GUATEMALAN ECOTOURISM

ECOTOURISM: OUR NATURAL BOUNTY

Occupying the northernmost position in Central America, Guatemala offers one of the most exciting natural history destinations in the Americas. Consider this: a wildly varied land of virgin jungles, intermingled with beautiful lakes, rivers and volcanoes; caves, valleys and ravines; mountains and plateaus.

Within its ecosystems are myriad species of flora and fauna, changing with a graduated climate whose average temperature is 68 °F.

For the visitor, it is important to note that many of the country's most beautiful and interesting natural regions are sites of enormous archeological importance, monuments of colonial architecture, and centers of traditional Indian culture. Such touristic assets add up to an unquestionably fascinating travel destination.

Three types of sub-tropical forests are found in Guatemala: warm and very humid; cool and very humid; warm and dry forest.

Warm and very humid forests are found throughout the country in the departments of Izabal, El Petén, Alta Verapaz, Santa Rosa, Escuintla, Suchitepéquez, Retalhuleu, San Marcos, Quiché and Quetzaltenango.

Altitude in this area range fom 59 feet to over 5,000 feet above sea level. The temperature varies between 70 °F to 82 °F. The area contains over 60 different species of trees as well as aquatic vegetation inhabited by nesting, spawning fish and crustaceans. There are about 180 species of native birds and over 300 species of migrating birds.

Cool and very humid forests are found in the departments of Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Jutiapa, Quiché and Huehuetenango. The altitude varies from 558 to 2,133 feet above sea level. Temperature is in the range of 68 °F to 80 °F.

The vegetation of the area differs with the altitude and ranges from weeds, bushes and ferns (some arboreal) to palms. There are more than 50 species of trees and hundreds of orchids and bromeliads. Butterflies and beetles, amphibians, lizards and snakes are plentiful. The most spectacular bird of the region is the quetzal - the national bird of Guatemala.

Warm and dry forests are found in the departments of Santa Rosa, Jutiapa, Izabal, El Petén, Escuintla, Suchitepéquez, Retalhuleu, Quetzaltenango and San Marcos. They are found from sea level to 1,312 feet in a temperature of 66 °F to 86 °F. This type of forest is located in areas of brackish water so that mangroves and bulrushes are prevalent. The area also has a great variety of fruit trees, medicinal plans and other timber. Many different species of mammals, reptiles and birds are there.

Guatemala is split almost down the middle, by a mountain range which forms two mountain systems: the Sierra Madre, which is parallel to the Pacific Ocean, and the Cuchumatanes Range, in Huehuetenango. Other systems in Guatemala are the Sierra de las Minas, Sierra de Chama, Sierra de Chuacus and the Merendón Mountains.


LAKE ATITLÁN

Lake Atitlán, which is volcanic in origin, is the main touristic attraction in the Department of Sololá. The lake is 90 miles from Guatemala City, and has been described by experts as the most beautiful lake in the world. It is located 5,125 feet above sea level, covers an area of 50 square miles and has a depth of 1,600 feet. Its clear waters are home to several species of fish including the very edible black bass.

Three spectacular volcanoes - Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro - form a natural backdrop for the lake waters which change colors with the varying light. Lake Atitlán is a mecca for water sports: fishing, swimming, diving, water skiing and boating. The surrounding mountains are a natural springboard for hang gliding and competitions are often held there.


LAKE AMATITLÁN

Lake Amatitlán is located 17 miles south of Guatemala City. To really enjoy the beauty of this six square mile lake, it is necessary to view the lake by boat. You can also get a spectacular view of the lake and surroundings from the lookout atop United Nations Park. This is reached by funicular from Las Ninfas Park.

AMATIQUE BAY

The scenic Caribbean coast area - still not fully developed for tourism - has sand beaches interspersed with patches of forest. Places to visit include Punta Cocolí, Punta de Manabique and Bahia Santo Tomas.

Boats can be hired in Puerto Barrios, capital of the Department, to visit other fascinating towns. One such is Livingston, an Afro-Caribbean town inhabited by the Garífuna people.

The Río Dulce, approximately 19 miles long, is Lake Izabal's outlet to the Caribbean. At its widest point, the river has a "lake-like" stretch known as the Golfete. This scenic river is lined with dense tropical vegetation inhabited by both tropical and sea birds.

PACIFIC COAST

Guatemala's Pacific Coast is characterized by the volcanic black sand beaches found there. These are much like the beaches found on many South Pacific atolls. The best known of these beaches are found in the departments of Retalhuleu, Suchitepéquez, Escuintla and Santa Rosa. Among these beaches are La Empalizada, El Semillero, Zipacate and Hawai.

In the Department of Escuintla, beautiful waterfalls add to the natural beauty of the caves at San Pedro Mártir.


THE HIGHLANDS

Chocoyá Bathing Resort: Two and a half miles from Santa Cruz del Quiché on the banks of the Chocoyá spring.

