Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Life in Guatemala A to Z: Nature Preserve

Just outside the city of Panajachel is a nature preserve, within walking distance if you don't mind a good hike. It's where you can see the spider monkeys showing off for visitors.






And where you can cross those scary jungle bridges like you see in movies, and pretend you're Indiana Jones

Thankfully these bridges are modernized with railings!
And you can get your photo taken in front of the most amazing waterfall ever. 


And then there's the butterfly preserve, where thousands of butterflies are captured in a net building. So lovely and peaceful and picturesque.



When you visit Panachel, be sure to tour the Nature Preserve. It's well worth the small entry fee. Spend the day, bring a lunch or eat at the very comfortable visitor's center. 

26 comments:

  1. You live in such an amazing place!! It is on my list of places to live, for sure!

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    1. Hahahahaha. Freudian slip. Not live. Visit. ;)

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    2. Beth, Hahaha indeed. See you soon!

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    3. Beth, I would go back in a heartbeat. If you want a travel companion...

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  2. And don't feed the monkeys!
    Cool you have that close to home.

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  3. Lovely pictures, not sure I would cross that bridge though.

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  4. Love the photos and the Last of the Mohicans reference that showed in my feeds but mysteriously not here... :)

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    1. Nicole, Haha, glad you caught the reference!! I took it out because the man standing on the bridge is a friend but not my husband so it just seemed rather out of place LOL.

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  5. I love the photos! I have to say the spider monkeys are my favorite. I love those little guys.

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  6. Oh how beautiful but even seeing your husband on that walk gave my heart a skip as I am terrified of heights:)

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  7. It looks beautiful. I would really like to cross one of those bridges.

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    1. Susan, I did but they scared me, especially the really long ones, because I'm afraid of heights. The swaying was especially hard on my nerves.

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  8. What a wonderful and adventurous turn your life has taken Karen. The photos are just spectacular. Unlike you I do not think I have the courage to cross one of those bridges! Playing Indiana Jones or not. Would love to spend time in the butterfly preserve though. That would be magically.

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    1. Ann, I kept imagining how the early Mayans used to cross bridges like this without railings and probably just rope steps, not wooden ones. It didn't help!

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  9. I would love that place. I'd walk there several times a week to take photos.

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  10. I can imagine how wonderful it would be to have all of this beauty right outside your door or even within a day's drive. I'm so glad you are sharing it with us!

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    1. Lisa, I am glad for the A to Z Challenge to give me the opportunity to share it, to take all the photos and put them together into themes. It has helped me to appreciate our new environment so much more.

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  11. P is for Paradise...
    Beautiful photographs.

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  12. Waterfall *and* a fun bridge - beautiful :)
    Sophie
    Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - A to Z Ghosts
    Fantasy Boys XXX - A to Z Drabblerotic

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  13. Nature is SOOO amazing! You are so fortunate to LIVE YOUR DREAM, Karen...

    I'm so happy for you!

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  14. Gee the swaying of the bridge would be scary. What an awesome place though. So glad you are sharing so many pieces of Guatemala with us! :)

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  15. I love hanging bridges! And love seeing monkeys in the wild. What a great place!
    Donna On Palawan @ Quintessential San Diego From A to Z

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  16. So lovely, thank you for sharing! Made my cold day much, much warmer!

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  17. Looks so beautiful, and so warm!

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