Rancho Primavera
A Bird-watcher’s Paradise in the tourist-friendly Central Pacific Coast of Mexico just south of Puerto Vallarta
ABOUT THE RANCH
Rancho Primavera is a quiet retreat just 1 hour south of Puerto Vallarta, but feels world’s away from the city life. Here, you’ll be treated like family by the owners -mother and daughter team, Pat and Bonnie – who are full time residents of the ranch and enjoy entertaining and cooking for their guests. They are bilingual Americans who’ve lived in Mexico for decades and who’ve raised their children here.
In 1996, Owners Pat and Bonnie purchased this former mango and cattle ranch and proceeded to heal its overgrazed lands by planting over 5000 native trees on the 200 acres and were quickly rewarded by a return of the native birds and wildlife. Nowadays, it’s a top destination for bird-watching groups and nature lovers.
See more about the ranch on Facebook: Rancho Primavera Mexico
Learn more about THE RANCH
LOCATION
Rancho Primavera is located on the central coast of Pacific Mexico, just 1 hour south of Puerto Vallarta, and 3 km from the small and charismatic Mexican town of El Tuito, which is at the center of the large peninsula known as Cabo Corrientes.
Non-stop flights are available from most major U.S. airports while one-stop connections are available from most major European cities. Rental cars are easily available and the mostly 2-lane roads are in good condition. Taxis, Ubers and busses are also available and we can arrange to pick you up in the village of El Tuito.
Learn more about our LOCATION
LODGING
We offer a choice of three different rental houses.
Adobe, Villa Carpintero and Casa Colibri.
Children and pets welcome!
RENTAL HOMES
We have three adjacent rental homes which overlook our pond where you can sit outside and watch the wildlife or take the rowboat or paddle boards out for a spin on the water.
Adobe Home has one bedroom with a king size bed, one full and one half bath, a fully equipped kitchen and a laundry room. The living room has two sofas which can also be used for sleeping.
Villa Carpintero Home has one bedroom with two full beds, two full baths, a fully equipped kitchen and the breakfast room that with its two extra-wide benches can be used as a sleeping area. The living room also has two sofas which can also be used for sleeping.
Casa Colibri is a smaller house with a queen-size bed, one full bath, a small kitchen and a wonderful porch for dining and bird-watching. It has a nice terrace for sun-bathing.
ACTIVITIES
Here at Rancho Primavera, there are many activities to entertain you including:
- Relax at our bird feeders where up to 70 species can be seen including hummingbirds and parrots
- Hike our trails through meadows and forest.
- Enjoy our pond where you can take a row boat out or try our paddle board
You may want to explore the many activities available within the state of Jalisco:
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- * Visit Galería Coppelia in El Tuito for some local art.
- Explore the local villages and their regional cuisines
- Wander the acclaimed Vallarta Botanical Gardens
- Swimming / Snorkling / Scuba diving / Surfing on the coast at Tehuamixtle, Maito, Chimo, Las Playitas beach areas
- Sample raicilla, the local tequila, at a distillery
- Ride a zip line through the forest canopy
- Get a taste of city culture in Puerto Vallarta
Learn more about local and regional ACTIVITIES
BIRDING
Rancho Primavera is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with its restored woodlands, meadows, creeks and riparian areas supporting over 265 species of birds, including parrots, trogans, cuckoos and 16 types of hummingbirds! Birding tour groups regularly visit and cherish Rancho Primavera for its birdlife and solitude.
Over 300 species of birds can be found in this region of Mexico including over 19 regional endemics such as the Citreoline Trogan, Orange-breasted Bunting, Lilac-crowned Parrot and the Mexican Woodnymph.
Venturing farther afield, you can explore the greater Jalisco region which supports a wide array of birds in its many habitats including mountainous pine and oak forests, tropical deciduous dry forests, coastal thorn scrub, beaches, islands and mangrove estuaries.
Learn more about our fantastic BIRDING
SEASONS TO VISIT
November through March are the best months to visit when the days are warm and sunny and migrating birds are here. April and May are hot and dry; this is the breeding season for resident birds like the sought-after and easily viewed Trogan and Mot-mot. June through October can be hot, humid and rainy with only resident birds seen.