Pachitac Bathing Resort: On the shores of the Pachitac River, four miles west of Santa Cruz del Quiché near the place where the Pachitac meets the Chiquilaj River.

Lemon Lake: This small body of water is located near the road between Santa Cruz del Quiché and Chichicastenango. It offers refreshing scenery, cool temperatures and rustic recreation facilities.

Chicabal Lake: Located in the crater of the Chicabal Volcano in Quetzaltenango. It is a pleasant and easy trip.

Quetzaltenango Plains: In addition to its historical heritage, Quetzaltenango is known for its extensive plains and its beautiful, verdant scenery. Places to visit include the Urbina Plains, La Ciénaga, El Chirries and La Floresta. The municipal zoo is in La Floresta.

Momostenango Cliffs: Located in the Department of Totonicapán, near the town of Momostenango, this peculiar natural formation was created by the erosion of crystallized sand. It is a pleasant trip.

Chuimekana Thermal Baths: Located near San Miguel Totonicapán, these thermal springs contain medicinal properties.

Origin of the San Juan River: Located 15 miles from Huehuetenango in Aguacatán, you can visit the spectacular origin of this river which flows from the side of the Cuchumatanes Range.

EL PETÉN

The humid soil of this department is due to the rain and the lakes which are prevalent here. The long and slow running rivers include the San Pedro, Usumacinta, La Pasión, Santa Isabel, Machaquile, San Juan, Azul and El Subín. Most of these rivers are navigable. The many lakes in El Petén are small in size. Some are aligned to the geological pleats of the Arco de la Libertad. The same is true of the lakes of Mendoza, San Diego, La Gloria, Larga, Sacpuy, Petén-Itza, Yaxhá and Sachab. Other lakes such as Petexbatun and Del Tigre are not in the Arco, but form part of the El Petén's marshy environment and biological wealth.

ALTA VERAPAZ

Some of the rivers in this department are navigable. Most have spectacular waterfalls. Among them are the Cahabón, which is great for white water rafting, Polochic, Sebol and Chajmaic. The most accessible waterfalls are Sepemech, near the town of Cahabón, La Prensa, in San Juan Chamelco, Patal, in Tactic, Pelizimpec, in Cahabón, and Seamay, in Senahu. Lake Lachua is near the Chixoy Valley in Cobán and sits amidst some wonderful scenery.

Semuc Champey is considered to be the most beautiful place in Alta Verapaz. The area consists of a series of naturally terraced pools in limestone terrain branching off the Cahabon River. Nearby there is a cave through which the river runs.


BAJA VERAPAZ

Chorros, the bathing resort, is located in Rabinal as are two valleys with particularly impressive beauty. One, San Jerónimo, is watered by several rivers and dotted with historical sites. Urram, the other, can be best appreciated from the hill where the Cahyup archeological site is located.

EAST OF GUATEMALA CITY

Lake Guija: Located in the Department of Jutiapa, on the border with El Salvador, Lake Guija is a refreshing oasis in this very hot department. Nearby, are lakes Atescatempa, El Comendador, Pasaco, El Obajuelo and the Great Lake.

Los Chorros Bathing Resort: In San Pedro Pinula, Jutiapa, this resort is located on the shores of Los Chorros spring. Another resort with thermal springs is close by.

Pasabién Resort: This resort is located near Teculutlán in Zacapa on the Pasabién River. The water temperature is much cooler than that of the surrounding area since the waters flow from the Sierra de las Minas.

Ipala Lake and Volcano: This area, located in Chiquimula, is great for hiking. The lake is in the crater of the volcano.

VOLACANOES

Pacaya (8,373 feet): Located south of Lake Amatitlán. To climb the top, it takes four hours from Santa Elena Barillas, but only an hour and a half from San Francisco de Sales. The small McKenny crater, with its boiling lava, has been active since it formed in 1975. It takes approximately a half hour to climb and is an excellent spot from which to take photos.

Agua (12,325 feet): The peak of this volcano can be reached in five hours starting from Santa María de Jesús, ten miles from La Antigua Guatemala. The view from the top is magnificent! You can see almost all of the southern part of Guatemala including the western mountain ranges.

Acatenango (13,041 feet) and Fuego (12,346 feet): Both are located to the west of La Antigua Guatemala. Acatenango has two cones: the largest of the two is Acatenango, the other is Yepocapa. Fuego's cone was destroyed during the 1962 eruption, but it is still active and spews ash and sand clouds frequently. Starting at Acatenango, both volcanoes may be climbed during the same trip.

Atitlán (11,600), Tolimán (10,282 feet) and San Pedro (9,908 feet): These are the three majestic volcanoes which surround Lake Atitlán. Climbing Atitlán usually takes eight hours, Tolimán about six hours, and San Pedro about five. The climb is well worth the effort as the view of the lake, from any of their tops, is breathtaking.

