Sierra de las Minas
Facts and practical information
Sierra de las Minas is a mountain range in eastern Guatemala, extending 130 km west of the Lake Izabal. It is 15–30 km wide and bordered by the valleys of the rivers Polochic in the north and the Motagua in the south. Its western border is marked by the Salamá River valley which separates it from the Chuacús mountain range. The highest peak is Cerro Raxón at 3,015 m. The Sierra's rich deposits of jade and marble have been mined throughout the past centuries. These small scale mining activities also explain the name of the mountain range. ()
Best Ways to Experience the Park
Wildlife
AnimalsSee what popular animal species you can meet in this location.
Jaguar
The jaguar is a large cat native to the Americas and the only member of the Panthera genus found in this region. These majestic creatures can be found from the southwestern United States through Central and South America, thriving in tropical and subtropical forests.
Mammals
Baird's tapir
Baird's tapir, also known as the Central American tapir, is a remarkable mammal native to Mexico, Central America, and northwestern South America. It holds the title of the largest land mammal in Central America and is named after the American naturalist Spencer...
Mammals
Guatemalan Howler Monkey
The Guatemalan black howler, also known as the Yucatan black howler, is a captivating species of howler monkey native to Central America, particularly in regions such as Belize, Guatemala, and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
Mammals
Puma, Mountain Lion, Cougar
The cougar, also known by names like puma, mountain lion, red tiger, and catamount, is a remarkable big cat native to the Americas. Scientifically known as Puma concolor, this majestic animal roams from the Canadian Yukon all the way down to the southern Andes in South...
Mammals
Harpy eagle
The harpy eagle, often called the American harpy eagle, is a remarkable bird native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Renowned as the largest and most powerful raptor in these regions, it belongs to the Accipitridae family, closely related...
Birds
Alta Verapaz