Navopatia Field Station is a remote station on the Agiabampo Estuary located 7 miles north of the Sonora/Sinaloa border (CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS). We offer accommodations to students, researchers and eco-tourists interested in natural history. Our accommodations are rustic, giving visitors the opportunity to be able to live in rugged conditions far from modern civilization.

Our accommodations include rooms in natural buildings as well as spacious wall tents. Toilet facilities are open-air pit toilets and composting toilets. The shower is on a passive-solar heating system. Cooking is done in solar ovens and wood-fired stoves.

Activities include swimming, kayaking and bird watching in the mangrove lined saltwater estuary. Bird tours can be arranged with experienced guides in motorized watercraft. The land surrounding the field station is a beautiful Pitaya or Organ Pipe Cactus forest offering excellent opportunities for hiking, botanizing, and exploring.

Some visitors stay for as long as 2 months, while others come just for a day of kayaking. The only requirements for staying are a love for the natural world, willingness to live in a small community in a remote location, and a desire to practice Spanish.

Memberships to the Alamos Wildlands Alliance can be purchased on site, or by email through our Executive Director, Heather May. One of the membership privileges is a reduced rate per night as noted below.

RATES

Full Stay Rates:
Per person: (all full stay rates include use of kayaks, 3 meals, water and sleeping accommodations. Members deduct $5 from all full stay prices. Student/Research rates available upon request.)
1 night: full accommodations -$35 US
1 night: camping-$25 US
1 week: full accommodations -$245 US
1 week: camping-$175 US

Single Activity Rates:

Day use of Kayaks: $10 per day per person

Meals: $10 per person per meal

Guided Boat/Bird Tours: $120 per boat (8 people max)
If you would like a tour please contact us two weeks prior to the date you wish to tour.

We will open on December 1, and will remain open until the end of March. In 2010 we will be closing on March 15.

Space is limited, so we do ask that you make reservations prior to your visit. For reservations please contact:

647 108 3712(Mexico)
navopatia@gmail.com

What do I need to bring with me?

The field station is in a very remote area and you will need to bring a few extra things with you if you are planning on staying for more than a couple of days. Food and water are included with your stay, though cocktails, beer and similar sundries are not included in the nightly rate.

Clothing:
Be prepared for cloudy, foggy weather, as well as warm, sunny, (dare I say hot?) weather. Nights are cool, so a jacket is a nice thing to have with you. It is advisable to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and close-toed shoes while walking in the cactus dominated thornforest.
-Sunglasses
-Sunscreen
-Beanie (tuque if you’re from Canada), or stocking cap
-Sunhat

Other stuff:
-Books: we have a great collection of books and always love to add to the library. Bring your favorites, you can leave them if you like, or take them home. Reading is a favorite past-time of visitors.
-Camera
-Cards
-Tools (screwdrivers, wrenches, cheap wood saws, etc. These all make great gifts to local folks, and sometimes we need them too!)
-Binoculars
-Rechargeable AA batteries
-Headlamp/Flashlight w/ batteries
-Sleeping Bag (if you are camping, or if you know you are a cold sleeper)
-Thermarest, or ground pad (again, if you are camping….)
-Tent (if you….)
-Musical instruments (we have some)
-Watch (mostly for students, for visitors, we usually tell time by tide, sun and moon)
-Water Bottle
-Toys (for gifts e.g. balls, etc for local kids Inexpensive, dollar store stuff is fine)
-School supplies for local kids (pencils, pens, spiral notebooks, etc. You would not believe how expensive this stuff is down there.)