Searching for the Quetzal

You do not have to go far from Quetzaltenango to explore one of the sanctuaries of Guatemala’s national bird. This tour takes you to the Refugio del Quetzal, a reserve that is about 1.5 hours outside Quetzaltenango.

The reserve is set an an elevation of around 6,000 feet (1,830 m) and is populated with humid forest. The forest here protects a number of birds, including the Azure-rumped Tanager, Blue-throated Motmot, Emerald-chinned hummingbird, and Emerald Toucanet.

The reserve supports a population of resplendent quetzals. The breeding season, which ranges from February to May, is the best time of year to see them. Guides accompany travelers along a short, 0.5-mile (1 km) loop trail through the forest (there are also smaller trails that lead to other spots in the reserve that you may hike on too). You're given binoculars to help you spot the birds.

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.