National park · Guatemala
Los Aposentos National ParkParque Nacional Los Aposentos
Visit Los Aposentos National Park: pay the entry fee (check), hike the lake‑loop trail (≈3 km (1.9 mi), easy) in the morning, and avoid weekends in the high season (Nov–Apr) for fewer crowds.Visit Los Aposentos National Park: pay the entry fee (check), hike the lake‑loop trail (≈1.9 mi (3 km), easy) in the morning, and avoid weekends in the high season (Nov–Apr) for fewer crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
approximate
Established
1955
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
- Central Highlands ↗Tourist shuttles between Antigua, the airport and Lake Atitlán run by day; they stop in the evening.
- Central Highlands ↗Antigua sits about 1,530 m; Cobán about 1,320 m. Neither usually causes altitude problems, but nights are cool.
At a glance
- Country
- Guatemala
- Area
- 15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
- Approximate; park covers about 1500 ha (15 km²).
- Established
- 1955
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Los Aposentos National Park, just south of Chimaltenango, protects 1,500 ha of pine‑oak forest at 1,750 m elevation, featuring two lakes, marked trails and birdwatching for quetzal and hummingbirds. Established in 1955, it serves local families for picnics, short hikes and water recreation, with entry tickets sold at the gate.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1955.
Size and age
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²) · national park since 1955
Approximate; park covers about 1500 ha (15 km²).
Why go
- Two scenic lakes in a pine‑forest setting, ideal for a short hike or picnic.
- Birdwatching for quetzal and hummingbirds in a temperate highland forest.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool.
- FebDry, cool.
- MarDry, pleasant.
- AprDry, warm.
- MayStart of rains.
- JunRainy, humid.
- JulRainy, possible storms.
- AugRainy, humid.
- SepRain tapering.
- OctDry, clear.
- NovDry, cool.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resplendent quetzalMar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| HummingbirdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Armored mammals (armadillos, tapirs, coatis)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Chimaltenango city
South on highway CA‑1 to km 55, left onto Avenida La Alameda, 2 km (1.2 mi) to entrance.South on highway CA‑1 to km 55, left onto Avenida La Alameda, 1.2 mi (2 km) to entrance.
15–20 min by car or taxi
Open the page →
From Guatemala City
Bus to Chimaltenango (≈2 h) then follow local directions.
≈3 h total
Open the page →
From Antigua
Shuttle or taxi via CA‑1 to Chimaltenango, then local road.
≈2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Loop area | Two lakes, walking trails, picnic spots. | Open to public; entry ticket required. |
| Pine forest trails | Marked hiking paths around hills. | Open; trailheads at lake area. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on Chimaltenango city centre and park description.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Fee not published; verify at gate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park.
- Fires
- Open fires are prohibited; use designated grills only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Chimaltenango city
Hotels, hostels, and guesthouses within 5 km (3.1 mi) of the park gate.Hotels, hostels, and guesthouses within 3.1 mi (5 km) of the park gate.
Safety
Slippery trails after rain medium
Heat at midday low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main lake loop is flat and suitable for wheelchairs with assistance.
- Some forest trails are uneven; not fully wheelchair‑accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all litter; use refillable water bottles.
- Support local vendors for snacks and meals.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Los Aposentos National Park?
The entry fee is not published online; visitors buy a ticket at the gate. Verify the current price there (check).
What are the best hikes in Los Aposentos National Park?
The lake‑loop trail (≈3 km, easy) offers lakeside views and birdwatching; longer forest trails are available but require good shoes.
When is the best time to visit Los Aposentos National Park?
The dry season November to April offers clear weather and comfortable hiking; avoid July–August when rains are frequent.
Can I camp inside Los Aposentos National Park?
Camping is not allowed; stay in nearby Chimaltenango.
Are dogs allowed in the park?
Dogs are permitted on a leash; keep them under control.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Los Aposentos National Park
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