Your Chance to Go Birding in Mexico with Angela - The Berd Nird!
About The Trip!
Hard Rock Hotel - Riviera Maya
Cancun/CUN/Rivera Maya - Mexico
Check in: Thursday, February 20th, 2025
Check out: Monday, February 24th, 2025
Get ready to fly high, sip strong, and let loose on the most memorable birding trip of your life! 🌴🦜
Join Angela, aka @the_berd_nird, on a winter escape to Mexico! Enjoy 4-nights at the epic Hard Rock Hotel Rivera Maya, an all-inclusive resort where you can soak up the sun, enjoy gourmet meals, and let every moment make you feel like a rockstar!
But don’t dance the night away *too* hard, because we’ve got two (2) custom, guided, birding adventures lined up! We’re talking intimate trips to Mexico’s most stunning bird habitats, where the lifers are plenty and an f-bomb is entirely appropriate when you spot that bucket-list bird.
This is the ultimate trip for the young (or young-at-heart) birder who loves spotting birds as much as they love a well-crafted cocktail.
Throw in a plush all-inclusive resort, a crew of like-minded bird lovers, and a side of cheeky fun with your host Angela, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a trip!
This ain’t your grandma’s birding trip! Are you in? 🌺
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change.
Our exact birding trips and locations may change based on group interest.
10-Days Prior to the Trip
- Group Zoom call to dive into trip details and answer all your burning questions!
- Access to a private group chat for all the pre-trip excitement (and memes…so many memes).
Thursday, February 20th, 2025
- Fly into CUN airport.
- Group transfers to the resort (roughly 60-80 minutes).
- Welcome cocktail hour to kick things off in style!
- Group dinner.
- After-party (karaoke anyone?!).
Friday, February 21st, 2025
- Group birding trip to Toh Reserve (see below for possible bird sightings). Private transportation and professional birding guide included!
- Cool off with a refreshing dip in a cenote (a natural limestone swimming pool!) after birding.
- Light breakfast and lunch provided while birding.
- Free afternoon to relax back at the resort.
- Evening at your leisure (but I’m sure this crew will get up to something…).
Saturday, February 22nd, 2025
- Free day to soak up all the resort fun! Take a swim, lounge on the beach, join a dance class—there’s no shortage of options!
- At 5:00PM, join resort staff for an eco-walk with chances to spot birds, monkeys, reptiles, and more right on the property!
- Evening and dinner at your leisure.
Sunday, February 23rd, 2025
- Group birding trip to Coba Archaeological Site (see below for possible bird sightings). Private transportation and professional birding guide included!
- Explore the Coba Mayan Ruins after birding.
- Light breakfast and lunch while birding.
- Return to the resort in the afternoon.
- Group farewell dinner and after-party to end the trip on a high note!
Monday, February 24th, 2025
- Time to head home!
- Group transfers back to the airport for your return flight are included.
Your Hosts
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Angela Schumpert
THE BERD NIRD
@the_berd_nird
Angela has been an avid birder for more than 6 years. Her passion for birds and birding lead her on a journey to create funny, informative videos on social media about her birding experiences.This mom of four and wife to an amazing supportive husband lives by the “Live, Laugh, Bird” philosophy and hopes to inspire others to have fun while they enjoy nature and appreciate what it can do for them!
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Ashley D'Aristotile
FLYWAY TRAVEL
@_flywaytravelAshley is the owner of Flyway Travel, a boutique travel agency specializing in unique trips like this one!
Ashley inherited the birding gene from her grandfather and has been a birder since childhood. She has recently checked lifers off her list on birding trips to Italy, Honduras, and Alaska!
What’s Included?
Luxury Accommodations: A 4 night stay in stylish, rock-inspired rooms featuring plush beds, private balconies, and modern amenities. All rooms are in the Heaven Adults Only Area!
All-Inclusive Dining: Indulge in unlimited gourmet meals at a variety of restaurants, from casual bites to upscale dining.
Premium Drinks: Enjoy top-shelf spirits, cocktails, and beverages at multiple bars and lounges.
24/7 Room Service: Satisfy your cravings anytime with round-the-clock room service.
Pools & Private Beach: Lounge by stunning pools or take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the resort’s exclusive beach. This resort has a unique cove-style beach which protects it from the worst of the sea-grass!
Entertainment & Live Music: Catch live performances, DJ sets, and themed parties—there’s always something happening.
Rock Spa® & Hydrotherapy: Relax and rejuvenate with world-class treatments at the Rock Spa®, including access to hydrotherapy pools (additional cost apply).
Fitness Center & Classes: Stay active with a state-of-the-art gym, plus yoga, Pilates, and dance classes.
Eco Tours & Nature Walks: Explore the resort’s natural beauty with guided eco walks and wildlife spotting opportunities.
Kayaking & Snorkel Rentals: Enjoy the resort’s natural cove beach with kayak rentals and snorkel gear included!
Unlimited Wi-Fi: Stay connected with free high-speed internet throughout the resort.
Airport Transfers: Group airport transfers are included, as long as you arrive between 9:00AM and 3:00PM on February 21st, and depart between 9:00AM and 4:00PM on February 25th.
