Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve

🇲🇽 Mexico

🐒 Howler Monkey and Macaw Rainforest
🌍 #218 Global · 3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #38 in North America #98 in Tropical Forest
Chiapas, Mexico 978 spp. recorded

Montes Azules holds the largest surviving block of the Lacandon rainforest, and the river is how you see it. Yucatán black howlers call from the banks on more than eight trips in ten and Geoffroy's spider monkeys are recorded on seven.

16.388° N   91.102° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Mexican Black Howler Monkey ★
EN

Mexican Black Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta pigra

50–60% · Likely
Central American Spider Monkey ★
EN

Central American Spider Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ateles geoffroyi

40–50% · Likely
Scarlet Macaw ★
LC

Scarlet Macaw

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ara macao

30–40% · Possible
Belize Crocodile ★
LC

Belize Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus moreletii

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Magnolia Warbler
LC

Magnolia Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga magnolia

40–50% · Likely
Brown Jay

Brown Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psilorhinus morio

40–50% · Likely
American Redstart
LC

American Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga ruticilla

40–50% · Likely
Social Flycatcher
LC

Social Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myiozetetes similis

40–50% · Likely
Black-and-white Warbler
LC

Black-and-white Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mniotilta varia

40–50% · Likely
Keel-billed Toucan
NT

Keel-billed Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos sulfuratus

40–50% · Likely
Melodious Blackbird
LC

Melodious Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dives dives

40–50% · Likely
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
LC

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Amazilia tzacatl

40–50% · Likely
Spot-breasted Wren
LC

Spot-breasted Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pheugopedius maculipectus

40–50% · Likely
Gray Catbird
LC

Gray Catbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dumetella carolinensis

40–50% · Likely
Summer Tanager
LC

Summer Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Piranga rubra

40–50% · Possible
Yellow Warbler
LC Endemic

Yellow Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga petechia

30–40% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Mexican Black Howler Monkey ★
EN

Mexican Black Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta pigra

50–60% · Likely
Central American Spider Monkey ★
EN

Central American Spider Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ateles geoffroyi

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat
LC

Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Artibeus jamaicensis

10–20% · With luck
Proboscis Bat
LC

Proboscis Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rhynchonycteris naso

10–20% · With luck
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

10–20% · With luck
Yucatán Squirrel
LC

Yucatán Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus yucatanensis

10–20% · With luck
Baird's Tapir

Baird's Tapir

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tapirella bairdii

10–20% · With luck
Mountain Lion
LC

Mountain Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Puma concolor

10–20% · With luck
Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

10–20% · With luck
Big-eared Woolly Bat
LC

Big-eared Woolly Bat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Chrotopterus auritus

10–20% · With luck
Northern Tamandua
LC Endemic

Northern Tamandua

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamandua mexicana

5–10% · With luck
Deppe's Squirrel
LC

Deppe's Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus deppei

5–10% · With luck
Jaguar
NT

Jaguar

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera onca

5–10% · With luck
Greater Sac-winged Bat
LC

Greater Sac-winged Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Saccopteryx bilineata

5–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Scarlet Macaw ★
LC

Scarlet Macaw

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ara macao

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Magnolia Warbler
LC

Magnolia Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga magnolia

40–50% · Likely
Brown Jay

Brown Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psilorhinus morio

40–50% · Likely
American Redstart
LC

American Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga ruticilla

40–50% · Likely
Social Flycatcher
LC

Social Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myiozetetes similis

40–50% · Likely
Black-and-white Warbler
LC

Black-and-white Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mniotilta varia

40–50% · Likely
Keel-billed Toucan
NT

Keel-billed Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos sulfuratus

40–50% · Likely
Melodious Blackbird
LC

Melodious Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dives dives

40–50% · Likely
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
LC

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Amazilia tzacatl

40–50% · Likely
Spot-breasted Wren
LC

Spot-breasted Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pheugopedius maculipectus

40–50% · Likely
Gray Catbird
LC

Gray Catbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dumetella carolinensis

