CHAPINADAS

Around 1000 turists a month visit the Natural Reserve Monterrico in Taxisco to observe and appreciate the extense variety of flora and fauna of the area.  Besides the different varieties of fish to be observed, it is also possible to observe several variaties of birds.  The biggest attractive of this natural reserve is the liberation of turtles every saturday in the afternoon.  The liberation of turtles consists of getting the new born turtles and place them in the sandy beach so that they can reach the sea.  The main season for the liberation of turtles is from september to january.  There are about four different especies of marine turtle visiting the beaches of the reserve.  This is a very important part of the aquatic habitats of the region because it facilites the migration of several species specially for birds and marine animals from north to south.  In the reserve, there is a center for visitors where there is a museum.  There are also hotels, restaurants, a medical clinic, pharmacy and also stores.  The Monterrico reserve was created by presidential decree on december of 1977.

In El Estor it is possible to find remainders of the conquest like anchors, vases and wheelbarrels.  El Estor was one of the first spanish cities built in Guatemala and was established in the village of Izabal, El Estor.  Due to its geographical position, El Estor was an strategic place to avoid the visits of the pirates to the collection centers of merchandise going to or coming from Spain.  The village of Izabal in El Estor was also a center for collecting merchandise going to Spain but the biggest warehouses were located in El Estor.  El Estor got its name from the translation of the english word Store wich means almacen.

The village of Izabal was founded before the construction of the Fort of San Felipe de Lara but it was not enough to stop the attacks of pirates.  That is why the Fort of San Felipe de Lara was built.  When you reach El Estor, the first things you can see are constructions of conquest times. Besides the pirate attacks, the village was destroid after a hurricane pass through the Atlantic coast.

The map in relief is a monument that has just reached its 101 birthdate.  Unfortunately, it needs maintenance specially the paint showing the lakes and mountains and also small cracks.  Manuel Estrado Cabrere founded this monument on october 29th, 1905.  Up to this time, the real author of this marvel of creativity is not certain.  It is attributed to Francisco Vela but other sources reveal that it was Claudio Urrutia who did it.  Throughout the years the maintenance of the place has decreased and now that it has reached its 101 birthdate it shows more.  This kind of monument was unique world wide until not long ago.  This monument nees a coat of paint to cover the territories and oceans.

The administration of this monument is in charge of the Technological foundation, an organization which does not receive any money from anywhere.  This monument keeps itself afloat only with the money charged to tourists, visitors and scholars.  This monument is visited by around 3000 people a month.  It is said that engineers working with NASA were astonished when they saw this monument due to its incredible precision.

Fresh air and a natural environment are some of the aspects that make The Biological Corridor of El Estor Izabal special.  This place joins the Sierra de las Minas, the reserves of the Polochic river and Lake Izabal.  This place is the perfect natural reserve for people that love nature specially because it is a gateway to reach the waters of Lake Izabal.  It is also a gateway for the colonial Fort of San Felipe and the Caribbean.

El Estor is also the perfect place to take walks to appreciate the flora and fauna of the area.  It is a place filled with trees and pathways perfect for relaxation and meditation.  During this walks, it is possible to observe monkeys, birds, butterflies and snakes like the yellow beard and also plants with curative power.