The Quetzal bird is one of the most elusive birds in nature to see. My husband and I have been traveling to Guatemala for six years and wanted to see a Quetzal. Our friends who live in Guatemala had never seen a Quetzal either, even though they had visited the Biotopo Quetzal.
Upon the recommendation of another friend who lives in Coban, we left early in the morning and drove to Hospedaje Ranchito del Quetzal for breakfast. This small hotel and comedor is about 1k from the entrance to the Biotopo Quetzal. It took us maybe an hour to drive from Coban to this location. A beautiful drive, even in the chipi-chipi weather for which this region is known.
We drove into the hotel, parked our car, four people stepped out and looked up into the aquacatillo tree and saw a Resplendid Quetzal starring at us! He then flew down a couple of limbs on his tree where we were able to get a picture! Four people stood in complete awe at the site of this beautiful bird gracing us with his spirit. After a few more minutes he flew off out of site.
We then asked for a tour of the rooms, which are budget class, instant electric hot water, private bath, foam pad beds, musty smelling in the rooms (all the rain). However, the garden area is beautiful!
This small hotel has a restuarant and we ate an excellent typical breakfast of eggs, beans, tortillas, coffee con leche - total cost for four people including tip was 80q.
While we were waiting for a breakfast to be cooked, we continued to enjoy the beautiful surrounds and another visit from the Resplendid Quetzal! In total time we spent at Ranchito del Quetzal the Quetzal bird blessed us four times in visiting with us.
We got a picture - most likely you have have to enlarge it to see the Quetzal - look to the top middle of the picture where the Quetzal is sitting on a branch.