40–50% · Likely
Summer Tanager
LC

Summer Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Piranga rubra

40–50% · Possible
Yellow Warbler
LC Endemic

Yellow Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga petechia

30–40% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Belize Crocodile ★
LC

Belize Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus moreletii

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Ghost Anole
LC

Ghost Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis lemurinus

30–40% · Possible
Brown Basilisk
LC

Brown Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus vittatus

20–30% · Possible
Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

20–30% · Possible
Middle American Ameiva
LC

Middle American Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus festivus

10–20% · With luck
Hernandez’s Helmeted Basilisk
LC

Hernandez’s Helmeted Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Corytophanes hernandesii

10–20% · With luck
Blue Spiny Lizard
LC

Blue Spiny Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus serrifer

10–20% · With luck
Yellow-spotted Night Lizard
LC

Yellow-spotted Night Lizard

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Lepidophyma flavimaculatum

10–20% · With luck
Helmeted Iguana
LC

Helmeted Iguana

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Corytophanes cristatus

10–20% · With luck
Red Coffee Snake
LC

Red Coffee Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Ninia sebae

10–20% · With luck
Central American Jumping Pit Viper

Central American Jumping Pit Viper

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus

10–20% · With luck
Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper
LC

Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Porthidium nasutum

10–20% · With luck
Blunthead Tree Snake
LC

Blunthead Tree Snake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Imantodes cenchoa

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Mexican Smilisca
LC

Mexican Smilisca

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Smilisca baudinii

20–30% · Possible
Central American Gulf Coast Toad
LC

Central American Gulf Coast Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Incilius valliceps

20–30% · Possible
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

10–20% · With luck
Mexican Mushroomtongue Salamander
LC

Mexican Mushroomtongue Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Bolitoglossa mexicana

10–20% · With luck
Yellow Treefrog
LC

Yellow Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Dendropsophus microcephalus

10–20% · With luck
Stauffer's Tree Frog
LC

Stauffer's Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Scinax staufferi

5–10% · With luck
Browns' Frog
LC Endemic

Browns' Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lithobates brownorum

Insufficient data
Vaillant's Frog
LC

Vaillant's Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Lithobates vaillanti

5–10% · With luck
Rufescent Salamander
LC

Rufescent Salamander

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Bolitoglossa rufescens

Insufficient data
Common Leaf-Litter Frog
LC

Common Leaf-Litter Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Craugastor loki

Insufficient data
Leprus Chirping Frog
LC

Leprus Chirping Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Eleutherodactylus leprus

Insufficient data
Painted Tree Frog
LC

Painted Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Tlalocohyla picta

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐊

Crocodiles on the Sandbars

FebMar

Morelet's crocodiles rest on the exposed river sandbars as the water drops.

Belize Crocodile
LC

Belize Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus moreletii

40–50% · Likely
🐸

Frogs and Salamanders in the Rains

AugSepOct

Mexican tree frogs and mushroom-tongue salamanders breed in the wet forest and call after dark.

Mexican Smilisca
LC

Mexican Smilisca

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Smilisca baudinii

20–30% · Possible
Mexican Mushroomtongue Salamander
LC

Mexican Mushroomtongue Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Bolitoglossa mexicana

10–20% · With luck
🐒

Howlers and Spider Monkeys in the Dry Months

DecJanFebMar

Yucatán black howlers call at dawn and spider monkey troops feed in the fruiting canopy.

