EL PROGRESO, SAN AGUSTÍN ACASAGUASTLÁN

© Photos: Mayan Trail

Description: This municipal park is another destination for birdwatching in the Thorn Dry Scrub biome, where Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza (Defenders of Nature Foundation) has conducted bird monitoring studies of the reserve, and has reported more than a hundred different species of birds. The reserve has an extension of 93.9 acres where you can also observe typical fauna of this biome, for example the lizard (Heloderma horridum) known locally as scorpion or niño dormido (which means the “sleeping child”), a reptile that has been categorized as an endangered species.

Access: From Guatemala City take the CA-9 Highway until you reach the Municipality of El Jícaro (Km98), where you will need to stop at the Municipality headquarters to pay the entrance fee. From the Municipality of El Jícaro turn right and drive 3.7 miles more until you reach the Park, which is on a dirt road. You can also ask for more information about how to reach the Park at the Municipality headquarters.

Services: Lodging and restaurants in San Agustín Acasaguastlán or in Zacapa; restaurant services can be found also in El Jícaro.

Tourist facilities: There is a one mile trail of moderate difficulty.

Entrance fees/schedule: The entrance fees are US$ 1 per person, open daily from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Some species: Lesser Ground- cuckoo, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Russet-crowned Motmot, Turquoise-browed Motmot, White-lored Gnatcatcher, and Altamira Oriole.

Other features: The Municipal Park is near the Guaytán Archaeological Park, Guastatoya Aquatic Park and on route to other destinations within the area.

Contact: Municipality of El Jícaro
Telephone: (502) 7920 0623

Some especies: Lesser Ground-cuckoo, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Russet-crowned Motmot, Turquoise-browed Motmot, White-lored Gnatcatcher, Altamira Oriole.

| Lesser Roadrunner
(Geococcyx velox)