Rio Lagartos is a charming fishing town located on the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula about two hours and forty five minutes from Tulum by car.  An area of about 150,000 acres (60,000 hectares) was declared a Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO program Man and Biosphere in 1999.  Different aquatic ecosystems are of great importance to over 280 aquatic bird species (migratory and resident) for their nourishment and reproduction.  One such species is the striking American Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber which can be admired in this reserve any time of the year.  The semi-deciduous and deciduous lowland jungle of the area are home to a great bird diversity including the endemic Yucatan Nightjar and the very localized Yucatan Wren as well as the quasi-endemic Black-throated Bobwhite and the very beautiful Mexican Sheartail hummingbird.