Mexico's Total Solar Eclipse

Summary

On 8th April 2024 we have the chance to witness a total solar eclipse – considered by many who have seen them to be one of the most extraordinary and dramatic sights in all of nature. During those minutes of totality, when the Moon completely covers the Sun, we are presented with an otherworldly scene: the wispy tendrils of the Sun’s outer atmosphere extending from the blackest of disks, all set against a velvet deep blue sky. Once seen, this astonishing vision will never be forgotten!  

The path of this eclipse starts far out in the Pacific Ocean and makes landfall along the coast of western Mexico, before crossing the Sierra Madre mountains and heading on to the US and parts of eastern Canada. Although many in the US are claiming this eclipse as their own, the best location to see it in all its glory will be Mexico which has an enviable record for clear skies in April and where the duration of totality will be at its greatest. Our base is south of the coastal town of Mazatlán, a few miles from the centreline. Here the duration of the eclipse, from first to fourth contact, is two hours and 41 minutes with totality lasting nearly four and a half minutes, making it one of the longest eclipses of the past decade.

This special tour will take us on a 14-day adventure, immersing ourselves in the culture, history and wildlife of western Mexico. Our holiday begins with two nights in Mexico’s ‘cultural capital’ of Guadalajara, before we make our way to San Blas for one night. Here we will visit the nearby La Tovara National Park, one of the largest preserved mangrove forests in North America, home to such birds as Boat-billed Heron and Roseate Spoonbill. During the four nights at our oceanside base of Mazatlán, we will not only witness the eclipse, but go in search of such birds as Snail Kite, Northern Potoo and the endemic Purplish-backed Jay. We next head for the town of Tequila, the birthplace of the infamous Mexican drink, for two nights. Here we tour the agave fields and visit a distillery of one of the area’s largest producers. Finally, we fly to Mexico City where we have two full days to explore the nation’s capital and the spectacular archaeological site of Teotihuacán before flying home.

• A total solar eclipse from Mexico's Pacific coast
• A boat excursion to the La Tovara Mangroves
• Chances of seeing endemic Purplish-backed Jay and many other bird species.  
• Sample locally produced Tequila 
• Historic Mexico City
• Teotihuacan archaeological site