Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula

Melongena bispinosa The Caribbean meets the Gulf of Mexico at the Yucatan, and the variety of shells to be found is wonderful. We will stay near Merida to visit the western and northern shores and Cancun exploring the eastern and northeast of the peninsula, where the shells are totally different! You will see modern, bustling tourist meccas and tiny villages where houses are built to an age-old plan dating back to Mayan times. A visit to an ancient Mayan city will cap off the trip. Besides great shells on beaches and bays we'll have exciting glimpses of flamingos, white pelicans and many other birds.

This is a beachcombing and wading trip, so there's no telling what we'll find, but in the past there have been lots of Papershell Figs, various marginellas, whelks (different than Florida's), and Chanks. Large Horse Conchs are sometimes available from fishermen, and, unique to the area is Melongena bispinosa (pictured), with its distinctive brown spot in the aperture.


Date: Oct 15-22, 2008 Prunum labiatum
For: Waders and beachcombers
Cost: $1750
Includes:
  • Air fare from Miami
  • Accommodations (d/o.)
  • Land and boat transportation
  • guide.
  • Not included: Meals, bar.
    • Deposit:
  • $600 with reservation
  • balance 6 wks before trip.
  • Proof of citizenship required.
  • Reservation Form

    • More about The Yucatan

    House built the old way There's lots of drive time to this trip - beaches are scattered and not near the towns with hotels, but the scenery is interesting and you'll be seeing women wearing their age-old native costumes, houses built to the old Mayan pattern, and colorful towns. Some interesting birds can also be glimpsed.

    We'll take a boat to the island of Holbox (pronounced HOLbosh) and shell a grass flat there as well as the beaches, and in another town we'll have a boat ride to see thousands of flamingos and many other birds.

    Temple at Chichen Itza There are many Mayan ruins on the peninsula, and we'll stop at at least one of them to get a glimpse of the past. Keep your eyes out for land shells in the area!

    At Cancun there are many vendors selling handcrafts from all over Mexico and also T-shirts and guayaberas (men's shirts). You'll have an opportunity to do lots of shopping here! But don't take the first price - this is bargaining country. I'll show you how it's done.

    Ready to go? Fill out the reservation form and send a deposit. I will send a list of items to bring about 6 weeks before the trip. You will need a passport.