Área Natural Protegida Estero El Salado image

Área Natural Protegida Estero El Salado

Tourist attraction Nature preserve

Protected urban estuary on 169 hectares with biologist-guided boat tours of reptile & bird habitats. People often mention tour, crocodiles, boat, time, birds, natural,


Address

Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio 3544, Villa Las Flores, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

Website

esteroelsalado.com

Contact

+52 322 201 7361

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (483 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 9 AM to 3 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: tour (11) crocodiles (10) boat (9) time (8) birds (8) natural (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Anuj V. 6 months ago on Google • 3 reviews
    This place is truly amazing. Sadly they don’t get that much publicity because they closed down during covid times. But now they’re open again and tours are free (before it was 300 peso per person). (Please be sure to tip your guide as they don’t get their salaries on time and they mostly survive on tips.) It was an amazing experience, one of the best activities we did on our trip. The tour is 40 minutes, they take you on a boat on the river and the guide explains everything about mangroves and how they’re important to the ecosystem. You will get to see crocodiles, native birds’ nest and also red crabs. The number and email on the website was not working at the time of our visit, they told us that it’s an old website and they don’t get enough funds to make a proper website. They offer four tours on Tuesday to Friday (9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm) and three tours on Saturday (9am, 11am, 1pm). No reservation required you can just show up. PS: All this information is from the time we visited Puerto Vallarta in August 2023. Things might have changed be sure to check it out before you go.
    16 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 S B. 1 month ago on Google • 74 reviews New
    People wear nice the restroom facilities were extra clean very nice attitudes of the people

  • 4/5 Dianne J. 1 month ago on Google • 54 reviews New
    Didn’t get to spend much time there, but it was a great place to view a little wildlife and stretch your legs with a short and easy walk

