Botanical Garden

Located just off the main highway towards Tikal, entering into the lush Botanical Garden El Ciricote is like stepping into another, hidden world.  Well-maintained trails twist through the jungle, and individual trees and plants are carefully labeled.  Here you will find a plethora of local flora and fauna, and also gain a better sense of the region’s biodiversity and the importance of protecting it.

The Botanical Garden is the dream of one man, the affable Don Emilio Mendizábal.  In 1985 he bought a small plot of land in the hopes of establishing an alternative way to save the tropical rain forest species from extinction.  This is how his idea of cultivating a genetic bank of plants begun.  He started with the largest and tallest species, and slowly started involving the middle-sized plants, and finally worked on the ground-level species.  24 years later, he is producing seeds of species such as Rosewood, Cedro (TRAD), Palm trees, and many other species.  In the garden you will witness the importance of planting trees and sense a completely different climate; the air is cooler and fresher.  The garden is rich in biodiversity and teaming with life.  Don Emilio is very knowledgeable and happy to explain to you the 2,500 demonstration species in his garden and their medicinal and culinary uses. 

 

Overview

Hours of operation: 9am - 4pm

Cost: Voluntary Donation (pay what you want), Price includes guided walk

What you need:  Repellent for the bugs, good walking shoes, water. 

Getting here:  From Fronteras you can take a microbús which costs 3Q or a taxi which costs 25Q for one-way or 50Q both ways and waiting time.  You can also ask to be dropped off on the way from Petén before you arrive to Rio Dulce.

Contact

Owner and guide: Emilio Mendizábal

Telephone: (502) 5200-4479

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: www.elhormigo.inriodulce.com