ArchaeoBirding

Celebrate nature, culture, and impressive Maya architecture with an experience you will not soon forget from Martsam Travel. See the world the Mayans lived in, all while on a cultural adventure surrounded by forest that inhabits fantastic neotropical birds. Surround yourself in wildlife while exploring ancient Mayan archaeology and culture. On top of the fantastic birding expedition, you will also be exposed to a great variety of wildlife.

See flocks of colorful birds and see rare bird sightings of avifauna on your ArchaeoBirding Expedition, for example, the restricted Pink-headed Warbler (Cardellina versicolor), Azure-rumped Tanager (Tangara Cabanisi), Belted Flycatcher (Xenotriccus callizonus), Wine-throated Hummingbird (Atthis ellioti) and the Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus). Rare species can be spotted at different times of the year, such as the; Orange-breasted Falcon (Falco deiroleucus), Stygian Owl (Asio stygius), Unspotted Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius ridgwayi), and King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa).

Check out some of the expedition sites we will take you to that highlight avifauna while exploring the rich Mayan culture and historical architecture.

Lake Atitlan

A broad array of colors, spectacular landscape and deeply entrenched Maya culture on this location features an impressive and overwhelming experience for visitors and bird watchers.

Majestically evergreen volcanoes and turquoise blue waters decorate the spectacular Lake Atitlan, a birding hot spot based inside the GT015 IBA.

This important bird area has an elevation that goes from 500 to 3500 meters above sea level, with many habitats including farmland, coffee farms, Maya villages, montane broadleaf evergreen, and pine-oak woods, among others.

Antigua Guatemala

Nestled in a valley surrounded by volcanoes, this small town declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO is rich in Spanish influence and restored historical buildings dating back to the 17th century.

The city itself includes a wealth of ruins and churches that offer you to experience an immersion within Guatemalan culture and history.

Bird watching in Antigua Guatemala is the perfect opportunity to uncover the world of the birds of Guatemala, providing interesting bird watching activities within nature reserves and private properties placed few minutes from the central park or just 1 hour from Guatemala City.

Antigua Guatemala, Important Bird Area (IBA – GT016 ) is located mostly inside the volcanic chain around Antigua Guatemala (Agua, Acatenango, the active Fuego, and Pacaya volcanoes); the elevation of this exceptional birding destination ranges from 500 to 3,900 meters above sea level. The terrain is covered by diversified habitats, including farmland, forestry, coffee, avocado, medlar, and macadamia plantations, some field land, montane broadleaf, evergreen, and pine-oak forest, among others.

The Cuchumatanes

The Cuchumatane’s highest Central America non-volcanic mountain range is home to some of the exotic birds and wildlife in Guatemala.

This region is the habitat of the endemic Goldman’s Warbler. Here we will discover an exceptional natural world.

Todos Santos is among the list of regions most abundant in substantial biological diversity and endemism in the country, where several vulnerable species of flora and wildlife could be seen like Guatemalan Fir (Abies guatemalensis), Hartweg’s Pine (Pinus hartwegii), Huitum (Juniperus standleyii), Maya Mouse (Peromyscus mayensis) Cuchumatanes Salamander (Dendrotriton chujorum), among others.

Tikal National Park

In the rainforests of Guatemala, you will find the Mayan Site of Tikal and the Tikal National Park. See ancient temples such as Lost World (Mundo Perdido) Pyramid and the Temple of the Grand Jaguar.

Tikal is one of the best birding hotspots that inhabit more than 400 species of bird species that have been recorded in Tikal National Park, including 30 birds of prey and 60 migratory bird species.

The exuberant forest and the impressive temples present magic and mysticism and also work as a platform to observe birds. Due to the rarity and variety of species of fauna, especially birds, Tikal is considered an important bird area in Guatemala, situated within the Maya-Lacandon IBA – GT001, with an extension of 55,005 hectares.

Laguna del Tigre National Park

The largest National Park in Guatemala, the Laguna del Tigre National Park, covers an area of ​​337.899 ha. See the rare and endangered Scarlet macaw here in its natural habitat.

This destination is a heaven for nature lovers, located within the most extensive wetlands of central America at Laguna del Tigre National Park.

Having abundant wildlife including spider monkeys and howler monkeys (saraguate), occasionally tapirs, crocodiles, and a tremendous variety of birds, some of those we can mention the scarlet macaw, toucans, blue herons, parakeets, and many more

Yaxha

Formerly the center of pre-Columbian Maya civilization, Yaxha ruins date back to the Middle Preclassic period. The acropolis structures and temples now house magnificent wildlife as nature overtakes these marvelous feats of ancient architecture.

The city of Yaxha, being an important city for the ancient Maya culture and the jungles inside, are exceptionally well-preserved as well as the Yaxha Lagoon is among the most significant water systems inside the Maya Biosphere.

Yaxha has documented 150 birds’ species, 40 types of mammals, 14 amphibious, 45 reptiles, and 22 types of fish.

Iximche

What was once capital of the Kaqchikel Mayan kingdom for nearly a century, Iximche is still a hub of mystery for travelers who want to know why its magnificence was abandoned. Travelers here are intrigued by the temples and primitive Mesoamerican ballcourts.

Iximche is found in the central highlands of Guatemala at an elevation of 2,286 meters above sea level surrounded by a pine-oak forest that inhabits many exotic regional endemic species such as Pink-headed Warbler, Rufous-browed Wren, Mountain Trogon, Blue-throated Motmot, Rufous-collared Robin, and Green-throated Mountain Gem among others.

Copan

Very near to the border of Guatemala in Honduras, the Copan ruins were once the capital of Mayan civilization for four centuries.

Caracol

In the present-day Cayo District of Belize, Caracol displays magnificence and beauty of dozens of monuments to an ancient past. The site was abandoned in 859AD and had a long history of war with Tikal. See the beauty of Belize and natural wildlife while connecting with an ancient past.

The Dry Scrub Forest

The unique climate and fauna of the dry scrub forests make for captivating wildlife sightings. Animals are thriving in these forested neotropical areas, and over 200 species of birds can be seen here that you won’t find elsewhere in the world.

× Speak to Our Team Available on SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday