Refugio del Quetzal

I've been going to my homeland for many years now, and I finally went to check out this place, literally 1 hr away from my home. AMAZING and yes, guaranteed sight of Quetzals, you just gotta be patient and let them come to you, and also don't go when it's raining 🌧 😀. Popular time to really see them is February, as that's when the babies have been born, and they all come out more into the light.

This place is absolutely worth visiting. Easily reached from Xela by public bus - bus to San Marcos from terminal Minerva (first bus leaves at 5am) and then bus to San Rafael (ask to get off at the refugio).

Guides are amazing and very enthusiastic about their job. They take the time to help you spot the quetzals and give lots of interesting facts.

Today we saw four quetzals including a male and female pair building their nest.

Really good example of positive tourism - this place is doing a great job to protect the natural habitat of the quetzals.

There is also a lovely walk through the forest which finishes at a small waterfall.

Beautiful place, didn't have a chance to see a quetzal but good info from the guides. Only complain is a lady that works there. I think she want me to give her all my info... I mean all because she doesn't believe is that we paid. So just ignore her, pay and go.

Saw several Quetzales. Beautiful lush rainforest with streams and waterfalls. Q50 for foreigners and Q20 for Quatemalans and extra for parking. Finally I can check it off my bucket list!

The refuge is very accesible, well maintained, and arranged so that Quetzales can nest. We were able to see two of them within 15 minutes of our walk taking a bath in a river. The guide was a volunteer and very knowledgeable about the refuge's flora and fauna. Amazing experience.

So many quetzales!!! Specially between November - May.

Wonderful experience. A must see for travelers to San Marcos.

Great place to see a quetzal bird!! And the area is like a nice jungle in the forest like the ones you see in the movies. There's a river there to. Will be back again here

The best place of Guatemala to see the Quetzal definely!!! It has parking lot, bathrooms and guides.

Extremely beautiful place!!!

Beautiful, great for birdwatching, beautiful trails

We saw it !!

Super cuul

El lugar precioso. Por su bosque nuboso. Sólo hacer el senderismo es una cosa espectacular. Si logras ver al majestuoso quetzal la visita es inolvidable

Muy bonito sendero, se camina re bien. Pudimos ver varios Quetzales! ❤💚

En estas fechas se puede apreciar, tan maravillosa ave Nacional, cómo lo es El Quetzal.

Experiencia Única Ver Nuestra Ave Nacional para uno de Chapin es algo Hermoso 💚 invitó a todos cuándo visiten Guatemala puedan venir a Conocer..

Hermoso lugar, las personas de Conap están al pendiente de que los animales sean respetados. Felicitaciones que lugar tan bonito

Lugar increíble para observar al ave nacional de Guatemala en todo su esplendor!

Es algo bonito por que puedes ir con toda tu familia a caminar y a observar a la ave nacional de nuestro paiss