CAVES

El Petén, being primarily a limestone region, has many caves - some which evidence occupation of Pre-Hispanic people. The best known are Ajtun Kan (the Serpent), Naj Tunich and Jobitzinaj.

There are a number of caves in Alta Verapaz, each with its own particular attraction. The most popular are Chisec, Lanquín, Esmeralda and San Juan Chamelco, all located in San Miguel Tucurú. Chuchuba is located in Santa María Cahabon, and Seamay in Senahú. La Candelaria Caves are also located in Chisec.

NATURAL RESERVES

Cerro Cahuí: It is located in the northeastern region of Lake Petén-Itza. Its dense jungle preserves the hydrological resources of the zone. This 1,608 acre area is the habitat of the ocellated turkey, a large bird with bright blue-turquoise feathers.

The geologic formation of the soil is limestone and is characterized by limestone hills. There are more than 60 species of trees, approximately 28 species of mammals and over 300 species of birds. Its principal rivers are the Ixpot and Ixlu. There are also intermittent streams such as El Tigre and El Pollo.

The reserve may be reached by air from Guatemala City flying to Santa Elena, Petén. BY land, take the Atlantic Route (CA-9) to Km 235, La Ruidosa. Then take the Northern Route (CA-B) to Km 500 to Santa Elena, El Petén. From there it is a 35-minute ride to the reserve. It may also be accessed by boat, crossing Lake Petén-Itza.

Chocón-Machacas: Located in the north central part of Río Dulce's El Golfete in Izabal. A 17,791 acre protected area created to preserve the manatee (sea cow) - the largest mammal in Guatemala. Its habitat is within the connecting lakes of the reserve and the Río Dulce, and between the Río Dulce and the Caribbean Sea.

Most of the protected area is broken and rugged terrain crossed by the Chocón Machacas and Cienaga rivers. There are also six beautiful lakes and five streams in the reserve. The area has at least 60 species of trees, approximately 180 migrating bird species, of the existing 300, and a large variety of mammals, fish, turtles, toads, frogs and iguanas. Río Dulce may be reached from Guatemala via the Atlantic Route (CA-9). At Km 235, La Ruidosa, take the highway (CA-13) to El Petén to the Río Dulce bridge at Km 276. At this point, a 45-minute boat ride towards Livingston brings you to the preserve - a distance of 7.5 miles. Chocón Machacas may also be reached via Puerto Barrios, Km 296 and then by boat to Livingston.

"Mario Dary Rivera" Quetzal Reserve: Located in Purulha, Baja Verapaz, the 2,849 acres of this protected area includes part of Sierra las Minas, the top of Carpintero Hill and the Quisis Mountain. It was created to protect and preserve the quetzal (Pharomachrus Mocinno), the national bird of Guatemala.

The principal asset of this reserve is its crystal clear water. Its dense foliage protects the Polochic River's high basin from erosion and favors an almost continuous presence of very humid mist.

The terrain of this reserve is broken and rugged, formed mostly by mountain ranges. There are many small, superficial and intermittent watersheds and four sub-watersheds which originate in the Cafetal and Colorado rivers.

Its jungle is stratified and contains many species of grass, bushes, ferns, moss, bromeliads and orchids as well as over 50 species of trees. Mammals are few, only about 25 species.

There are many facilities for the visitor. The reserve may be reached via the Atlantic Route (CA-9) to Km 35, El Rancho, and form there via CN-17 towards Coban, Alta Verapaz to Km 160.5.

Monterrico: A natural reserve with multiple objectives located in Monterrico, Taxisco, in the Department of Santa Rosa. Its primary purpose is the protection of mangrove forests and sea turtles.

This reserve is an interaction of subtropical ecosystems, estuaries of saline water and the seasonably flooded sea coast. Covering 6,918 acres, of which 657 are under water, it is habitat to a great variety of fish and crustaceans and a sanctuary for migrating birds.

Its principal river system became the Chiquimulilla Canal when it was created in 1895 in order to navigate 785 miles of marshland, lakes and pools parallel to the south coast. Flora includes mangroves, bulrushes, white water lilies and bromeliads. On the coastal sand banks there are fruit, medicinal and timber trees. A great variety of animals are found in the estuary during the summer: around 300 species of birds plus reptiles and a great variety of fish and crustaceans.

The reserve has three water trails and one on land. It may be reached via Escuintla using the Pacific Route, then taking the Pan American Highway (CA-2) to Taxisco and continuing on the road to La Avellana. It takes approximately two and a half hours to cover 76 miles. From Cuilapa, take the road to El Salvador (CA-1) to the intersection with National Highway 1 to Chiquimulilla taking the Pan American Highway to Taxisco and continuing on the road to La Avellana.

MUSEUMS

Museum of Natural History

7a Ave 6-81, La Aurora, Zone 13.

Open: Monday/Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Exhibits and specimens of natural flora and fauna as well as mineralogy and paleontology specimens.