We are dedicated to nature conservation in Guatemala. We are
aware that we use natural resourses by operating birding tours – CAYAYA
BIRDING aims to have an overall positive impact on the areas we visit and support conservation. Read here about the characteristic of our tours.
Since it has been shown that integrated development of rural communities is
a good way to conserve nature in developing countries, we at CAYAYA BIRDING
are working to link environmental research, education, conservation and development
together in a realistic way where everybody wins - even the birds! We collaborate
with local communities, organizations and universities to find the best way
to promote conservation programs. Frequently we find that the best alternative
to conserve a forest is to make it economically valuable to the people who live
in close proximity. This is where sustainable tourism and birdwatching
come in.
CAYAYA BIRDING accomplishes sustainable tourism criteria:
- Our tours bring small groups to natural areas, and essentially put a value on natural habitats, without causing negative impact upon them.
- Our tours generate economic income to protected areas, to indigenous communities, and to local small enterprises.
- Our partners for accommodation and catering are small private enterprises, conservationist NGOs, or indigenous communities. In most destinations renewable natural resources are used for the construction of accommodations. Also in Guatemala City, we use small and charming hotels.
- Our partners for transfers are small local Guatemalan enterprises.
- Our partners at the destinations collaborate with local people.
- In many destinations our excursions are accompanied by local guides additional to our own guiding. This enhances a cultural approachment to the local people, as well as a helpful income for them.
- In most destinations we stay for some days, and we explore walking the habitats and their birds.
- Our tour leaders live in Guatemala. They have studied the birds in many of our destinations, they colaborate closely with local people in conservation issues, and enjoy confidence in local communities.
- Since we are active conservationists in Guatemala, our guests receive authentic information from us about the up to date state of conservation, aims, success and problems of conservation activities in the country. Visits to conservation projects are part of our tours.
- By being residents and knowing the country, we can guarantee that our groups understand the local Guatemalan costums, to respect and appreciate them. A close cultural contact between our tour members and the local people is very enriching for both.
- Our tours support the evolution of an environmental awareness among local communities. Foreign visitors demonstrate to local people that their environment is well worth to protect.
- Part of the CAYAYA BIRDING's profit is donated to local projects on bird reseach and nature conservation.
- The presentation of our enterprise and its services is realized in this web site. We do not print catalogs, in order to save natural resources.
