Sierra De Las Minas Biosphere Reserve

Sierra de las Minas is a magnificent Biosphere Reserve situated in eastern Guatemala, bordered by the valleys of the River Polochic to the north and Motagua river to the south. It was officially designated as such by UNESCO back in 1992, due to its varied land cover types, rare fauna and valuable jadeite and mineral reserves. With a population of some 44,000, there are a significant amount of idigenous communities living in the reserve, including Kekchi Maya and Pocomchí. There are also a lot of conservation workers, biological researchers and miners to be found in the Sierra de las Minas. It is from centuries of mineral resource exploration that the Sierra de las Minas got its name. Altitude can vary from anywhere between 150m to over 3000m above sea level. The region is extremely popular with nature lovers eager to encounter rare animal species and a tropical environment. There are quite a few nice hotels and lodges located around the reserve for visitors to stay in. They are generally very comfortable but remember that some areas can get quite cold at night. A lot of accommodation options also serve food and help organize hikes, birdwatching trips and other excursions around the reserve.

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Other places nearby Sierra De Las Minas Biosphere Reserve : Cancuén, Río Ikbolay, San Jerónimo, Cubulco, Purulhá and the Corredor Biológico del Bosque Nuboso, San Rafael Chilascó, Chisec, Biotopo De Quetzal, Rabinal and Parque Nacional Laguna Lachuá.