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VEGETATION
The reserve has different plant associations: dry forest, river-bank forests, reeds, aquatic vegetation, and mangroves. The mangrove swamps cover approximately 37% of the total area (Ruiz 1999) and are made up mainly of red mangrove, (Rhizophora mangle) and white mangrove (Lagunucularia recemosa).
The mangrove swamps are associated with reed (Cyperus sp.) beds. This vegetation provides shelter and food for many animals, including resident and migratory birds.
NATURAL SPOTS
• MANGROVE SWAMPS: On your boat rides you will have an opportunity to observe a great number of aquatic birds.
• LAGOONS: The Rama Verde and Matadero Lagoons are places of rest for thousands of migratory birds.
• BEACHES: You can enjoy the powerful waves of the Pacific Ocean or visit one of the small restaurants and bars along the seashore.
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Northern Jacana
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Brown Pelicans
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CONTACTS
For an organized tour, see
Tour Operators.
GETTING THERE
There are three alternatives:
1. Leaving Guatemala City take the Palín-Escuintla Highway (CA-9) to Puerto Quetzal, a toll of Q13.75 per car is charged. At Puerto Quetzal take the road to Iztapa. On the other side, take the paved road past Puerto Viejo towards Monterrico, 30 to 40 minutes. Even though this alternative is longer (146 kms) than the other two, it is considered the most advisable if you are traveling in your own car, since you travel along a good highway and the crossing time by ferry is shorter.
Site Map (Use the zoom)
2. From the capital take Highway CA-9 towards the Pacific and continue along the Palin-Escuintla toll expressway. Look out for a small sign indicating “Carretera a El Salvador”, there you turn left. Continue along the Pan American Highway (CA-2) until you reach Taxisco (Km. 106). Turn right towards the village of La Avellana, where the overland portion of about two hours ends (124 kms).
3. From Guatemala City, take the highway to El Salvador (CA-1) to Cuilapa (Km 62), the Departmental Capital of Santa Rosa. Look for the junction with Highway CA-2 towards Taxisco. In Taxisco turn left to the village of La Avellana. This route is almost the same length as the previous one (127 kms), but alternative #2 is along wider roads with fewer curves.
At the village of La Avellana, take a launch to Monterrico, Q5 per person. If you want to cross the Chiquimulilla canal with your vehicle, you can do so by ferry at a cost of Q75 (US$10). The three-kilometer boat ride through the canal takes 20 minutes; the ferry takes 25 to 30 minutes. On the other side taxis (pickups) are available to take you to your hotel for Q25 or Q30 (US$4).
Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes
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BIRDING SPOTS
There are four species of resident kingfishers and one migratory kingfisher on the South Coast of Guatemala. You can watch them along the canals and will note the relationship which exists between the size of the kingfishers and the height at which they perch on the mangrove trees. The size of the bird determines the height of the perch and the type of prey the bird can catch. The five species are well stratified within their habitat (R. Sigüenza, personal communication, 1998).
Close to the community of Agua Dulce, known locally as the “Venice of Guatemala,” you will see Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps). You will need to take a boat to get to this community located on a small island. Here grebes are easily seen including mating pairs and mothers with their young. Along the canals bordered by mangrove trees, you can watch different species of birds, including the Green Heron (Butorides virescens), the Great Egret (Egretta alba) and the Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus). You will also enjoy the American Coot (Fulica americana), ibises and a variety of herons. Looking skyward you can see different species of sea gulls and terns. Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), which are generally found alone, may also be seen. Other birds that are less common but very attractive because of their size and coloring are the Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), the Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) and the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias).
The Rama Verde and Matadero Lagoons
At the lagoons the abundance of birds increases. These two lagoons are among the best places to observe them. At the Rama Verde Lagoon you can see hundreds of American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) who come here to sleep. This migration occurs in October, when these birds come from the north to spend the winter here (M. Centeno, personal communication, 1999). During these months, you can also see birds like the Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria), the Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), the Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia), and perhaps a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in full chase, trying to trap a kingfisher or a Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). Some of the resident ducks, such as the Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) also live in these bodies of water.
The dry forest
Even though this area’s dry forest is being replaced by crops such as sesame and, to a lesser extent, watermelon and corn fields, the remainder continues to provide shelter to birds different from those living in the estuary. Here you can find the Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumonota superciliosa); the Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris), a very colorful migratory bird; the Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina); and the common Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila). You will also find a number of flycatchers (Pitangus sulphuratus, Megarynchus pitangua) and will see flying parrots (Amazona auropalliata and Amazona albifrons) and parakeets (Brotogeris jugularis and Aratinga canicularis).
Look for ficus trees (Ficus) which attract tanagers, flychatchers, and saltators searching for food. The “guamuchil” (Pithecolobium dulce), a tree used frequently for fences, has red sheaths, called “pig tails”, with seeds that fascinate the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus), other flycatchers and some tanagers. The “cenícero” tree (Piteselobium saman) attracts many insects and these, in turn, attract a number of birds such as the Common Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum) and some woodcreepers.
In the evening, at dusk between 6:00 – 6:30 pm, the Barn Owl (Tyto alba), the Mottled Owl (Strix virgata), the Northern Common Potoo (Nyctibius jamaicensis) and the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) start to sing. The Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are typical of the area and easy to spot between 6:00 and 7:00 am, especially during the dry season. They can be found among the palms or other accessible trees. You can imitate their song to facilitate locating them.
