biotopo del quetzal

After being told that the Quetzal usually stays up in the forest canopy and that seeing one is considered very lucky, we saw one sitting in a tree right above our car in the parking lot! The hike is beautiful and I felt like I was walking through a dream. The cloud forest is the most peaceful place I've ever been and I was filled with a sense of calmness. Beautiful place!

The Biotopo is a lovely spot for an easy hike through the cloud forest.The vegetation is truly spectacular. We did not see any wildlife, but luckily did see a quetzal the next morning after spending the night at the Ranchito nearby. Bring water and be sure to tour the little museum at the end.

Wow! I have no words to say about our experience hiking this place. It was really nice hike the majestic mountain where lots of "Quetzales" (Guatemalan National Bird) stays and reproduce. The place is really quiet, safe, and it is like hiking at the jungle, since it is a tropical forest. The prices to hike there are really inexpensive, also there is security all times.

very nice place one of the only place you cane see a quetzal lovly wolke in the forest and if you are very looky you will see the the staf will help you as thay cane

We enjoyed our visit at the Biotopo very much. We saw a toucan and many, many ferns and other plants. We had the privilege to travel with a biologist (specialized in ferns) so we got a lot of information, but even without that the signs are very informative (although in Spanish). The diversity is incredible and memorable, you are definitely missing out if you drive by this place ...

About an hour south of Coban is the preserve known as Biotopo. This is a well-maintained park in the cloud-forest where one can hike (climb) and see trees, plants and possibly the animals of the ecosystem. We enjoyed the strenuous climb, the somewhat informative signs (in Spanish), and the hot but misty climate. Although we did not see the elusive quetzals, we were impressed by the bromeliads and the epiphytes.

Take note, the place is not actually in Coban!!! But is very worth to visit. If you like hiking trails and the rainy forest, and enjoy the sounds of nature, this is the place to visit. Cold and humid weather, but nothing a jacket can't solve. The place opens from 7:00 to 16:00 hours. Several hotels near. You can camp in the biotope also.

About an hour and ten minutes south of Coban by chicken bus. Definitely worth a stop if your passing through, but if you have any desire to see the quetzal, i suggest you stay next door at los Ranchitos (listed in LP as parque ecologico Gucamatz) they also have some hiking trails, though not quite as manicured as in the biotope.The morning we were leaving the young daughter (of the owners) came knocking in our door. She had a big smile on here face and i thought she was saying "que pasa". When she started to flap her arms, it became very clear (in my foggy morning stupor) that the quetzal was hanging out near the restaurant. Managed to get a few awesome pics, before jumping on a chicken bus and continuing in our way.

This is a fun high altitude rain forest with a wide variety of fauna. The trails are rustic, but the place is a must see during a trip to Coban. If you get up early enough in the morning, you may even catch a glimpse of a Quetzal.

It is cold and damp, you can get really tired but it's defiitely worth to stop. They have to trails, the short (2 km) and the long one (4 km). I walked the short trail, there were like 4 waterfalls, the next bigger than the other. Beautiful, clean air.

While this is hardly the place for hard core hikers to get their fix, there are two loops you can walk in the park. One is 2 km long and the other 4 km. We didn't see any of the famed quetzales that day, but it is a beautiful place to stop and visit. There is a swimming hole and changing rooms. They have a small museum that talks about the quetzal and the park itself. Well worth the visit.

This park is the home of the Guatemalan National Bird, the Quetzal. We didn't see it but apparently it has been sighted by many people this year. It's a beautiful bird - there is a preserved one in the park office. It would be magnificent to see, but the nature preserve itself is also a beautiful place with other unique wildlife, some pretty waterfalls, and orchids. It's not a very difficult walk. We came out in less than 2 hours. It's true, this park is not in Coban, but we came here from our hotel in Coban (about half an hour drive) and I think it makes it easier to plan your trip when you find all the surrounding sites on one page. I wouldn't have even seen this as an attraction if it had been under another town.

Although is a beautiful place to walk and have a wonderful time and enjoy the nature, whoever wtote this post, put a wrong address. El Biotopo del Quetzal is not located in Coban, Alta Verapaz, its on the way to Coban but is actually located in the Municipio of Purulha, Departament of Baja Verapaz.. Please make the respective correction.. Let's don't give all the credit to Coban. Thanks

Aunque dicen que es difícil lograr ver al quetzal, tuvimos la dicha y bendición de ver a una hembra desde que entramos. Otros visitantes aseguraron haber captado a la pareja. El biotopo cuenta con su propio museo y con dos senderos, uno largo y uno corto. El camino está lleno de árboles, riachuelos y caídas de agua... es como caminar a través de la montaña. Una experiencia muy agradable si uno gusta del turismo ecológico. Si tienen suerte, podrán observar al ave nacional de Guatemala. Si no, podrán verlo en el museo del lugar. Un par de horas son suficientes para disfrutarlo y el precio es bastante bajo.

Es un lugar para disfrutar de la caminata donde podras ver abundante selva y al finalizar tu recorrido podras darte un chapuzon en las heladas aguas de un rio cercano que tiene unas bonitas cataratas. El quetzal lo pude ver en el parqueo del lugar y me parecio una experiencia increible. Recomiendo a las autoridades de este sitio que para hacer mas agradable el paseo coloquen columpios ecologicos y tambien mas información en el recorrido para hacer qu el visitante quiera regresar.