BIOTOPO OF QUETZAL

Quetzal Biotope and surroundings

Proceed as with any of the following photos you want to see them bigger.

The map corresponds to an extracted Google Earth satellite photo, indicating the approximate position of the entrance to Biotopo, the CA -14 highway, some hotels, Waterfall Rubel Chaim, etc.

Approximate coordinates of the entrance to the biotope:

Latitude: 15.212789

Longitude: -90.216367

Other information of interest:

Elevation: between 1,500 and 2,300 m

Location: Purulha, Baja Verapaz

Capital Distance: 160 kms Approximate

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El Quetzal Biotope or Mario Dary Biotope is a rainforest reserve dedicated to the protection of the bird symbol of Guatemala: Quetzal.

To reach this reserve take the road to the Atlantic, CA -9, and at the place called El Rancho, about 86 km , cross bound for Coban. Shortly thereafter, upon reaching 160 Km biotope found the left side of the road. If you come from the city, well worth staying very close to the biotope and spend one or two nights as there are plenty of places to inspect around.

Two hotels excel in the area near the biotope, more and more affordable, but they have the best facilities and amenities. One is the traditional Posada del Quetzal, with little more than 30 years of existence, where bungalows comfortable double or family rooms for 4 or more people is. The other is the Hotel Ram Tzul with similar characteristics also provides variety of attractive rooms for accommodation. Both offer the typical food of the region as it is the traditional Kak Ik. Apart from these two hotels should also mention the lodgings Biotope and called the Ranchitos Del Quetzal, also located very close to the Quetzal Biotope and visible from the roadside. For those keeping sight the main purpose of the quetzal, a place called Los Ranchitos is reputed to be the one with more likely to locate it without much effort.

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There are two trails that tourists can explore a small part of what the book Biotope. The short route (Ferns) and approximately 2 kilometers long route (Mosses) 4 kms . Both are fairly well laid out, maintained and gravel floors less slippery to walk the treatment. Given the above feature can walk the trails without guides, but if desired can be managed in the visitor center a guided tour. During the tour there are breaks, health and variety of explanatory labels providing the basic features of a rainforest.

The official name of this reserve is University Biotope Conservation Quetzal Mario Dary Rivera Lic. Its name indicates the reason for this reservation: the national bird of Guatemala, the quetzal, revered since the time of the Mayans. Maybe this is not the most suitable biotope for the quetzal sighting point, but undoubtedly is the site of choice for general appreciates the flora and fauna of a cloud forest. Biotope forms part of a Cloud Forest Biological Corridor which starts at Km 144 and ends at 172, route to Coban, the CA -14.

Entire corridor Cloud Forest seems to be caused by the evaporation of the not too distant Lake Izabal, which is the factor that provides water essential key to this region.

A typical and very curious phenomena that characterize much of the region´s true, during the months of October to January is the Chipi Chipi- popularly called , that is nothing more than cold weather , overcast with intermittent drizzle throughout the day .

Tree ferns are a spectacle in the biotope, hence the reason why one of the two paths is called the Ferns. In the photos you can see some of these plants are popularly in Guatemala are called warblers or shut.