PRAISE FROM OUR GUESTS
“A Hidden Gem”
“A Most Welcome Retreat”
“Recipe for Amazing”
“A Slice Of Paradise”
Learn more about our guest’s PRAISE
Greetings. I’m looking to explore the El Tuito area next October/November. I love nature and wildlife, and your place looks lovely. What would you charge a single woman for 3 to 5 days?
Hi Julie, Welcome to Rancho Primavera! For any number of guests under 6, the only option is a house. I would recommend for you Casa Colibri, which is the smallest house, but has a fully equipped kitchen for you to prepare your own meals. It is priced at $60 USD per night. Please let me know if you have any other questions, Bonnie
Greetings. I’m looking to explore the El Tuito area next October/November. I love nature and wildlife, and your place looks lovely. What would you charge a single woman for 3 to 5 days?
Hello, I’m a avian ecologist vacationing in Puerto Vallarta and was to do some birding. I understand you have a wonderful place for that activity even though it is the off season. I know it’s short notice but do you have any availability for my husband and I for 1-2 nights between sept. 28 and Oct. 3? If so how much would it be for the smallest house or the house with the king?
Hi Michelle, yes, the small house, Casa Colibri is available Oct 1 till the 4th. The Adobe house with the king is completely available, but I am traveling and will not be back until Oct 1 and the water filter needs a new UV light in that house. If you can come starting Oct 1 it is better so I can be there to put food out on feeders. Hope you can make it, Bonnie
Sorry, did not answer your question about price. The small house has an off season cost of $800 pesos, the Adobe house costs $1200 pesos in low season.
Or if there is no availability would it be possible to gain access to your property to view the local birds? Thanks.
Yes, if you choose not to stay you are welcome to come onto the property and bird all you want. There is no fee, just a donation box for those who wish to help with our conservation efforts.
Sounds good, you can sign us for Tues night and possibly Wed night if I feel I need to stay longer to get more birding in. We plan to arrive early morning on Tues.
Wonderful! Casa Colibri has been reserved for you for Oct. 2 and possibly Oct 3. I am very much looking forward to meeting you, Bonnie
I forgot to mention that I am unable to take credit cards. Please plan on paying cash, thanks!
Any availability Jan 28 to 31? 2 people?
Yes! We had a cancelation so both Casa Colibri and Villa Carpintero are available for those dates.
Yes, we have availability, email me at bonniejauregui@gmail.com
Dear Bonnie, my friends and I stayed with you about 5yrs ago. We were a group of gals from Alaska participating in the bird watching festival from Porta Varata. I just heard about the passing of your dear mother Pat and wanted to convey my condolences. She will always remain in my memory as a charming and ‘with it’ lady with a great smile and an obvious love of place. Best, Judie Gumm (Fairbanks, Alaska)
Thank you so much Judie for reaching out,. I am still having a hard time adjusting, but time will help. Please come and visit us again, Bonnie
Hi Bonnie, I must cancel my reservation for March 12 to 26, 2020 at Villa Carpintero, because of medical problems.
Thank you,
So sorry to hear that you are having medical problems Andree. I truly hope that it is nothing serious and that you will be well again soon. Thank you for notifying me about the cancellation. Hopefully we will see you the following year. My best wishes, Bonnie
Me and my brother are looking to come for a day trip Tuesday March 3,2020. Are you available to host us and what is the expense for a day trip? I’ve been to the ranch before and met Bonnie a few years back while picking up a day guest with Alejandro a bird guide. I didn’t have nearly enough time there and have been looking forward to coming back. Thanks Joe
Hi Joe, Day birders are welcome to visit the ranch. There is no entrance fee, but we do have a donation box for those that wish to help with our conservation efforts. On Tuesday I might need to make a trip to Vallarta, but I will not leave until around noon, so I should see you when you arrive. Do you have an approximate arrival time? You can reach me by email. bonniejauregui@gmail.com or my cellphone 322-172-4841.
Holà es que la habitatione es libre magniana 16 de o tobre?
