Tailormade Holidays in Guatemala

Laguna del Tigre National Park is an ecological reserve situated within the rich tropical rainforests of the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR), in northern Guatemala. Spanning 3370 km² and constituting 13 different ecological zones, it is the largest National Park in Guatemala and a core area of the MBR. The park’s large neotropical wetland ecosystem is fundamental both for the regulation of the hydrological cycle and for the preservation of the nation’s freshwater reserves, earning it prestigious UNESCO Ramsar status in 1993. This pristine Mesoamerican rainforest-wetland mosaic supports a staggering array of avifauna, neotropical mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. Laguna del Tigre, which translates to ‘Tiger Lagoon’, is a nominative tribute to the Jaguars that stalk the forest. The reserve is also a particularly important refuge for the Scarlet Macaw, which remain a nationally endangered species, and, like many national parks in Guatemala, it holds cultural significance and continues to be an important archaeological site.

Biotopo Mario Dary Rivera nature reserve, colloquially known as Biotopo del Quetzal, is situated amongst 10.5 km² of lush cloud forest just south of Cobán. As the name suggests, this private reserve was established to help conserve the Resplendent Quetzal (the national bird of Guatemala), which was fast heading towards extinction in the late 1970s. The colourful, jewel-like feathers of the Queztal were once used as currency by the pre-Colombian Mayans and the birds have since been targets of the lucrative illegal pet trade. Unfortunately, due to old hunting pressure and trapping, the bird remains shy and elusive in the forest, and seeing one is never guaranteed. Nonetheless, the park is full of flora, including Cyprus, Walnut, Aguacatillo and Pepper Trees, which provide a home for the quetzal alongside a wealth of other birds and animals. Spot-breasted Oriole, Garnet-throated Hummingbird and Collared Trogon are amongst some of the attractive avian residents. In addition, this is one of the few areas where the curious Cacomistle (a nocturnal arboreal mammal and a close relative of the North American Ringtail) is regularly seen.

Los Tarrales Reserve was the brainchild of a North American farmer who bought the land in the 1950s to preserve it as a place in which conservation is managed in conjunction with the local indigenous community. His grandson, Andy Burge, now runs the reserve, which is situated on the mineral-rich slopes of the Atitlan Volcano, in Guatemala’s southern volcanic belt. The reserve protects pristine cloudforest and humid broadleaf forest on the volcano’s slopes, at elevations of between 700 and 3,000 metres. This unique topography creates a range of forest habitat which supports some marvellous birdlife. Boasting upwards of 350 species, including the regionally endemic Horned Guan, Azure-rumped Tanager, Long-tailed Manakin and Pink-headed Warbler, Los Tarrales Reserve is one of the top birding hotspots in the country. Furthermore, because there has been no hunting for three generations in Los Tarrales, species such as White-tailed Deer, Central American Agouti, White-bellied Chachalaca and Crested Guan are less timid here than in some areas. For the extremely fortunate, Pumas have also been sighted along the trails here. This reserve is private and independently sustainable, as funds towards its conservation are protected by the income generated from the sale of coffee and ornamental flowers, and through ecotourism. Los Tarrales Reserve also provides an income for the 60 Maya Kaqchikel families which live within the reserve’s protected areas.

One of Guatemala’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Antigua is an attractive city dressed in Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture, filled with old colonial churches and set against an impressive volcanic backdrop. Antigua was once one of the richest cities in the New World and the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala, but seismic activity resulted in its partial abandonment in 1776. As a result of this, and in addition to new protective legislation, Antigua has retained much of its 16^th century Renaissance grid pattern and many of its original buildings. Today, the city is a relic frozen in time, with manicured cobbled streets and bustling plazas lined with colourfully dressed vendors selling intricate textiles and ceramics. The jaw dropping landscape and unique culture combine to make this one of the most photogenic cities in the world. Antigua is also an ideal base from which to explore nearby wildlife habitat, such as Finca El Pilar – an excellent place to begin birding. Quiet trails meander through humid broadleaf forest and species such as Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo and Bar-winged Oriole are often seen. The hummingbird feeders here also attract regional endemics, including Rufous Sabrewing and Green-throated Mountain-Gem.

