rooms have an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning and hot water. The group travels together in air-conditioned vehicles with local English-speaking guiding; scheduled entries, breakfast and lunch are included, while dinners and flights are outside the package. Published departures are priced per person on shared-room occupancy, with a one-time single-room supplement for travelers taking a room alone. The final road day includes birding breaks on the way to Havana, followed by the airport transfer on day twelve.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Cuba.
Birds you can spot
Phoenicopterus ruber
target
Mimus gundlachii
target
Margarobyas lawrencii
target
Mellisuga helenae
target
Rallus crepitans
target
Buteogallus gundlachii
target
Melopyrrha nigra
target
Polioptila lembeyei
target
Phonipara canora
target
Antrostomus cubanensis
target
Psittacara euops
target
Glaucidium siju
target
Myadestes elisabeth
target
Todus multicolor
target
Priotelus temnurus
target
Colaptes fernandinae
target
Astur gundlachi
target
Coccyzus minor
target
Setophaga pityophila
target
Teretistris fornsi
target
Patagioenas inornata
target
Agelaius assimilis
target
Platalea ajaja
target
Asio stygius
target
Vireo crassirostris
target
Dendrocygna arborea
target
Spindalis zena
target
Mycteria americana
target
Torreornis inexpectata
target
Ferminia cerverai
target
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Havana
Your small-group journey starts with an airport welcome from Cuba 360 and a transfer to your accommodation. Settle in before heading west the following day.
Day 2
Birding in Pinar del Río
After breakfast, travel toward San Diego de los Baños, stopping to watch birds en route. Western Cuba’s birding possibilities include Cuban Solitaire, Olive-capped Warbler, Giant Kingbird, Fernandina’s Flicker and Cuban Grassquit, with the local guides also looking for raptors and owls.
Day 3
Sierra del Rosario and Zapata
Make Las Terrazas the first birding stop of the day, in the Sierra del Rosario mountains. Look for Stygian Owl, Cuban Pygmy Owl, Cuban Grassquit and Fernandina’s Flicker before continuing into Zapata’s wetland country.
Day 4
La Turba marsh and the hummingbird refuge
Combine La Turba’s marsh habitat with the Bee Hummingbird’s House, a small private refuge offering opportunities to watch Bee Hummingbird. Visit the Soplillar trail as well, searching for nightjars, owls and flickers; the day’s marsh targets include Zapata Wren, Zapata Sparrow and Red-shouldered Blackbird.
Day 5
La Salina waterbirds
Devote the morning to the feeding waters of La Salina, looking for flamingos, egrets, ducks and shorebirds. Cuban Black Hawk, Wood Stork and Roseate Spoonbill are also among the possibilities. Return to the lodging for lunch, then head back into the field after 3:30 pm to revisit missed species or improve earlier views.
Day 6
Endemics at Bermeja
Search Bermeja’s palm-dotted open ground and scrub north of Playa Girón. This session concentrates on Cuban specialties such as Cuban Trogon, Cuban Tody, Cuban Parakeet, Fernandina’s Flicker, Cuban Nightjar and the endemic owls, with Bee Hummingbird also sought.
Day 7
From Zapata to Camagüey
There is another morning for birds before the group sets out for Camagüey in the afternoon. This transfer links the wetland section with the next stage around Najasa and the northern keys.
Day 8
Najasa and the move to Morón
Visit Najasa to search for Cuban Parrot, Plain Pigeon and Palm Crow, keeping an eye out for the elusive Gundlach’s Hawk. Lunch is followed by the journey to Morón, which places the group within reach of the cays.
Day 9
Forest and coastal birding on Cayo Coco
Explore the mix of semideciduous forest, mangroves, scrub and lagoons on Cayo Coco. The search includes Cuban Gnatcatcher, Oriente Warbler, Western Spindalis, Cuban Bullfinch and the cay’s Zapata Sparrow form, with flamingos and waders adding to the coastal birding.
Day 10
Cayo Guillermo specialties
Continue the cay birding in Cayo Guillermo’s mangroves and sandy shoreline vegetation. Possible birds include Thick-billed Vireo, Mangrove Cuckoo, Clapper Rail, West Indian Whistling Duck and Cuban Gnatcatcher; the rare Bahama Mockingbird is another species to look for.
Day 11
Birding stops toward Havana
Leave the northern-cay area and travel to Havana. Planned birding breaks punctuate the return drive.
Day 12
Farewell transfer
The final day is reserved for the transfer to Havana’s international airport. The tour ends after eleven nights in Cuba.
Locations & map
- Havana - Cuba
- San Diego de los Baños - Cuba
- Las Terrazas - Cuba
- Zapata Swamp - Cuba
- Camagüey - Cuba
- Najasa - Cuba
- Morón - Cuba
- Cayo Coco - Cuba
- Cayo Guillermo - Cuba
Availability & pricing
Availability is confirmed after your inquiry.
Transport & stays
- Air-conditioned vehicle Shared with the booked small group, maximum twelve guests.
Accommodations
- Casas particulares
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.