Finca El Tambor Nature Reserve
*Complimentary Apiary Tour & Honey Tastings are running every day at 11 am during July to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of La Colmena Restaurant - reservation required by WhatsApp*
*Receive 5% off stays as a subscriber when you book direct online (subscribe below)*
Finca El Tambor Nature Reserve
Conservation. Discovery. Connection.
Welcome to Finca El Tambor, a privately protected nature reserve dedicated to conserving the rich biodiversity of Guatemala and fostering meaningful connections with the natural world.
We welcome nature-conscious travelers, researchers, naturalists, birders, adventurers, and lifelong learners who seek authentic, small-scale experiences rooted in responsible stewardship, ethical practices, and positive relationships with local communities.
Whether you're exploring forest trails, joining a guided tour, observing wildlife, savoring our Seed & Hive to Table cuisine, contributing to research, or staying in the heart of the reserve, every visit helps support the long-term conservation of this remarkable place.
Plan Your Visit
To help protect the reserve and ensure every guest enjoys a safe, enjoyable, and meaningful experience, please keep the following in mind:
Everyone is welcome to enjoy our restaurant, La Colmena Antigua, and visit our shop.
Access to the principal nature reserve is reserved for overnight guests and guided tour participants aged 12 years+
The reserve features mountainous forest and uneven terrain. If you have mobility concerns or require wheelchair accessibility, please contact us before booking so we can help determine the best experience for your visit.
To protect wildlife and preserve the natural environment, pets are not permitted.
Stay
Private Residences in the Mountains
Comfortable mountain living with the amenities of home.
Short and longterm rentals offering an authentic connection to the surrounding ecosystem.
Each residence is unique and recently refurbished under the direction of a sustainability-focused interior designer, with a considered approach to repurposing, recycling and reusing materials. Design here is intentional — grounded in resourcefulness, longevity and respect for the environment and our history.
Our turnkey homes include luxury treetop cabins, eco houses, rustic suites and modern studios - each thoughtfully positioned within the reserve.
All residences include a kitchenette, private balcony with direct volcano views and Wi-Fi.
Pack comfortable clothing, walking shoes, binoculars and a good book. During the rainy season, we recommend wellington boots and a rain jacket.
Breakfast and parking are included with direct bookings only and are covered by our price match guarantee.
2 or 3+ night minimum stay during peak weekends and high season.
*Receive 5% off stays as a subscriber when you book direct online (subscribe below).*
Discover
Apiary Tour & Honey Tasting
Start Time: 11 am
60-90 mins
*Complimentary during July to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of La Colmena Restaurant*
Join us for a relaxed educational experience to learn about the life of bees, see our apiaries and learn about how regenerative efforts and circular approach have lead us to be the highest quality honey producer in Guatemala. After ther tour, visit our shop for a mini tasting of fresh raw and infused honey and browse our products.
We recommend lunching afterwards at our restaurant La Colmena Antigua where you will find our uniqie honey inspired, farm to fork delights. Don't miss out on the best ice cream available in Guatemala!
This involves a moderate hike on uneven terrain.
Please do not wear black or perfume as this upsets the bees.
Advanced booking is required.
Sunset / Sunrise Tour
Start TIme: By Appointment
2 hours
Join us when daytime species are most active; mammals are still moving about and birds are feeding before retiring to avoid peak daytime heat.
You'll be birding and identifying various species of butterfly, insects and small mammals with our local expert guide whilst learning about their important role within the ecosystem.
This involves a moderate hike, sturdy boots are essential.
Advanced booking is required.
Night Watch Tour
Start Time: By Appointment
2 Hours
Join our expert local guide to learn about noctural species and delve into this fascinating journey of exploration into the depths of our forest.
Owls, armadillos, foxes, bat species, and the Guatemalan deermouse are just some creatures that could be sighted.
This involves a moderate hike at night, sturdy boots are essential.
Advanced booking is required.
La Colmena Restaurant
Real Food. Grown Here.
Enjoy our small, intentional menu made with freshly harvested ingredients from our land and hives, complemented by select local produce. Popular dishes are enhanced with subtle, innovative touches from our kitchen team, giving familiar flavors a distinctive twist that’s uniquely ours.
Relax in our rustic, intimate setting on the elevated al fresco terrace, with direct views of all three volcanoes, the butterfly garden, our forest reserve and the sweeping valley below.
Attentive, friendly service ensures every visit feels personal and welcoming.
Open to the public - Walk-ins welcome
Open: 08:00hrs
Last seating: 18:30 hrs
WhatsApp La Colmena Antigua: +50239954604
Shop - Highland Honey
Grown here, created here, authentically local & ethical
A beautiful space within the reserve where guests and visitors can access our farm-to-shop products, book experiences and enjoy coffee with a view.
Available at The Reserve Shop:
Tours & Experiences
Honey Apiary Tour & Tasting
Nature & Birding Tours
Reserve-Made Products
Fresh raw honey
Artisanal honey products
Botanical cosmetics (lavender, rosemary)
Artisanal products featured at La Colmena restaurant
Coffee & Workspace
The best Guatemalan French press coffee available this year
Co-working with complimentary Wi-Fi
Events*
Intimate talks and workshops
*You may qualify to use our space free of charge to host an event focused in the fields of natural sciences, sustainabilty, or citizen science. Ask us!
Open daily: 08:00 – 18:00
Wellness
Intentional regeneration
Finca El Tambor is a protected nature reserve dedicated to ecological restoration. Forest recovery, water systems and wildlife protection determine how this land is managed and shared.
Human presence is intentionally limited.
We host just a handful of private residences, ensuring low impact, meaningful privacy and space for the ecosystem to thrive.
Wellness experiences are available exclusively to residential guests. Limiting access protects habitat, reduces disturbance and maintains ecological integrity and limits impact on our community resources.
Residential guests may enjoy activities such as:
In-room spa treatments | Private sauna sessions | Private yoga | Private Breathwork | Private Meditation |
Reflection ponds | Curated picnics in nature | Foraging
Our restaurant, shop and guided tours welcome the wider community.
The broader reserve and wellness areas remain private to residential guests, so that restoration remains the priority and each stay feels quiet, spacious and deeply grounded in nature.
Finca El Tambor Nature Reserve - Wellness Massage
Finca El Tambor Nature Reserve - Wellness and Yoga
Finca El Tambor - Hiking In Forest
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*Our subscribers receive 5% off stays when they book directly*
Time With Nature