Scarlet Macaw
LC

Scarlet Macaw

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ara macao

30–40% · Possible
Central American Spider Monkey
EN

Central American Spider Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ateles geoffroyi

40–50% · Likely
Mexican Black Howler Monkey
EN

Mexican Black Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta pigra

50–60% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
20–30
50–60
30–40
40–50
Mexican Black Howler Monkey
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
Central American Spider Monkey
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
20–30
40–50
30–40
30–40
50–60
20–30
50–60
Scarlet Macaw
40–50
20–30
40–50
30–40
30–40
20–30
40–50
20–30
20–30
30–40
20–30
40–50
Belize Crocodile
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
20–30
30–40
40–50
20–30
40–50
50–60
40–50
Magnolia Warbler
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
20–30
10–20
5–10
10–20
40–50
70–80
40–50
40–50
Brown Jay
50–60
40–50
50–60
30–40
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
10–20
30–40
40–50
60–70
American Redstart
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
30–40
5–10
5–10
10–20
20–30
80–90
30–40
40–50
Social Flycatcher
50–60
50–60
30–40
30–40
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
20–30
30–40
50–60
40–50
Black-and-white Warbler
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
10–20
5–10
5–10
20–30
50–60
70–80
30–40
20–30
Keel-billed Toucan
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
20–30
20–30
40–50
40–50
Melodious Blackbird
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
20–30
20–30
30–40
40–50
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
60–70
50–60
40–50
20–30
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
10–20
30–40
40–50
40–50
Spot-breasted Wren
40–50
20–30
30–40
20–30
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
Gray Catbird
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
10–20
5–10
5–10
10–20
5–10
50–60
40–50
60–70
Summer Tanager
50–60
30–40
50–60
60–70
10–20
5–10
5–10
5–10
10–20
70–80
40–50
30–40
Yellow Warbler
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
20–30
5–10
5–10
5–10
60–70
70–80
20–30
20–30
Animal Events
🐒 Howlers and Spider Monkeys in the Dry Months
🐊 Crocodiles on the Sandbars
🐸 Frogs and Salamanders in the Rains

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐒 Howler Monkey and Macaw Rainforest

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
579
🐒 Mammals
217
🦎 Reptiles
131
🐸 Amphibians
51
978 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
26 Threatened 81 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
45%
📊
Coverage (292 species at ≥5% of 978 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
30%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (9 bird, 2 mammal, 1 reptile)
46% Global avg
54%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
203
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
16
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
13

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve?

The most likely sightings are Mexican Black Howler Monkey (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Magnolia Warbler (seen by 40–50% of wildlife watchers), Belize Crocodile (seen by 40–50% of wildlife watchers), Brown Jay (seen by 40–50% of wildlife watchers), American Redstart (seen by 40–50% of wildlife watchers) — among 978 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve for wildlife?

January has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Mexican Black Howler Monkey in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve?

Yes — about 50% of wildlife watchers report a Mexican Black Howler Monkey sighting in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, based on 123 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Central American Spider Monkey in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve?

Yes — about 45% of wildlife watchers report a Central American Spider Monkey sighting in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, based on 97 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Scarlet Macaw in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve?

Yes — about 36% of wildlife watchers report a Scarlet Macaw sighting in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, based on 55 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Belize Crocodile in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve?

Yes — about 46% of wildlife watchers report a Belize Crocodile sighting in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, based on 102 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve or ?

Compare species and sighting probabilities

Compare parks

Explore Other Parks

Biotopo Cerro Cahuí 📍 162 km 🦎 Brown Basilisks Skitter Across the Lakeshore

Biotopo Cerro Cahuí

🇬🇹 Guatemala 🌍 #289 Global · 2.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #48 in Central America #121 in Tropical Forest
El Triunfo 📍 202 km 🦃 Mexico's Finest Highland Guan Sanctuary

El Triunfo

🇲🇽 Mexico 🌍 #132 Global · 3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #9 in North America #61 in Tropical Forest
Cañón del Sumidero National Park 📍 215 km 🐊 American Crocodiles Below the Canyon Walls

Cañón del Sumidero National Park

🇲🇽 Mexico 🌍 #193 Global · 3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #26 in North America #89 in Tropical Forest
Calakmul Biosphere Reserve 📍 238 km 🐒 Spider Monkeys Over Maya Temples

Calakmul Biosphere Reserve

🇲🇽 Mexico 🌍 #159 Global · 3.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #13 in North America #76 in Tropical Forest