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Updated: July 2008
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Updated: July 2008
With your visit to Los Tarrales you will support the conservation of a beautiful piece of earth and the well-being of the local people living within the reserve. Los Tarrales was declared protected area by the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) in 2000. The reserve protects natural habitat at the southern slope of Atitlan Volcano. 
The Spanish word tarral means amount of bamboo stands. Los Tarrales Reserve was named after the abundant bamboos, occuring in various species in the area.  Cultivations of coffee and ornamental plants in the zone of multiple use provide work to local people. |
Los Tarrales Reserve is located at Atitlan volcano in southern Guatemala. The area protects pristine forest from the upper volcano slope at 3,000 m (9,800 ft) down to 700 m (2,300 ft). Cloud forest occurs above 1,800 m (5,900 ft), and below this elevation occurs humid broadleaf forest, interspersed with coffee plantations. Mean annual rainfall is 3,400 mm. The reserve protects a watershed which provides drinking water to several communities.
Los Tarrales is part of the national network of protected areas, administered by CONAP (National Council of Protected Areas), and member of the Association of private protected areas in Guatemala.
Los Tarrales Reserve is an important area for conservation in Guatemala. 
It is home to several globally threatened and regional endemic bird species like Horned and Highland Guan, Azure-rumped Tanager, and Pink-headed Warbler. Los Tarrales is monitoring bird population in collaboration with the PROEVAL RAXMU Bird Monitoring Program. (More about birds at Los Tarrales).
Because hunting is not permitted in Los Tarrales since three generations, it is easy to see animals like White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), White-bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis leucogastra) and Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens). Also signs of the Puma (Puma concolor), droppings and scraches, are seen frequently. To see the cat requires some good luck.
The reserve is private and autosustainable, costs for its conservation are covered from income in the zone of multiple use (coffee and ornamentals) and through providing tourism services.
Los Tarrales Reserve provides income to 60 Maya Kaqchikel families, which live within the protected area. People work in cultivation and processing of coffee and ornamentals, as forest rangers, and in providing tourism services.
Our tourism program has become an important support for the area. Several young guides have been taught to explain to our visitors the coffee and ornamentals production, and the reserve's wildlife.
Los Tarrales is providing social services for the people living within the protected area. A private primary school is run in order to ensure the children's education. Classes in nature science and conservation are included in the educational program. The administration is organizing sessions of medical care provided by specialized national and international organizations.
We collaborate in the following programs:
