Home
Guatemala
PLAN MY VISIT
Guatemala Destinations HotelsThings to do Transport Maps Vacations Team
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Guatemala
  3. Destinations
  4. Central Highlands

Biotopo del Quetzal, Guatemala

Biotopo de Quetzal, also known as Biotopo Mario Dary Rivera, is a 2,580-acre (1,044-ha) protected area that’s about an hour from Cobán. While you may or may not see the namesake bird, the reserve’s convenient location makes it a good place to stop and explore the region’s dense cloud forests.

Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
Biotopo del Quetzal Guatemala
←→

The reserve protects a vast swath of cloud forest that includes the endangered habitat of the quetzal. Although you’re more likely to see a quetzal in Sierra de Las Minas, your chances of spotting a quetzal in this area are still decent. Your best bet is to visit the park at sunrise and search for the birds near the aguacatillo tree, where they may be feasting on avocado-like fruits. The best time of year to see them is just before or after the nesting season in March or June.

Even if you don’t see one of these elusive birds, you will likely still enjoy a visit to Biotopo de Quetzal. The reserve’s dense forests have all kinds of epiphytes, ferns, mosses, lichens, bromeliads, and orchids. Trees here include oak, walnut, pepper, and cypress.

Only a small amount of the reserve is open to visitors. Two trails begin at the visitors center and complete a circuit through the forest. The Los Helechos (The Ferns) trail is 1.2 miles (2 km) long, while the Los Musgos (The Mosses) trail is about 2.5 miles (4 km) long. Both trails lead pass waterfalls where you can swim.

The reserve is named in honor of Mario Dary Rivera, an environmental campaigner who worked tirelessly to protect this area. Dary was a biologist and the rector of the University of San Carlos in 1981. He also founded the university’s Center for Conservation Studies (CECON). Dary helped to get the municipality of Salamá to donate the land where the reserve now stands. His assassination in 1981 led some to attribute his murder to the timber companies or the leftist Guatemalan Workers Party (PGT).

Today, San Carlos University’s Department of Conservation Studies (CECON) administers Biotopo de Quetzal.

Biotopo del Quetzal Things to Do

Biotopo del Quetzal | GuatemalaBiotopo del Quetzal
Searching for the Quetzal | GuatemalaSearching for the Quetzal
←→
Excellent!
Trustpilot Rating
Based on 705 reviews
Trustpilot
GUA and BZE a success!
Anywhere inc made another trip a delight. I can’t wait for my next Adventure with Anywhere!!
Mar 17, 2020
– Shawn Ng
Trustpilot Rating
Easy & Cost Effective
easy to use and transact, would definitely recommend to friends and family. thank you for making my experience while in ...
Mar 11, 2020
– Elle Mac
Trustpilot Rating
Enrico Estrada of Anywhere.com planned…Great Trip!!
Enrico Estrada of Anywhere.com planned an amazing trip for my husband and me to Belize, Guatemala and Costa Rica. The tr...
Jun 24, 2019
– FAITH HOF.
Trustpilot Rating
Book with Anywhere! Easiest decision you'll have to make
Booking with Anywhere was the best decision we made. Our trip was absolutely amazing, everything we wanted, plus everyth...
Apr 26, 2019
– Stephanie
Trustpilot Rating
Great company
Great company! They’re more than helpful and they make your trip a time to remember. The customer service is in a class ...
Apr 26, 2019
– Johnny
Trustpilot Rating
We were delighted with the quality of…
We were delighted with the quality of service. The staff were professional, courteous, punctual and reliable. We would ...
Apr 05, 2019
– Deepak D
Trustpilot Rating
The trip was a once in a lifetime…
The trip was a once in a lifetime experience. Anywhere.com did an exceptional job of planning this trip. It couldn't h...
Mar 30, 2019
– Vickie B.
Trustpilot Rating
This service is outstanding
This service is outstanding. We had changes to be made, and they were done so with ease. All of the excursions and dri...
Mar 23, 2019
– Linda A
Trustpilot Rating
Wonderful staff, amazing service.
I highly recommend this company! Everyone throughout the whole process was friendly, professional and so understanding a...
Mar 08, 2019
– Luanne
Trustpilot Rating
awesome company to deal with
awesome company to deal with. Everything they planned, including hotels and sightseeing tours, was wonderful. Every ve...
Mar 06, 2019
– Happy tra.
Trustpilot Rating
The Hidden Treasure of Travel Agency ( that shouldn't be anymore )!
Super pleasant, helpful, and knowledgeable staff! We plan to have them coordinate our next trips to the areas they ser...
Feb 15, 2019
– Mari
Trustpilot Rating
I would recommend anywhere to anyone…
I would recommend anywhere to anyone traveling anywhere. I was treated exceptionally well with professionalism and kindn...
Feb 14, 2019
– Steven
Trustpilot Rating
Best vacation of my life
Best vacation of my life! I told them the type of vacation and experiences I wanted and they somehow found the most perf...
Feb 08, 2019
– Lisa
Trustpilot Rating
This is our second vacation with…
This is our second vacation with Anywhere. As the first time, the use experience of the website was easy, our travel pla...
Feb 07, 2019
– Rosemary
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere did a fantastic job planning…
Anywhere did a fantastic job planning my vacation. My family loves to travel and this was one of the best trips we’ve ta...
Jan 11, 2019
– Elena
Trustpilot Rating

Let's Dream Together

Share your bucketlist to get inspiration and local connections.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.

Guatemala Vacations
  • Adventure
  • Archaeology
  • Bird-watching
  • Community
  • Family
  • Nature
  • Rainforest
  • Romantic
  • Sustainable
Highlights
  • Mayan
  • Unique & Authentic
  • Relaxation
  • Mountains
  • Rainforests
  • Lakes
  • Volcanoes
  • Indigenous
  • Colonial
PLACES TO GO
  • Antigua
  • Tikal
  • Peten
  • Panajachel
  • Languin
  • Chichi
  • Quetzaltenango
  • Pacific Slope
  • Quirigua
  • Acantenango Volcano
  • Pacaya Volcano
  • Todos Santos Cuchumatanes
THINGS TO DO
  • Nature Walks
  • Birdwatching
  • Ruins
  • Archeology
  • Hiking
  • Coffee Farms
  • Horseback Riding
Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
Trustpilot "Excellent"
Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

© 2023 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy