Embedded Files
Guatemala is very diverse biologically, culturally, and agriculturally. It is teeming with unique and beautiful wildlife and almost 50% of its human population self identifies as Mayan, speaking 23 different languages! (Not to mention the Garifuna and Xinca cultures!) The birding is fantastic in this coffee-producing region with many shade coffee farms that are home to some of our own wintering migrants, as well as resident species. We'll be able to see and learn about some of this biodiversity and cultural diversity while enjoying beautiful scenery and award-winning coffee! Save room in your luggage for colorful souvenirs!
Pink-headed warbler photo credit, Daniel Mérida
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Guatemala City (GUA), have dinner and orientation. Spend night in Guatemala City.
Day 2: Fly to Huehuetenango* for birding with expert guide, Daniel Mérida (of Trovadan Tours), where we hope to see the adorable pink-headed & Goldman's warblers. We will stay overnight just outside of Huehuetenango at a coffee finca with lodging.
*Note: This is a small, prop plane flight lasting about 40 min.
Day 3: We will visit a coffee finca of members of the Asociación Unión Pequeños Caficultores (Union of Small Coffee Producers Association, or UPC in its Spanish acronym). We will bird there with Daniel, tour the coffee processing facilities to learn how coffee is produced, and have lunch and talk with the members of the cooperative. Coffee will be provided for tasting. We return to Huehuetenango for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Early birding before leaving (optional), then head to the Lake Atitlán region where we will explore San Juan la Laguna before arriving in San Lucas Tolimán just in time for dinner and sunset at the lake.
Day 5: Up early for birding at Rey Tepepul Nature Reserve with our expert guide, Everilda Buchán. After lunch, we'll have time to rest and explore San Lucas Tolimán or chill by the lake. That evening we'll have dinner with representatives from Bird Zone Atitlán, a local bird guide group that formed to promote birding tourism and conservation, and learn more about their work and how important it is for local conservation and community development. We'll stay the night in San Lucas Tolimán.
Day 6: Up early again to bird at Finca Los Tarrales just south of where we're staying. We'll have coffee upon arrival and will eat lunch there before leaving. After that, we head to Antigua, Guatemala's former capital for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Breakfast and birding at Finca El Pilar with Everilda (we can't let her go!). Return to Antigua for lunch and debrief, then a free afternoon and relaxation for the rest of the day. Antigua is a great place to explore, eat, and buy souvenirs! (It has the world's best brownies!) That evening we'll have our going away dinner and stay in Antigua our last night.
Day 8: After a leisurely breakfast, we'll head to Guatemala City to say goodbye to the Land of Eternal Spring.
Date: January 18-25, 2026
Cost: $3,995 per person double occupancy; $4,645 per person single occupancy (international flights are not included)
Registration: $2,000 deposit due by Dec 1, 2025
Difficulty level: Moderate-High
We will be walking up and down steep hills on uneven terrain.
Limit: 8 people
Yellow-rumped warbler (Goldman's) photo credit, Daniel Mérida
Page updated
Report abuse