  • 1/5 D L. 4 months ago on Google • 36 reviews
    We went with our son and his young family. The park is very rundown other than the new signs, and there were no animals, ie crocodiles, in the front of the park. The dock looked fine but the boat for the tour was broken down. There was no email feedback about our reservation request and the lack of tour availability. People there were friendly but the place needs help. Definitely not worth the time or cab fare
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Owen T. 4 weeks ago on Google • 22 reviews New
    Such a cool friendly place. I showed up today out of the blue, and the staff came and answered all kinds of questions, and showed us the cutest little croc. The mangroves are a very cool ecosystem that you have to check out if you’re here. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and was so happy I got to see it. Areas like this are getting very uncommon. The boat tour is very affordable, and fun. Thank you to the staff who met us there, and made it such a cool experience! Please don’t forget to tip your tour guides, as they do a great job of preserving the ecosystem. They take care of baby crocodiles until they are large enough to survive in the wild.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 GIXXER 4 years ago on Google
    This place is a must see. This place will give you an appreciation for the amazing creatures that are crocodiles and the importance of nature. I highly recommend seeing this place. To find the place, google maps estero el Salado and it will focus on this small reserve. The entrance is right next to the main road. Don't use the address they provide. Basically drive by the fenced area and you will see an opening to turn in.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Fernanda B. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Because #TodosLosAnimalesSonImportantes #SociedadAnimal members were at the Estero El Salado to talk to the manager Jaime Torres Biologist about how citizens can help to protect this important wetland in our #PuertoVallarta (Original) Porque #TodosLosAnimalesSonImportantes miembros de #SociedadAnimal estuvimos en el Estero El Salado para platicar con el encargado Biólogo Jaime Torres sobre cómo podemos ayudar cómo ciudadanos para proteger este importante humedal de nuestro #PuertoVallarta
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 jacqueline r. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is a protected natural area that has lost governmental support. Let us support this noble cause of caring for and protecting the animals that live there (crocodiles, different species of birds, insects, amphibians). Let's take care and respect when we go to these types of places. It is worth the cost in exchange for observing the animals in the mangrove at its maximum splendor. (Original) Es un área natural protegida que ha perdido el apoyo gubernamental. Apoyemos ésta noble causa de cuidar y proteger a los animales que ahí habitan (cocodrilos, diferentes especies de aves, insectos, anfibios). Cuidemos y respetemos cuando acudamos a este tipo de lugares. Vale la pena el costo a cambio de observar los animales en el manglar en su máximo esplendor.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Creando con Mac&Alí Gatica G. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Excellent attention, natural life, the way in which they take care of everything with detail and love of nature, I highly recommend visiting it and leaving a tip to those who serve you, they do it for the love of art (Original) Excelente la atención, la vida natural, la forma en que lo cuidan todo con detalle y amor a la naturaleza, super recomiendo visitarlo y dejar propina a los que les atienden lo hacen por amor al arte
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aldo Vazquez F. 9 months ago on Google
    La zona accesible a pie es pequeña, como es un parque estatal el acceso y el recorrido en lancha son gratuitos. Tienes que preguntar el mismo día por los horarios de los recorridos en lancha.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jonathan C. 11 months ago on Google
    This is a cool place that you should visit if you love nature and crocodiles. They’re more than just a park, it’s a conservation area and the biologist on site give a free tour (but definitely tip them) and also offer a boat tour for a price along the river. You’ll see cool birds, fish, crustaceans and crocodiles, which, they help by hatching and nurturing then until juvenile and release them back into the wild. So it’s worth a visit and you’ll be helping the conservation efforts!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Steve Edwards - S. 4 years ago on Google
    Deserving our support. This 90 minute boat ride with observation tower stop provides an up close look at nature. Go at low tide and as early as possible. Consider going as a group, book your own time. Captain Luis is very helpful.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jonathan Gonzalo Enciso S. 4 years ago on Google
    Muy divertido, educativo y conciente,a mi familia y a mi mos encanto
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Salvador A. 3 years ago on Google
    It is a natural place. Guides do not control the size or the amount of cocodriles you will be able to see. (don't be ridiculous). The work done here is amazing. It is a unique experience as well.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tom W. 4 years ago on Google
    Great little place to learn about the local wildlife and plants
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lisa C. 4 years ago on Google
    Un excelente lugar para visitar. Los guías hacen un importante trabajo de educar y crear conciencia de la flora y fauna que vive en los manglares de una manera interesante y divertido. Muy recomendable.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Victor S. 3 years ago on Google
    Great 1.5h boat tour that takes you through the mangroves and provides a lot of information about this unique habitat. You'll see crocodiles, birds and crabs. I highly recommend!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rolando C. 4 years ago on Google • 3 reviews
    This place is an amazing natural habitat located in the middle of a major tourist area. It’s definitely well worth a visit if you’re ever in Puerto Vallarta. During the tour we had an excellent explanation of the flora and fauna. During the boat tour down the river we saw serval small crocodiles, cranes and many tree crabs 🦀. Please visit and support Estero El Salado.

  • 5/5 Deborah M. 2 months ago on Google • 3 reviews New
    We had a wonderful and informative time at the estuary. My 9 yr old grandson loved the baby crocs and turtles. Our guide Cruz let him pat them. We also took the boat tour which led us into the mangrove canopy. Tons of young crocs and birds. We were able to see hundreds of birds from the tower too. Very educational and impressive.

  • 5/5 Raymond E. 6 years ago on Google
    The last surviving mangrove swamp in Puerto Vallarta. Currently protected from development. Hopefully it can be kept that way

  • 5/5 Da R. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing place, knowledgeable and friendly staff, fun for all family, specially for reptiles and birds lovers)

  • 5/5 Allan G. 6 years ago on Google
    Our guide spoke English and Spanish, and clearly knew her stuff. What a wonderful time looking for and touching the crocodiles. We really enjoyed everything here.

  • 5/5 Bill L. 4 years ago on Google
    nature at its finest

  • 3/5 Darius D. 4 years ago on Google
    An hour and thirty minutes long your with 15 other people through a Mangrove swamp. Saw maybe 5 birds and 3-4 baby Crocs. Stopped at an observation tower to see a few vultures. I expected alot more so only 3 stars.

  • 5/5 Diana I. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing!!

  • 5/5 Liam S. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful ecosystem! We need to take care of it.

  • 5/5 Alex T. 9 months ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Mom and I have wanted to check this place out for years. Glad we finally went. We learned so much and got to pet a baby crocodile. They didn’t answer their email but they are open Tuesday-Saturday. They are working to hire someone to answer emails and phones. Right now they are only having boat tours at 1pm but gave us one at 9am since we were there. We are so glad we went and will come back with our family next year.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍


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