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VEGETATION
Coffee, ornamental plants, and honey production cover 25 percent of the plantation, while forests cover the slopes of the rest of the plantation. The exuberant vegetation varies from Subtropical Moist Forest in the lower regions to Cloud Forest closer to the volcano’s summit.
NATURAL SPOTS
• FOREST: Natural forests surround the plantation and slopes of the Atitlán Volcano.
• COFFEE TOUR: The coffee plantation, with its shade trees, and the processing plant are always available for visits.
• ORNAMENTAL PLANTS: A path will take you through the ornamental plants and tropical flowers.
CONTACTS
To arrange a visit to the plantation, contact: tarralesreserve@intelnet.net.gt
GETTING THERE
There are two alternatives:
1. Along the Pacific Coast: From Guatemala City, take Highway CA-9 and the Palín-Escuintla Expressway, where you pay a toll at Km. 52. A small car pays Q13.75. Then, take Highway CA-2, which goes through Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa. At Cocales (Km.113), turn right toward Patulul and San Lucas Tolimán. The plantation entrance is located at Km. 164.2. There is a sign on the left side of the road. Site Map
2. Through the highlands: From Guatemala City take Highway CA-1, which goes through Chimaltenango. On the left (at about Km. 70), there is a turn to Godínez. This highway (National Road 11) goes through Patzún. When you reach Godínez, take the road that goes around Lake Atitlán to San Lucas Tolimán. At the bifurcation San Lucas Tolimán-Cocales, turn toward Cocales. Los Tarrales Reserve is located at Km. 164.2. There will be a sign on the right.
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Long-tailed Manakin
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Laughing Falcon
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BIRDING SPOTS
La Rinconada Trail (800–900 meters above sea level)
Two of the interesting birds to look for on this trail are the White-eared Ground-Sparrow (Melozone leucotis), which is not widely found in Guatemala, and the Prevost’s Ground-Sparrow (Melozone biarcuata).
Those who enjoy seeing birds may begin walking the trail at the cabins. The walk is 5 to 6 hours long (between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m.). Those who just want to enjoy a hike through the lush vegetation should count on a 3½ to 4 hour walk. Look out for the Blue-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanura), and Blue-thoated Goldentail (Hylocharis eliciae).
During March and April, you may also see the unusual courtship of the Long-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis). One male sits on a branch and waits until another one comes to sing and attract the female. The males sing opposite each other, so each has a view of the female when she descends. When the female arrives, they start to dance along a horizontal branch. One jumps and hovers over the branch. When he lands the other one jumps up and hovers (Josué de León Lux, Tarrales guide, personal communication, 2007).
Look out for the White-bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis leucogastra) within the vegetation. During the first hours of light of the day you may hear the Highland Guan (Penelopina nigra), locally known as “cayaya.”
Las Pavas Trail (700-1,000 meters above sea level)
This trail was named in 1950 after the large numbers of “pavas” or guans found here. The dense vegetation shelters birds from the Cracidade family such as “Pajuil” Highland Guan (Penelopina nigra) and the “Pava Corolita” Crested Guan (Penelope purpuracens).
The hike through Las Pavas takes between 3½ and 4 hours. If you begin the walk at the cabins the trip is about 6 km long (7 hours). Be sure to stop at the open area at the entrance. This is an ideal place to see many birds including the “Guaco” or Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinans), Masked Tytira (Tytira semifasciata), and Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) Your head won’t stop moving from one side to the other for some time.
Some cloud forest species, like the Bushy-crested Jay (Cyanocorax melanocyaneus) and the Spotted Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus dryas), come to this trail. Seeing this last one is not common, so consider yourself lucky if you do.
While admiring the colorful orchids, of the genus Cattleya, found along the trail, you may hear the characteristic song of the Gray-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) and the White-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucosticta). The Smoky-brown Woodpecker (Veniliornis fumigatus) makes a continuous sound with its beak. This bird is very small and difficult to see.
Along this trail you may also observe the White-eared Ground-Sparrow and the colorful Long-tailed Manakin.
Road to the Lagoon
This path is easy and charming. Look for swallows on the electrical cables over the patios used to dry coffee.
Parakeets like the Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis) and Orange-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga canicularis) may fly overhead. Watch for the Ivory-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhyncus flavigaster) and Golden-olive Woodpecker (Piculus rubiginosus). You may also see the White-bellied Chachalaca above a tree.
Stop in front of the Heliconias sp. (a 2 to 3 meter plant with bright red pendent flowers) to look for hummingbirds. The hum of these birds is often enough to make people stop and look. The Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila), and the Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus) enjoy visiting these flowers.