Et cuanto cuesta. Mucho gracias
Marcel
Hola Marcel, en este momento no tengo nada disponible. Gracias por tu interés in Rancho Primavera, saludos, Bonnie
Hi there! My husband who’s an avid birder and I are interested in a cabin for 2 nights in Jan. We are looking at Jan 12 and 13th of Jan 8th and 9th. Do u have any availability for those dates? How much is a cabin? Looking forward to a visit, thanks jodi
Good day Jodi, yes I have two different houses available for Jan 8 and 9 and for Jan 12 and 13 all three are available, but I have some people coming into Casa Colibri Jan 14th, so that one would mean I need to get into it in the morning to prepare for the next guests.
Villa Carpintero is available for both dates and costs $95 USD a night wit a minimum stay of two nights.
Casa Adobe is available for Jan 12 and 13 and also costs $95 USD a night with a 2 night minimum
Casa Colibri is available for both dates, but will have other guests coming in on the 14th , it is a smaller house and costs $60 USD a night.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
You can write to me at bonniejauregui@gmail.com
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Bonnie
This is a very good website designed to get birders to visit. Because it is so good, I want to take a few minutes to suggest two corrections. In many text locations TROGON is misspelled as TROGAN. It is usually correct in the bird lists.
As an Emeritus professor of Biological Sciences, I also want to point out that the binomial scientific names should be in Italics. The average person reading your website has no idea this is the correct way to do it. When writing freehand, we are not able to write in Italics, so the rule for that situation is to underline the binomial.
After I stop leading tours for Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, I am tempted to come for a visit.
Was wondering what the price for the rental homes are? And is anything available for next week?
Hello Marianne, Casa Colibri rents for $60 USD a night and d is available next week from the 22nd on.
Adobe rents for $95 USD a night and is available all next week.
Villa Carpintero rents for $95 usd and is available up to the 23rd.
You can contact me at bonniejauregui@gmail.com or 322-172-4841
Please let me know if you have any other questions, Bonnie
Hello, We are a group of 4 or 5 birders hoping to stay at one of your rentals from January 21st and the 22nd in 2023. What cabins would you recommend if available and what would it cost.
Thank you!
Jerome
Hi Jerome,
I would love to have you and your friends come to bird the ranch. Unfortunately for Jan 21 and 22 we are completely booked. If you could do Jan 22 and 23 I have a new 2 bedroom house that will become available on the 22nd, it has a two night minimum. The other house that I would recommend for a group is Villa Carpintero, but it is booked until Jan 30.
If your dates are not flexible, you can stay in El Tuito and just come out as a day birder.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Bonnie
No problem. Do you have any availability the nights of January 19th and 20th?
Jerome
Sent from my iPhone
Sorry, we are completely booked for Jan 19 and 20.
Bonnie
Sorry Jerry, we are completely booked for Jan 19 and 20.
Bonnie
Okay, I think the 23rd and 24th would work. Maybe you shared, but what would the rate be?
Thanks,
Jerry
Sent from my iPhone
The new house is much larger than the other houses. It rents for $140 USD a night. It only has 4 beds, so if the fifth birder also comes I can give him/her a guest room for no extra charge.
So would you like to book for Jan 23 and 24?
Bonnie
Thank you Bonnie. I checked with our group, unfortunately those date will not work out. We may come for the day on January 19th if that is okay but don’t know for sure.
Thank you,
Jerry
Sent from my iPhone
Yes, please come on the 19th just as a day birder. Try to get here early to catch the activity at the feeders. Hope to meet you in January, Bonnie
If you need to get a hold of me quickly, the best way is through WhatsApp, 52-322-172-4841
Thank you,
Jerry
Sent from my iPhone
Hello Bonnie
We would like To speed 2 nights tomorrow 20th and 21st.
We are Christine and Emeric with our 19′ Roadtreck.
Would you have some space for us ?
