Home / The Reserve
The Ram Tzul Nature Reserve
A fragile and vital ecosystem in Baja Verapaz, protected with respect.
The ecosystem
The heartbeat of the cloud forest
Ram Tzul is the guardian of a fragile and vital ecosystem in Baja Verapaz. At this altitude, the mist drapes over crystal-clear rivers and majestic waterfalls.
As you walk our trails, you step into the natural habitat of the quetzal, coatis, brocket deer and migratory birds, surrounded by the striking beauty of the white nun orchid (monja blanca), bromeliads and giant tree ferns.
Conservation
Taking action for conservation
We don’t just admire nature: we protect it. Our commitment includes:
Constant monitoring
Ongoing tracking of flora and fauna.
Active restoration
Habitat recovery and protection of watersheds.
Environmental education
To safeguard the legacy of the cloud forest.
Our story
The spirit of the mountain
What began as a family dream of protecting “the spirit of the mountain” is now a leading model of ecotourism in Guatemala.
We share the magic of the forest while supporting the sustainable development of the communities of Purulhá.
Biodiversity
Our Wildlife
Whispers of the Cloud Forest
As you walk our trails, you step into the natural habitat of the quetzal, coatis, brocket deer and migratory birds.
Tap or click a card to see a real photograph of the animal.
Mammals
Photo: Derek Spencer · CC BY 4.0
Central American Red Brocket
Mazama temama
IUCN DDCITES IIILEA 2
Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0
White-nosed Coati
Nasua narica
IUCN LCCITES IIILEA 3
Photo: Lauren McLaurin · CC BY 4.0
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
IUCN LC
Photo: Don Loarie · CC BY 4.0
Mexican Mouse Opossum
Marmosa mexicana
IUCN LCLEA 3
Photo: MartinKlippel · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nine-banded Armadillo
Dasypus novemcinctus
IUCN LCLEA 3
Photo: Matt Garvin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Lowland Paca
Cuniculus paca
IUCN LCCITES IIILEA 3
Red-bellied Squirrel
Sciurus aureogaster
IUCN LCLEA 3
Photo: Adam Jackson · CC0
Tayra
Eira barbara
IUCN LCCITES IIILEA 2
Birds
Photo: Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0
Resplendent Quetzal
Pharomachrus mocinno
IUCN NTCITES ILEA 3
Illustration: Francesc Juglar
Photo: Hector Bottai · CC BY-SA 4.0
Collared Trogon
Trogon collaris
IUCN LCLEA: special protection
Illustration: Richard Allen
Photo: jmmaes · CC BY-SA 4.0
Highland Guan
Penelopina nigra
IUCN VULEA 3
Illustration: Francesc Juglar
Photo: Alejandro Bayer Tamayo · CC BY-SA 2.0
Short-tailed Hawk
Buteo brachyurus
IUCN LCCITES II
Illustration: Alex Mascalell
Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren · CC BY 2.0
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
IUCN LCCITES II
Illustration: Ian Willis
Photo: thibaudaronson · CC BY-SA 4.0
Green-throated Mountain-gem
Lampornis viridipallens
IUCN LCCITES IIRestricted range
Illustration: Richard Allen
Photo: Joseph C Boone · CC BY-SA 4.0
Azure-crowned Hummingbird
Saucerottia cyanocephala
IUCN LCCITES II
Illustration: Norman Arlott
Photo: Dominic Sherony · CC BY-SA 2.0
Bushy-crested Jay
Cyanocorax melanocyaneus
IUCN LCRestricted range
Illustration: Brian Small
Photo: Kathy & Sam (Beaverton, OR, USA) · CC BY 2.0
Unicolored Jay
Aphelocoma unicolor
IUCN LCRestricted range
Illustration: Brian Small
Photo: Alan Schmierer · CC0
Rufous-capped Warbler
Basileuterus rufifrons
IUCN LCFirst sighting
Illustration: David Quinn
Photo: Hector Bottai · CC BY-SA 3.0
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager
Habia rubica
IUCN LCFirst sighting
Illustration: Hilary Burn
Photo: Cephas · CC BY-SA 3.0
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Empidonax flaviventris
IUCN LCFirst sighting
Illustration: Hilary Burn
Photo: Alejandro Bayer Tamayo · CC BY-SA 2.0
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
Mionectes oleagineus
IUCN LCFirst sighting
Illustration: Brian Small
Photo: lwolfartist · CC BY 2.0
Tropical Kingbird
Tyrannus melancholicus
IUCN LCFirst sighting
Illustration: Ian Lewington
IUCN: conservation status (LC least concern, NT near threatened, VU vulnerable, DD data deficient). CITES: appendix of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. LEA: Guatemala’s List of Threatened Species (categories 1 to 3). Bird illustrations: Birds of the World (Cornell Lab of Ornithology). Photographs: Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licenses (credit on each card).
Every species you see here lives wild in the reserve. To protect them, please stay on the trails, do not feed the animals and ask permission before flying a drone, for the birds’ well-being.
Our philosophy
Mission, vision and values
Protect and share
To protect the cloud forest, support our neighboring communities and offer our visitors deep wellness through genuine experiences.
Regenerative tourism
To lead regenerative tourism in Guatemala, offering transformative encounters that connect nature, culture and spirit.
What guides us
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Identity
- Solidarity
- Generosity
- Gratitude
Respect for natural cycles, responsibility through regenerative tourism, an identity that honors our Q’eqchi’ and Poqomchi’ roots, solidarity with our people, generosity in hospitality and gratitude for life, the mountain and the water.
Booking
Walk the cloud forest with us
Safe, well-marked trails, waterfalls, viewpoints and quiet zones.