Restaurant Options
Faro Gastro Market (upscale buffet)
Pizzeto (pasta and pizza)
Zen (sushi and teppanyaki)
Toro (steakhouse)
La Isla (casual burgers)
Petit Cochon (French)
Ciao (Italian)
Wai (upscale Thai)
Umo (regional Mexican)
Bar Options
Jigger + Shaker (curated cocktails)
Cafetto (coffee shop)
Float and Dive (pool bars)
Sun (lobby bar)
Club Heaven (adults only nightclub)
+ A stocked minibar in every room!
Other Unique Amenities & Experiences
Reserve guitars and record players to rock out during your stay!
Water park and water slides for adults!
Kayaking and snorkeling gear rental included!
Exciting activities like a trampoline park, bowling alley, golf, and laser tag (additional cost apply).
What’s Extra?
Flights: Please budget $150-$500 additional per person for your flights, depending on your origin airport.
Resort Staff Gratuities: Our resort staff works hard to make sure we have a great trip, so make sure to bring some cash to show your appreciation (U.S. dollars are fine!).
VisiTAX: This tax is charged directly by the state of Quintana Roo and helps fund infrastructure in the area and preserve it’s natural resources. The tax is currently $20.99 per person. It must be paid before you arrive (details will be provided on our pre-trip call).
Certain Optional Resort Activities: The resort charges a fee for some extra, optional activities like the spa, laser tag, and the trampoline park. Everything else is included!
Room Types & Prices
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Deluxe Gold
482 FT²
Consider this room your all-access pass to club awesome. So kick things off in style and never look back with one King bed or two Queen beds. These rooms feature views of the property and gardens, a private hydro tub, and include a terrace hammock for lounging.
All rooms are in the adults-only area of the resort.
Single Occupancy (solo trip): $2,492 + flights
Double Occupancy (2 people sharing): $1,350 per person + flights
Triple Occupancy (3 people sharing): $1,216 per person + flights
"Double occupancy" means 2 people sharing and can be your choice of a King bed or 2 Queens
"Triple Occupancy" means 2 people are sharing a Queen bed + 1 person gets their own Queen bed. This is the only room type that can accommodate 3 people.
Roll-away beds and pull-out couches are not available at this resort! -
Diamond King
482 FT²
Hard Rock is more than a vacation — it’s a lifestyle. And to prove it, we’ve packed these legendary digs with non-stop extras and no-limit luxury.
These rooms feature views of the pool and may have a partial ocean view. They include a terrace hammock for lounging and a private hydro tub. You'll also receive a complimentary beach bag!
All rooms are in the adults-only area of the resort.
Single Occupancy (solo trip): $2,583 + flights
Double Occupancy (2 people sharing): $1,396 per person + flights
Note these rooms only have a King Bed - if you're traveling with a friend be ready to get cozy!
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Deluxe Swim-Up
482 FT²
Let’s take things up a notch with a swim-up pool and legendary digs packed with non-stop extras and no-limit luxury.
These rooms have their own swim up pool with deluxe lounge chairs and feature views of the resort and main pool area. They include a private hydro tub and a complimentary beach bag.
All rooms are in the adults-only area of the resort.
Single Occupancy (solo trip): $3,016 + flights
Double Occupancy (2 people sharing): $1,612 per person + flights
Note these rooms only have a King Bed - if you're traveling with a friend be ready to get cozy!
Birding Package!
We know that there’s some of y’all who don’t want to wake up at 6:00AM to look at birds, so for you, we’ve priced the Birding Package separately.
If you don’t want to bird, you’ll just pay the price above (see the room types). You’ll still get to enjoy the resort, group resort activities, dinner, and drinking!
But if you’re cool, you can purchase this add-on!
Birding Package Includes:
2 custom, guided birding trips
Private group transfers to the birding sites in air conditioned transportation
Light breakfast and lunch in the field
Post-birding activities (cenote dip and Coba ruins)
Use of binoculars if you don’t have your own
All tips for the drivers and guides included
A bird themed gift bag at the cocktail party
Price per person: $300
Possible Bird Sightings
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
Mangrove Cuckoo, Squirrel Cuckoo, Groove-billed Ani
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
White-crowned Pigeon, Ruddy Ground Dove, White-tipped Dove
Psittacidae (Parrots)
Yucatan Parrot, Olive-throated Parakeet, White-fronted Parrot
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Momotidae (Motmots)
Turquoise-browed Motmot, Lesson's Motmot, Blue-crowned Motmot
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
Collared Aracari, Keel-billed Toucan, Emerald Toucanet
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
Yucatan Woodpecker, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Lineated Woodpecker
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, Ruddy Woodcreeper, Northern Barred Woodcreeper
Thamnophilidae (Antbirds)
Barred Antshrike, Dusky Antbird, Great Antshrike
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
Yucatan Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Vermilion Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee
Vireonidae (Vireos)
Mangrove Vireo, Yellow-green Vireo, White-eyed Vireo
Corvidae (Crows and Jays)
Yucatan Jay, Green Jay, Brown Jay
Icteridae (Blackbirds, Orioles, and Allies)
Orange Oriole, Melodious Blackbird, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Montezuma Oropendola
Fringillidae (Finches)
Yellow-faced Grassquit, Black-headed Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch
Thraupidae (Tanagers)
Blue-gray Tanager, Gray-headed Tanager, Crimson-collared Tanager
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
Black-and-white Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Yellow Warbler, American Redstart
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Painted Bunting, Indigo Bunting, Northern Cardinal
Deposit + Important Dates
Initial Deposit - Due at the time of booking: $300 per person for the resort
Birding Package Deposit: +$100 per person additional deposit if you’re adding the Birding Package
Final Balance Due: December 18th, 2024
✨ You can make monthly payments! ✨
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Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel, please let Ashley/Flyway Travel know as soon as possible.