A magical place that blends natural and cultural history in a unique and dazzling display. Tikal, which was continuously inhabited for over 1,500 years between 600 B.C. and 900 A.D., served as a significant economic, political, and military centre for the ancient Maya civilization. Today, it stands as one of the most important archaeological sites globally and is among the few UNESCO World Heritage Sites inscribed for both its cultural and natural significance. The site constitutes more than 576 km² of protected wildlife habitat, situated deep within the tropical forests of northern Guatemala. The savannah-forest-wetland mosaic that envelops these ancient ruins harbours staggering biodiversity. More than 100 species of mammal have been recorded here, including five cat species, the endangered Yucatan Spider Monkey and Baird's Tapir, making it one of the finest areas for observing mammals in Central America. The avifauna is equally as spectacular; indeed, it is also one of Central America’s premier birding locations, with up to 400 species present, including such targets as Ocellated Turkey, Crested Eagle and Orange-breasted Falcon. Botanists and herpetologists will be in their element, with more than 2,000 plants and over 100 species of herpetofauna documented. Using 1300-year-old Mayan temples as vantage points to scan the canopy is certainly a unique experience!

Situated in the highlands of the Sierra Madre range, Lake Atitlán is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Central America and with a maximum depth of almost 350 metres, it is also the deepest! Located just one hour’s drive from Los Tarrales Reserve, the surroundings of the lake offer a variety of avifaunal species such as Montane Trogon, Rock Wren, Blue-throated Motmot, Speckled-breasted Oriole, Chestnut-sided Shrike-vireo, Lesser Roadrunner and Belted Flycatcher. There are many hotspots around the lake, including Atitlan Nature Reserve itself, with loop trails that traverse the reserve from 1,500 to 1,800 metres above sea level. The lower parts of the slopes are more humid and gardened with flowering plants, which attract Rufous Sabrewing, White-eared, Garnet-throated and Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird. Scrub and adjacent open spaces are home to Yellow-throated Brush-Finch and Prevost's Ground-Sparrow. In the oak forest, foraging mixed warbler flocks can be seen during the northern winter, including migratory Black-throated Green, Townsend's, Golden-cheeked, Nashville, and Wilson's Warblers, and resident Slate-throated Redstart. Flocks are often joined by Rufous-browed Pepper-Shrike and Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, alongside flocks of Bushy-crested Jays that roam through the open forest canopy. On flowering canopy trees, such as Grevillea Robusta (introduced from Australia) in a small coffee plantation in the lower part, different orioles can be seen, including the resident Yellow-backed, Black-vented, and Bar-winged Orioles.

Yaxhá National Park, is located in the north of the country, adjacent to Tikal. Yaxhá, together with Nakum and Naranjo, form the wider Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo Cultural Triangle, a reserve that stretches out over 380 km² and set up to conserve these three lesser-known ancient Mayan cities, and their connecting corridors. 2,000 years ago, this was one of the busiest commercial, political and military centres in the Americas. Today, it belongs to an important tropical wetland ecosystem. Hundreds of temples, palaces and other ancient stone-structures lie surrounded by one of the largest tracts of ‘untouched’ rainforest in Central America. Common mammals include White-nosed Coati and Central American Agouti, which can be seen scurrying between the ruins, whilst flashes of colour signify the presence of the many toucans, trogons and parrots that call the area home. Various species of Nearctic shorebirds, as well as the rare Jabiru, can also be found near Yaxhá Lagoon. However, a swim here, which may appear inviting from afar, is not recommended, as Morelet's Crocodiles are abundant!

Central America is rightly considered one of the world’s best areas for wildlife. Despite its relatively tiny size – a small, tapering strip of land, dwarfed by the two continents it connects – the region contains some of the greatest concentrations of biodiversity on Earth. Bordering Mexico to the north and Colombia to the south, the seven Central American countries collectively offer an unrivalled set of natural history experiences. Although Costa Rica and Panama are probably the most famous, and certainly the most popular, wildlife destinations in the region, they are far from the only worthwhile nations to visit. In particular, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize provide the best of both worlds – an opportunity to leave the beaten tourist track, while also encountering many of the region’s most iconic species.

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