The beach
The beach is an ideal place to enjoy the waves, the sun and to watch some more birds. From the seashore you can see Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), the Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) and beach birds. At night you can enjoy seafood in the restaurants or get acquainted with some of the bars on the seashore. These are ideal places to chat with other visitors who come to enjoy the beaches of Monterrico.
Between June and December, green sea turtles, or “parlamas” (Lepidochelys olivacea), arrive on these beaches. The high season for them is during the months of August and September. Previously, “baule” turtles (Dermochelys coricea) arrived during October. The “baule” are the largest turtles in the world. According to G. Martinez, of the Association for Wildlife Rescue and Conservation, they can reach 2 meters in length and weigh about 1,500 pounds (personal communication 1999). There is a turtle breeding center in Monterrrico run by the Center for Conservationist Studies (CECON). On Saturdays in August through November, “parlamas” are released into the ocean. In addition to the sea turtle project, you can see demonstration projects for the reproduction of other endangered species, such as the green iguana and the caiman (R. González, Manager of the Monterrico Multiple Use Reserve, personal communication, 2006).
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SERVICES
Monterrico
The town has many services including restaurants, hotels, drugstores, telephone communications, shops, and transportation.
Transportation:
• Boatmen may be hired at the boat landing for rides through the canals. Prices are negotiable. Q40 or Q50 (US$7) is about the going rate for a 2 1/2-hour ride.
• There is a taxi service (very convenient if carrying luggage), which consists of a pick-up truck which will take you from the boat landing to your hotel and back for Q25 to Q30 (US$4) each way.
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LODGING
| HOTELS |
TELEPHONE |
RATES (SINGLE) |
FACILITIES |
| PUERTO VIEJO |
Pantanal
Km. 8.5 highway from Puerto
Viejo to Monterrico
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5895-2612
5918-4316
2476-3475
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275 (US$36)/night for 2 to 3 people. Q1,500 (US$196) bungalow for 6 people. Fri-Sun.
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P, Pa, R*, jacuzzi, massages, 2 rooms 5 bungalows with AC
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| MONTERRICO |
Dulce y Salado
1 km towards El Salvador
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5817-9046, 5579-8477
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Q150 (US$20) Weekdays
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P, R, Pa 8 rooms. Weekends double and triple rooms. Birdwatching tours available.
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Eco Beach Place
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5611-6637
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Q125 (US$16) Weekdays
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P, R, Pa, T Weekends triple rooms
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Hotel San Gregorio
hsangregorio@itelgua.com
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2238-4690
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Q250 (US$33)
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P, R, Pa, Ac,Internet More than 30 rooms
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Hotel Pez de Oro
www.pezdeoro.com
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2368-3684, 7920-9785
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Q300 (US$39)
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P, R(italian), Pa, 18 private cabins with fans, corridors with hammocks
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Café del Sol
www.cafe-del-sol.com
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5810-0821
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Q250 (US$33) double
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P, R, Pa
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| EL PUMPO |
Beach Hotel Utz Tzaba Km. 21.8
www.utz-tzaba.com
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5318-9452
7848-1479
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US$65 double Breakfast included
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P, Pa, R, jacuzzi, 10 rooms and 4 bungalows
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* P = pool; R = restaurant; Pa = parking; T = transportation to and from airport; AC = air conditioning (Using current exchange rate Q7.67/US$1)
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ATTRACTIONS ALONG THE WAY:
NATURE
Several species of birds may be seen on the electrical wires along the road to Taxisco, including the Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris) and the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) and herons are frequently spotted in flooded areas. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), and two types of vultures, Cathartes aura and Coragyps atratus, may be seen in sugarcane fields and cattle grazing pastures. If you are lucky you may see a Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus).
The Auto Safari Chapin is located at Km. 87.5 route to Taxisco. Admission is about Q49 or US$7. This small zoo has several species of animals including lions, gazelles, and rhinoceros. Boat rides are available on the lagoon which is a good place for bird watching. Migratory ducks, ibises, herons and some hawks may be seen on the boat ride. Along the zoo’s footpaths you can see other birds characteristic of the region including migratory and resident warblers the Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata) and the Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspisillata). Open 9:30 to 17:00 Tuesday through Sunday and holidays. For the best bird watching visit the park on weekdays and avoid the crowds on holidays.
ALTERNATIVES
Hawaii Nacional Park
Visit this reserve if you want to continue traveling through mangrove covered canals. Here you will find better preserved wildlife habitats and less traffic and people than in Monterrico. Besides being able to spot the majority of birds found in Monterrico, there is a turtle and caiman reserve in Hawaii run by the Association for Wildlife Rescue and Conservation (ARCAS). This organization develops environmental education programs in the town and has an iguana reproduction and reintroduction program. This area has few facilities for tourists.
Getting there: By boat, approximately one hour during the rainy season and one and a half hours during the dry season. You can also get there by land, by car or bus or walking along the beach.
SUGGESTIONS
• Wear lightweight clothing, preferably in light colors, a cap or hat and sun block.
• Use insect repellent.
• The best time to visit the area is between October and April or May, which are the months of the migratory season and when there is less rain.
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