If you cancel after you’ve paid your deposit, the following terms will apply:
• 91 days or more prior to scheduled arrival no penalties apply and your deposit will be refunded, minus a $50 processing fee.
• Between 90 - 61 days prior to scheduled arrival, your deposit is non-refundable. If you paid for the Birding Package, it will be also refunded, minus a $50 processing fee.
• Between 60 - 31 days prior to scheduled arrival, 50% of the total room revenue will be charged. The Birding Package is non-refundable after 60 days.
• Between 30 - 0 days prior to scheduled arrival, 100% of the total room revenue will be charged and the Birding Package is non-refundable.
Ready to Book?
If you’re ready to go, fill out the form below and we will be in touch within 24 hours to confirm your spot!
FAQ’s
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This is the ultimate trip for the young (or young-at-heart) birder who loves spotting birds as much as they love a well-crafted cocktail.
We’re talking intimate trips to Mexico’s most stunning bird habitats, where the lifers are plenty and an f-bomb is entirely appropriate when you spot that bucket-list bird.
Throw in a plush all-inclusive resort, a crew of like-minded bird lovers, and a side of irreverent fun with your host, Angela, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a trip! -
Check In: Thursday, February 20th
Check Out: Monday, February 24th
Please see the top of this page for a detailed, day-by-day, itinerary.
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The prices above include 4-nights in your selected room, all-inclusive unlimited dining and top-shelf drinks, group airport transfers, a welcome cocktail party, resort entertainment, use of the pools and beach, water slides, and eco walks.
Additionally, your cost includes access to Angela's private group chat, and a group call before the trip to go over all of the details.
The Birding Package is an additional +$300 per person and includes 2 private birding trips just for us (one on Friday and one on Sunday), private transportation, a visit to a Mexican cenote for swimming, a tour of the Coba Mayan Ruins, light breakfast and lunch each day, tips for the drivers and guides, use of binoculars if you need them, and a fun Berd Nird themed gift bag!
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If you plan to bird, you will need to include the Birding Package at +$300 per person
Other things to budget for include your flight to Mexico, the $20.99 VisiTAX tourist tax, tips for the resort staff, and any optional activities you want to do like the spa and laser tag.
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We have space for up to 22 birders on the birding trips and an unlimited number of non-birders at the resort!
Note that for the birding trip, we will be split into two smaller groups, so we don't scare the birds with a big pack of people!
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No - your flights are additional.
Please budget between $150-$500 for your flights, depending on your home airport.
Plan to arrive between 9:00AM - 3:00PM on Thursday, February 20th, and depart between 10:00AM - 4:00PM on Monday, February 24th.
You MUST fly into Cancun (CUN) airport!
NOT Tulum (TQO)!
NOT Cozumel (CZM)!Ashley/Flyway Travel can assist with booking your flights if you need help.
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Yes - if you need assistance with your flights just let Ashley know during the booking process.
Flight costs are additional.
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Not on this trip! Leave them home!
You must be 18 to join this trip! -
Get new friends.
But seriously, we understand not everyone wants to wake up early and go look at birds. They are welcome to enjoy the resort while you bird, and will be invited to our cocktail hour and group dinners.
Birding activities are priced separately (+$300 per person - see Birding Addon section above) -
Cancun is a safe destination for travelers, with well-established tourist zones and increased security measures throughout the area.
Our resort has its own security and only authorized personal and guests are allowed on the property.
We will be birding in protected eco-parks and using safe, vetted companies for all transfers.
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Yes - a valid (unexpired) passport is required.
Your passport must be valid for the entire length of your trip. At least 6 months validity is highly recommended.
If you don't have a passport, apply for one now! It's very easy and the processing times are at historic lows! You can usually get your passport in under 3 months.
If you are traveling with a non-U.S. passport, please check Mexico's entry/exit requirements for your country and any visa requirements before you book.
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No problem - just let Ashley know during the booking process!
All restaurants have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items on the menu.Hard Rock Hotel Rivera Maya has one of the most comprehensive allergy programs in the biz... All menus have detailed descriptions and the staff can assist with any dietary needs!
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Most needs can be accommodated - please email ashley@flyway-travel.com with any specific questions before you book.
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If you book these same dates with the resort directly, your credit card company, Costco, or with another Travel Agency, you will not be considered part of the group and cannot participate in any group activities.
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Please email Ashley at ashley@flyway-travel.com.
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