Thank you
Hi Emeric, we have room for campers only. I am assuming that that is what you are requesting. Please let me know. Thank you, Bonnie
Wrong address. Thanks
Sent from my iPhone
Hi Bonnie
We are the retired Canadian couple that messaged you on another site, Bonnie. We are very interested in renting one of your homes for April and May 2024. Could you quote us the cost of two month in the Casa Colibri. Could you also quote us two months cost for the Adobe home.
Thank you.
Hi Kimberly,
Thank you for contacting me here. You can also write to me at bonniejauregui@gmail.com
A monthly rental for Casa Colibri would be $800 USD per month. It is quite small, but does have a complete kitchen. No laundry facility. The ranchhand’s wife can do laundry for a small price.
The monthly rental for Adobe is $1200 USD a month. It is larger and does have a washing machine.
I also have a new house that has been built for a long term rental, but is available for monthly rental. It is the MotMot house and is not on the website. It is a very comfortable 2 bedroom ,2 bathroom house with beautiful kitchen and a washing machine. I can send you pictures if you provide me your email. It rents for $1400 a month.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Bonnie
I’m a single woman in PV looking to stay 1 or 2 nights with my cocker spaniel. Can you please give me an idea about the price and availability? Also, I will be there without a car and am wondering about where I would eat. Thank you and please keep me on your mailing list.
Good evening Patrice, The smallest house is Casa Colibri and it costs $1200 pesos a night. It comes with a complete kitchen so you can prepare your meals. Also you can take a taxi into El Tuito to eat at one of the several family restaurants. Dogs must be on a leash on the property due to the fact the other birders will be watching birds and do not want them frightened. Casa Colibri will not be available until March 21. Let me know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Bonnie
I keep getting emails from you responding to people inquiring about your ranch. For example I just received one from a Patricia Fresch:
I’m a single woman in PV looking to stay 1 or 2 nights with my cocker spaniel. Can you please give me an idea about the price and availability? Also, I will be there without a car and am wondering about where I would eat. Thank you and please keep me on your mailing list.
Good evening Patrice, The smallest house is Casa Colibri and it costs $1200 pesos a night. It comes with a complete kitchen so you can prepare your meals. Also you can take a taxi into El Tuito to eat at one of the several family restaurants. Dogs must be on a leash on the property due to the fact the other birders will be watching birds and do not want them frightened. Casa Colibri will not be available until March 21. Let me know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Bonnie
Reply
Please let us know if you would have a reservation for birding for Meg Cooper for Tuesday, February 28? Also we need to know the time. We made the reservation on a website that we can’t seem to locate again and have not received a response from them. Wondering if you may know what company it would be and a phone number if so? Thank you, Laura and Meg
Hi Laura and Meg, I don’t know who you made reservations with. Is it for a bird watching tour around Vallarta or here to Rancho Primavera?
The guides that bring birders up here are
Alfonso Langle with PV birders
Antonio Robles 311-120-9287
Alex Martinez with Birding in Mexico
Or Cynthia with Ecotours
Do any of those sound familiar?
Let me know how else I might be able to help you,
Bonnie
Thank you, Bonnie for your quick reply. Yes it is Rancho Primavera and thank you for the phone number for Antonio, we will call him.
Alfonso Langle at Alfonsolangle@gmail can pick you up on Thursday and bring you birding here. He has your phone number and his is 322-216-7513
Hi Bonnie
Hoping you are well. I have emailed you and will leave a message here as well. I am very keen to rent Casa Colibri March 1-31, 2024. It sounds so idyllic! Please let me know if this is possible and how to proceed. All the best, Eileen Yeker
Your Rancho sounds like a lovely place for bird watching and relaxing. What would your rates be for a single woman?
Good morning Judi, the rate depends on your dates and which accommodations. I would recommend Casa Colibri for a single woman, it is currently booked for the whole month of March. For this season it rents for $1200 pesos a night. I also have guest rooms with a kitchenette, which are available next week. If you write me at bonniejauregui@gmail.com or WhatsApp at 322-172-4841, I will respond quicker.
This email is coming to me. I am not associated with the lodge. I just inquired about staying there once. Thank you,
Jerome
Sent from my iPhone
Looks like an amazing place for birding!
Yes it is! When do you want to come for some excellent birding?