Can I expect to see wildlife in Guatemala?
Yes. Guatemala has an incredible amount of biodiversity. In fact, fourteen of the 38 Holdridge Life Zones are found here.
What will you see? That depends on where you go and what time of year it is. In general, you have a great chance of spotting a range of birds. Guatemala is home to over 700 different species of birds, the most spectacular of which are the resplendent quetzal and Petén ocellated turkey. A number of large cats also live here, including the jaguar, jaguarundi, puma and margay, although you'll need loads of luck to spot one of these ellusive critters.
Monkeys are often seen in Guatemala. You might hear the cry of howler monkeys or see spider monkeys playing in the trees. Smaller animals are often easy to spot, including white-nosed coatis and kinkajous.
Along Guatemala's Pacific and Caribbean coasts it's possible to spot sea turtles, most notably in the town of Monterrico.
Finally, there are lots of reptiles and amphibians in Guatemala. These include crocodiles and the red-eyed tree frog. It's especially important to be on the lookout for snakes whe you're hiking, as there are a number of deadly snakes that live in Guatemala. These include fer-de-lances, coral snakes, and tropical ratlesnakes.
Related Questions
- What should I wear or bring to a national park in Guatemala?
- Are Guatemala's parks and reserves well developed?
- Are national parks and reserves safe in Guatemala?
Caribbean Lowlands
The Caribbean Lowlands are unlike the rest of Guatemala. The regional landscape is composed of jungle coastland, a river valley, and Guatemala’s largest lake. The Caribbean town of Lívingston is an enclave for the Garífuna people and is culturally distinct from the rest of Guatemala. What’s more, some of the finest Mayan stelae can be seen at the site of Quiriguá.
Pacific Slope
The Pacific Slope has long been passed over by travelers for other Guatemalan destinations, as it lacks the pristine white-sand beaches that border other Central American countries. In recent years, however, interest in this region has been building. Puerto Quetzal now sees regular arrivals of cruise ships (the passengers dock and take day-trips inland), and the coastal town of Iztapa is becoming known as the sailfishing capital of the world.
Monterrico
Monterrico is a tranquil town along Guatemala’s Pacific coast. This formerly sleeping fishing village is becoming increasingly popular with travelers, many of whom come here to see nesting sea turtles.