The “cushin” tree is used for shade in coffee plantations. Its branches are covered with hairs and its flowers attract both bees and hummingbirds. Different species hover near the flowers including the Blue-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanura), the Blue-throated Goldentail (Hylocharis eliciae), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris), and White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora), which previously had only been reported in Guatemala’s Atlantic slope.
You must be very attentive in order to find the Northern Potoo (Nyctibius jamaicensis) because of the way it mimics tree branches. You may want to ask your guide for help. During incubation these birds may remain in the same tree for some time.
This forest is also home to quick mammals like deer.
Cloud Forest Trail (1,500–2,450 meters above sea level)
At 2:45 a.m. the day begins with a cup of coffee. A few minutes later you begin the ascent in a four-wheel- drive vehicle to the Vesubio plantation. (You may take your own car and save the cost of transportation.) The trip is about 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you stop to see nightjars, it may take a little longer. At 4:00 a.m. the 4 to 5 hour trek begins. If you are lucky you may spot a Pink-headed Warbler (Ergaticus versicolor) or a Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo (Vireolanius melitophrys); neither one is very common. You may also see or hear the characteristic Blue throated Motmot (Aspatha gularis). The area surrounding Vesubio is a good place to watch the Azure-rumped Tanager (Tangara Cabanisi). These lands, filled with ferns and epiphytes, are also home to Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno). According to a local guide named Gerardo, they are more likely to be seen in February and September when there is abundant food for them.
Along the path, at an altitude of 2,450 meters above sea level, you may find the Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus). They may descend to 2,300 meters when trees are covered with fruit to eat. The summit of Atitlán Volcano is at 3,500 meters. This forest shelters animals like the “león de montana” (Felis concolor), which feeds on deer and small mammals.
The area surrounding the cabins is also a good place for birwatching. The Black-and-White Owl (Ciccaba nigrolineata) is a resident here and once it perches in a tree it doesn’t go too far away. Look for it early in the morning or in the afternoon.
Like the Pink-headed Warbler, the Fan-tailed Warbler (Euthlypis lachrymose) is a rare find. Others though are abundant during the migration season. Some common species are: the Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum), Yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia), Magnolia warbler (Dendroica magnolia), and Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia).
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SERVICES
Los Tarrales Reserve:
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FACILITIES |
La Casona
Los Tarrales Eco-lodge
Las Chachas Rooms
La Casa del Recibidor
Tree house
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US$38/person/night
US$32
US$25
US$27
US$22
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- Two suites in the administration building.
- Three rooms; two share bathroom. With living room, dinning room, small porch.
- Three rooms. One with adjoining rooms and adjoining kitchenette.
- Two doubles.
- Two tree houses each with a hammock.
Private bath with hot water in all except when specified. Electricity generated by small hydroelectric generator.
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Meals
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US$9 (breakfast)
US$11 lunch and dinner
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You can sample delicious tropical fruit and try chicken prepared with a Guatemalan touch. Good food. All you can drink coffee.
Breakfast may be prepared to go.
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Las Pavas Trail
La Rinconada Trail
Horned Guan Tour (or Cloud Forest Tour)
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US$12/person
US$12/person
US$65/person
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Rainforest from 700 to 1,000 m
Shade-grown coffee plantation and montane forest
Path to the cloud forest in search of the Horned Guan. Transportation cost US$45 (maximum 4 persons)
You must be accompanied by one of their tour guides. Josué is an excellent birdwatching guide!
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Coffee Tour
Ornamental Plants Trail
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US$10
US$12/person
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Visit to the coffee plantation and processing plant
Trail through ornamental plants and tropical flowers
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ATTRACTIONS ALONG THE WAY:
If you take the highland route: the road from Godínez to the Pachuj Plantation gives you the view of Lake Atitlán and its three volcanoes. You can park your car along the road and take pictures, for which the best time is early in the morning or in the afternoon. Some birds, such as the Rufous-collared Thrush (Turdus rufitorques) and the White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi) live along the road. If you drive slowly, you might observe the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) perched on a tree.
Along the coast road you will find sugar cane and rubber plantations, and cattle ranches. It is possible to see the White-fronted Parrot (Amazona albifrons), the Yellow-naped Parrot (Amazona auropalliata), and the Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus), as well as many other species of the Pacific lowlands.
ALTERNATIVES
Lake Atitlán
The lake is surrounded by three volcanoes and by the charm and color of twelve Kakchiquel and Tzutuhil towns. A strong wind known as the Xocomil causes very choppy waves on the lake. In Panajachel you can find boats that take you to all the lakeshore towns.
SUGGESTIONS
• The best time to visit Los Tarrales is from November to March.
• Do not forget your hat, to protect yourself against the sun, and take insect repellent.
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