QUETZALTENANGO, MUNICIPIO DE EL PALMAR

Description: Comprising 345 acres, it is located between 2297 to 2789 feet above sea level and close to the Santa María and Santiaguito volcanoes. The Reserve and Farm is still in the process of being declared as a natural reserve; the farm area dedicates itself to various agricultural activities, and the Reserve to the protection of the Subtropical Humid Forest remnants present in the area. The local families that work in the farm and the reserve benefit both from agriculture and tourism activities.
Services: Lodging and restaurants (reservation recommended), restrooms. Tours include canopying and lunch.

Access: Take the CA-2 highway, from Escuintla get to Retalhuleu until you reach Km180, where you will make a right towards San Luis community, once you get to San Luis, drive another 6.2 miles and turn right, where you will find a sign that reads Patrocinio. From there drive on a dirt road, that will lead you to the entrance of the reserve.
Tourist facilities: There are a variety of trails in the reserve, which are ample and in good condition. There is also an observation tower and bird feeders.

Fees and schedule: US$10 per person for a birdwatching tour of four hours; other activities have an additional cost (verify prices at their website).

Other features: Coffee tours, visits to Santiaguito and Santa María volcanoes, canopy tour and natural pond-pools. It is also close to Tak’alik Ab’aj Archaeological Park, Finca Las Panchas and recreational parks Xocomil and Xetulul (IRTRA).

Contact: Telephones: (502) 7771 4393, 5203 5701;
www.reservapatrocinio.com

Some Species: White-bellied Chachalaca; Highland Guan; Common Black-Hawk; Collared Forest-Falcon; Bat Falcon; Pacific Parakeet; Yellow-naped Parrot; Squirrel Cuckoo; Violet Sabrewing; Blue-tailed Hummingbird; Cinnamon Hummingbird; Scaled Antpitta; Masked Tityra; Long-tailed Manakin; Red-legged Honeycreeper; Prevost’s Ground-Sparrow; Altamira Oriole; Spot-breasted Oriole.

| Prevost’s Ground Sparrow 
(Melozone biarcuatum)