Entire home

The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families!

Photo gallery for The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families!

A garden pathway leading to a covered entrance with a bench and potted plants.
A dining area with a glass table and wooden chairs, a brown leather sofa, and a ceiling fan.
A living room with a sofa, a coffee table with a book, a television on a wooden cabinet, and large windows with a view of greenery.
A gravel path leading to a wooden structure surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
A living room with a sofa, TV, and a ceiling fan.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Arcade/game room
    A rare find - fun for all ages with on-site arcade/game room.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Dog-friendly
  • Toys
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View map
Pharr, TX
  • Place, World's Largest Killer Bee
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Old Hidalgo Pumphouse
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Payne Arena
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Airport, McAllen, TX (MFE-Miller Intl.)
    ‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1 - Bird Room

1 Single Bed and 1 King Bed

Bedroom 2 - River Room

1 King Bed, 1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 3 - Safari Room

2 Single Bunk Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1 - Primary

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2 - River & Safari Room Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Pharr

Located in Pharr, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. Old Hidalgo Pumphouse and Railway Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include World's Largest Killer Bee and Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Parish. Travelling with kids? Consider Reynosa Cultural Park and Smitty's Juke Box Museum. Fishing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and hunting nearby.
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Map
Pharr, TX

What's nearby

  • World's Largest Killer Bee - 5 min drive - 4.9 km
  • Old Hidalgo Pumphouse - 7 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Payne Arena - 8 min drive - 6.4 km
  • Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge - 11 min drive - 11.3 km
  • La Plaza Mall - 15 min drive - 17.4 km

Getting around

  • Reynosa, Tamaulipas (REX-General Lucio Blanco Intl.) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sonic Crush - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Whataburger - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Little Caesars Pizza - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Taquería "El Mezquite - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Mr. Freeze - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families!?

As of 1 November 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families! on 10 March 2027 start from NZ$1,534, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families! located?

Located on a lake, this family-friendly holiday home is within 6 mi (10 km) of World's Largest Killer Bee, Railway Museum, and Mercado Zaragoza. Plaza Miguel Hidalgo and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 5 out of 5 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 5 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very cool place. Perfect for groups of bird hunters.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
First off, the owners were so gracious to allow us to have our small wedding on their property. The beauty of all the nature really added to everything. The house was also the perfect place for our family to stay the days leading up to and after the event. It is very clean and well kept and of course the property itself is so beautiful. My family really enjoyed being in the space.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 January 2026
We are so glad you chose to celebrate your special day at the Birdhouse! Thank you for making lasting memories at our property!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Birdhouse is an amazing property for anyone that loves nature. There are multiple outdoor spaces to relax and entertain both adjacent to the house and on the resaca. The wildlife and plants are abundant with great birding opportunities. The house is very well maintained and had all the amenities we needed. We especially liked having a casual den right off the master bedroom to relax in. The beds were comfortable and everything was super clean. We hope to stay again on our next trip to the Lower Rio Grande Valley!
Stayed 15 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 January 2026
Thank you for sharing this feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the house and surrounding oasis during the winter season. We look forward to hosting again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We expected a great birding setting, but were surprised at how much more the Birdhouse offers. The house itself is comfortable and spacious. Everything we needed was right at hand and easily found. The beds were comfy and the kitchen handy. Wonderful seating areas inside and outside for relaxing, dining, or birding.We added 7 new lifetime bird sightings at the Birdhouse and property alone. Every morning we could take coffee to any of the seating areas an just listen. Lauren and Lucas were very easy to work with and were responsive to any request. Great hosts. We certainly have the Birdhouse on our list for future trips to the Rio Grande Valley.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck in a tree
Roseate Spoonbill in the lake
Yellow-crowned Night Heron on the bridge to the private island
Stayed 16 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic time at this hidden gem! Our family enjoyed this amazing property with spectacular views. Felt like we were far away from the rest of the world, but stores were just a few minutes away. The house is perfect for a family or group of friends. No detail was spared and everything we needed was available. The beds were comfortable and the amenities were just as listed. *Bonus : we stayed during December and there was a decorated Christmas tree and several Christmas touches throughout the house. Our family really enjoyed that! As for the outdoor space- amazing! Beautiful lush landscape. A true nature sanctuary. Many outdoor spaces to enjoy and just relax. There was also huge wide open spaces for the kids to run and play and take in all of nature. We spotted several of the birds in the guide during our visit. There’s no shortage of relaxation spots, large enough for everyone to come together or spread out and enjoy some quiet reflection time alone. The host left a welcome basket for us which was also a sweet touch and we appreciated! Overall, we would highly recommend this fantastic property!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 January 2026
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re so happy to have made it a memorable one, and hope you’ll visit again!
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