Guatemala is a place with many beautiful destinations which are also filled with and amazing amount of exotic species of animals. Here is a list with some of the most popular animals of this beautiful Central American country:

Find the best places in Guatemala for wildlife encounters. 

 

1. Quetzal

Quetzals are beautiful exotic birds and one of many Guatemala’s treasures, but because of all the illegal hunting and the destruction of their habitat they are in the list of the to be extinct animals unless things change. In Guatemala it can be found in El Biotopo del Quetzal, Baja Verapaz.

2. Spider Monkey

Spider Monkeys are curious animals that live mainly in the tropical forests but again the destruction of their habitat is reducing its population rapidly and in some places they are almost extinct. In Guatemala they are commonly seen in the northern region of Peten and in Alta Verapaz.

3. Toucan

The Toucans are these colorful and abundant tropical birds that can be found in Guatemala’s forests especially in the areas of Peten and Alta Verapaz.

4. Montezuma Oropendola

 

If you are coming to Central America this magnificent bird called Montezuma Oropendola is something you can’t miss, in Guatemala it can only be seen in the northern region of Peten.

5. Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Ok, so we have all heard that Sea turtles are on their way to be extinct, even the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles known for having the largest population around the globe. They love open ocean inhabitant so you will never see them near reefs. In Guatemala they can be seen nesting in Monterrico.

6. Armadillo

These armored little guys can be found from northern Argentina to the southern United States . Armadillo’s habitat is moist soil near the creeks, streams, and arroyos near which it generally lives and feeds. In Guatemala the most common place to find them is in La Sierra de las Minas, that is in the department of El Progreso.

7. Vampire Bats

When we think of bats the first thing that comes to our mind is an image from Hollywood’s monsters. But the real vampires are a lot different and have nothing to do with Dracula. Vampire Bats live in a range that covers Mexico, Central America and part of South America. In Guatemala it’s preferred habitat is the tropics.

8. Ocelot

Many people confuses these cute felines with domestic cats because of their tiny bodies. In Guatemala Ocelots can be found in the Tikal National Park.

9. Rat

Brown rats are one of the best known and most common animals in the world. They are the second most successful mammal in the world. In Guatemala just as the rest of Countries of the world they are mostly found in populated areas.

10. Capuchin Monkey

These small and inquisitive monkeys are the easiest to observe in the wild. They are always around jumping from tree to tree. They can be found in forest and mangrove habitats up to 2,100m elevation. These monkeys can be seen in the northern region of Guatemala.

11. White Lipped Peccary

White lipped Peccaries are the big and aggressive brothers of the collared peccary and is widely considered the most dangerous peccary. They have even killed jaguars when trying to defend themselves. It is commonly found in Sierra de las Minas, El Progreso in Guatemala.

12. Brown Basilisk

Brown Basilisks have the nickname Jesus Lizard because when fleeing from a predator, they are so fast that can even run on top of the water. They are native to Panama, Belize, northwestern Colombia and Costa Rica. In Guatemala, this species is widespread, found practically anywhere where there is a water source. This species can be found in tropical and subtropical wet, moist, and dry forest habitats.

13. Spectacled Caimans

Al though they are one of the smallest crocodilian species these guys are fierce predators. It can be found in much of Central and South America. It lives in a range of lowland wetland and riverside habitat and can tolerate salt water as well as fresh. In Guatemala you can find them in Monterrico, Santa Rosa Department.

14. Black Hawk

These are successful predatory birds with a mysterious touch. They inhabit from the Southwestern United States through Central America to Venezuela, Peru. Generally these birds are found lowland habitats, with a source of water nearby. In Guatemala it can be found around the Caribbean coasts.

15. Black Necked Stilt

The Black-necked Stilt is an abundant shorebird of American wetlands and coastlines. It is found through Central America and the Caribbean. In Guatemala they are commonly seen in the southern coasts. It is found in estuaries, salt ponds and emergent wetland habitats.

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Article by Marina Kuperman Villatoro

Marina Kuperman Villatoro CEO of TravelExperta.com, a travel resource site to inspire families to travel with kids of all ages. I've been an expat 10+ years in Central America raising 2 boys in a multicultural, trilingual household. We travel all over the world. Needless to say, it’s never boring! Join Marina on Facebook and Twitter for more Central and Latin American fun!