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Where the limit is nature’s imagination.
This beautiful and mountainous land begins at the lake front of Laguna Lodge and sprawls behind the lodge to escarpments and high altitude tropical dry forest. Laguna Lodge is the gateway to 100 acres of safe walking on this bio diverse land. Situated in Tzantizotz which in local Kaqchikel is Point of Bats, it begins at the lakes edge at 1,565m (5135ft).
The top of the reserve is at 1,963m (6,440ft) with some of the last remaining primary forest on the lake. On some days the top is bathed in clouds. Well maintained paths for every fitness level traverse old Mayan trails. Palm thatched resting pavilions offer panoramic views of the entire lake.
The trails encompass large cliffs and ancient Mayan ceremonial rocks. To protect the biodiversity of this unique ecosystem native flora is replanted. Organic coffee is grown on the lower slopes of the reserve.
Bird watchers will see a plethora of birds many of them being endemic. For sports lovers there are rock cliffs for rappelling and cliff jumping. Swimming is safe and deep and the lake can be explored with kayaks, canoes, fins and masks. An interpretation room may be visited before setting of on the trails.
Laguna Lodge’s Logo is the plumed serpent, called Quetzalcoatl in ancient Nahuatl and Q’ukumatz in Quiche. This represents the resplendent Quetzal which from a distance looks like a bright green snake flying through the air. The feathers of the Quetzal were worn by the ruling elite as a sign of there association with the god Quetzalcoatl. In Mayan mythology Quetzalcoatl is the god of nature, life, light, maker, heart of the lake and sea.
The Quetzal was named a symbol of conservation by pioneer Guatemalan conservationist Professor Mario Dary Rivera. In 1979 he created the first quetzal reserve in the virgin cloud forest of Baja Verapaz. He was assassinated while protecting what was left of the nation’s natural habitat.
Birds Spotted On Laguna Nature Reserve
Cayaya Birding Hot Spot
Click here to download the Laguna Lodge bird list