NATURE

WONDERFUL NATURE

Zunil, a town of Mayan origin that houses a unique natural wealth, its forest covers an area of 46 square kilometers, with altitude variations ranging from 1,600 to 3,542 meters of altitude, characteristic that make it possible to observe in the park very interesting natural contrasts as it ascends.

 

Within the Municipal Regional Park, there are two imposing colossi, the volcanoes: Zunil or Kumuquin as local people know it, with a height of 3,542 meters above sea level and the Santo Tomas Pecul volcano, with a height of 3505 meters above the sea level. In both volcanoes you can do various activities, one of the most fabulous  to camp and sunrise  summit  one of these colossi and thus be able to observe the rising and the setting of the sun, the moon and the stars, a magical natural adventure.

WILDLIFE

The park is also home to great wildlife. 211 specimens have been identified as follows: 35 species of mammals, 155 species of birds and 21 species of amphibians and reptiles. It is important to mention that the area is home of insect communities, since they play an important role in the diet of birds.

6

In the area there are several species that are in danger of extinction, such as: the solitary eagle (Harpyhaliaetus solitarius), horned guan (Oreaphasis derbyianus), Quetzal (Pharomachrus moccino), etc. As well as the existence of endemic species both national and local, which allows validating the importance of their conservation. The Horned guan has a very particular and unique characteristic, has a horn attached to the skull, it is also considered bad in its flights, so they only limit themselves to make short, not very high planes. It is a bird that is classified  endangered and it is limited to occupy humid mountain forests in southern Mexico and the Sierra Madre in Guatemala.

FLORA

The Zunil Municipal Regional Park forest contains a range of biodiversity and is an area of high value due to the altitudinal variations and its consequent impact on the different plant associations, which is why two very rare species can be identified in the park which are: the Georgian Carnation (Cavendishia guatemalensis) and the Billia (Billia hipocastanum), one of them endemic and another that due to its ecological requirements its distributive range is very short.

There are two types of forest which are:

-a Very humid forest Montano Bajo Subtropical (Bmh-MBS)

-Montano Bajo Subtropical humid forest (Bh-MBS)

Within the forest is (the speciao tree the) Abies guatemalensis - also known as pinabete which is an endemic specie of the country. The characteristics of the pinabete are unique worldwide The smell and color creates the perfect Christmas atmosphere.

Aristotle said: "In all things of nature there is something wonderful."

And what better place than the wonderful forests of Zunil to to get astonished,  relax,  recreate and enjoy.