Which bird species do you think is the biggest attraction to visitors of your lodge (please only name one species)?
Azure-rumped tanager (Poecilostreptus cabanisi)
What is the name of your lodge, and since when has your lodge been operating?
Los Tarrales Natural Reserve Since 2002
How best to travel to your lodge?
Fly into Guatemala La Aurora International Airport (GUA) and travel with private transport to Los Tarrales. We can recommend service providers.
Collared Aracari
What kind of services – except for accommodation and food – does your lodge offer to visiting birders?
Guided tours, photo spots and blinds, banana bird feeders, lots of flowers planted for hummingbirds, kilometers of trails for birdwatching.
Crested Guan
What makes your lodge special?
Los Tarrales Natural Reserve is a hidden gem in Guatemala, offering an unparalleled blend of biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable living. Nestled on the slopes of Atitlán Volcano, it spans diverse ecosystems, from lush tropical forests to cloud-covered highlands, creating a sanctuary for over 350 bird species, including the elusive Horned Guan and the striking Resplendent Quetzal. What makes Los Tarrales truly special is its commitment to conservation through a self-sustaining model that integrates eco-tourism, sustainable coffee cultivation, and reforestation efforts. Visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature through birdwatching, hiking, and guided wildlife tours while directly contributing to the protection of this unique environment. Unlike other reserves, Los Tarrales seamlessly blends environmental stewardship with local community involvement, ensuring that both people and wildlife thrive. Its rich history, stunning landscapes, and dedication to preserving Guatemala’s natural heritage make it an extraordinary destination for nature lovers, researchers, and conservationists alike.
What are the 10 – 20 most interesting birds your lodge offers good chances to see?
1. Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus)
2. Azure-rumped Tanager (Poecilostreptus cabanisi)
3. Long-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis)
4. Pacific Parakeet (Psittacara strenuus)
5. Blue-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanura)
6. Rufous Sabrewing (Campylopterus rufus)
7. Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)
8. Blue-throated Motmot (Aspatha gularis)
9. Highland Guan (Penelopina nigra)
10. Pink-headed Warbler (Cardellina versicolor)
11. Yellow-naped Parrot (Amazona auropalliata)
12. Orange-fronted Parakeet (Eupsittula canicularis)
13. Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis)
14. Northern Emerald-Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)
15. Tody Motmot (Hylomanes momotula)
16. Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus)
17. Ornate Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus)
18. King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
19. Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens)
20. White-bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis leucogastra)
White-bellied Chachalaca
What is the best time to visit your lodge, and why?
November – March. During these months we have more bird species on site due to the migration schedules and we have very little rainfall allowing for more birdwatching!
Is your lodge involved in conservation efforts? If yes, please describe them.
Los Tarrales Natural Reserve has been committed to conservation since 1940. Los Tarrales integrates sustainable practices such as generating its own electricity through a hydroelectric turbine and maintaining award-winning forestry initiatives. The reserve’s conservation efforts are funded through sustainable agriculture—cultivating coffee, ornamental plants, and honey—and eco-tourism, offering guided tours that educate visitors on local wildlife and sustainable farming. By visiting Los Tarrales, guests directly support the preservation of these habitats and species for future generations.
Long-tailed Manakin
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in visiting your lodge?
Make a list of birds you want to see before arrival and discuss the list with your guide when you arrive. Based on that they can recommend what areas to visit and at what time of day. We of course recommend pants, long sleeve shirts, and bug repellent for more comfortable birding.
Do you have activities for non-birders? If so, please describe.
We do offer a number of activities such as a waterfall tour, ornamental plant tour, coffee tour, and more!
Pink-headed Warbler
If any reader of 10,000 Birds is interested in staying at your lodge, how can they best contact you?
The best way is through our website www.tarrales.com
Leave a Comment