Nighthawk Birding Guided Tours in Antigua Guatemala, Antigua

About this activity

Discover the vibrant birdlife around Antigua, Guatemala with Nighthawk Birding Tours! Choose from six unique, guided tours—through forests, coffee plantations, and hidden birding hotspots. Perfect for casual birdwatchers, photographers, and avid birders alike, our tours showcase hummingbirds, toucans, motmots, and other tropical species. Tours are usually private, ensuring a personalized experience, but smaller groups may occasionally be combined for shared adventures. Prices vary depending on tour and group size.

Day Trips Nature and Wildlife Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Walking Tours Nature Walks Excellent Quality Involves Animals

At a glance

Duration: 2–5 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Nighthawk Birding Tours

Ages: Infants (0–1 years) · Children (2–5 years) · Youth (6–17 years) · Adults (18–64 years) · Seniors (65–110 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Full bird list from the tour, with photos
Included: Binoculars for use during the tour
Included: historical / ecological context of our birding sites
Included: Entrance fees: Entrance fee
Included: Spotting scope for select tours

Not included

Not included: Private transportation: we do not offer transportation at this time, but our tours are all located close to Antigua

Itinerary

Eco Farms GT

1 min

***Please Note - Each Itinerary stop is a SEPERATE TOUR***

**Read each description for tour lengths - often flexible**

Eco Farms GT - Our most relaxed and accessible tour option through the small urban forest at Eco Farm! Explore their charming gardens, café, market, and gift shop while you are there! This is a roughly 1.5-2 hr. tour
Finca La Azotea

1 min Admission included

This is a great accessible birding option with flat and wide trails - with good chances at many specialist species like bushy-crested Jays and Band-backed Wrens. This is a roughly 2 hr. tour
Pastores

1 min

Hike up from Pastores towards the Cumbre de Maltiox - this is a more strenuous hike but the effort is well worth it! Don't miss chances to see species like Slender Sheartail, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, and Common Squirrell-Cuckoo! This is a roughly 3-4 hr. tour, highly flexible
Stop 4

1 min

This tour offers stunning views that make the challenging hike well worth the offer - not to mention the birds! Look for Northern Emerald Toucanets, Quail-Doves, and even Lesson's Motmots among the mature forest of these beautiful trails. A roughly 3-4 hr. tour, highly flexible
Stop 5

1 min

Hike the beautiful trails of El Hato after taking a free shuttle up from Antigua, looking for Blue-throated Motmot, Guatemalan Flicker, Northern Emerald Toucanet, and Blue-and-White Mockingbirds. Then walk down to Earth Lodge for a bite to eat or something to drink, enjoying stunning views of the volcanoes (you won't regret the walk!). Then take the free shuttle back to Antigua at 12:30pm
Antigua Mountain Trail - Finca El Pilar

1 min Admission included

Explore beautiful trails and climb to the lookout after checking out the hummingbird feeders! Finca El Pilar is a top destination for birders in Antigua! This is a roughly 4 hr. tour, highly flexible

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet me at the front gate and we will enter the Finca together!
meet me on the steps by the basketball court - from there we will head up cerro de la cruz in shuttle/ private car
meet me by The Cumbre vacation home, in front of the stone wall and the blue door. From there we will walk to the trail!
meet me in the plaza near the basketball court
Meet me right at the entrance gate and we will walk in together
Meet in front of the Buho Café!

End point

Meet me at the front gate and we will enter the Finca together!
meet me on the steps by the basketball court - from there we will head up cerro de la cruz in shuttle/ private car
meet me by The Cumbre vacation home, in front of the stone wall and the blue door. From there we will walk to the trail!
meet me in the plaza near the basketball court
Meet me right at the entrance gate and we will walk in together
Meet in front of the Buho Café!

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Inquire for accessible tour options - Eco Farms GT is the most ideal

Options

Eco Farms Urban Forest Tour

Accessibility: Flat even ground and short walk means that some areas are wheelchair accessible depending on wheel type

Explore Eco Farm: part of the tour can include exploring the other side of Eco Farm, with it's gardens, café, and eco school. Birds there too!

Difficulty: very easy, short loop through urban forest plot

Duration: 2 hours: flexible

Chance to buy snacks!: Buy snacks and or a meal at Eco Farm's Buho Café or various shops

Eco Farms GT: great for casual birders! This option is short 1 to 2 hour walk through the forest plot at Eco Farms GT

Birds to Expect: This small forest plot is surprisingly full of birds, especially migratory ones. Also keep an eye out for bushy-crested jays

Starting point:

Eco Farms GT, San Felipe, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
El Hato / Earth Lodge Tour

Explore Earth Lodge: explore the beautiful Finca El Tambor and Earth Lodge, with delicious restaurants, stunning views, great way to end the tour

Difficulty: moderate, some steep sections but generally a smooth trail without rocks or uneven footing. 2-4 km. trails

Duration: 5 hours: flexible

El Hato: explore the birds and trails of El Hato, a small town perched above Antigua that affords stunning views of the volcanoes

Free Shuttle at 8am: free shuttle up to El Hato at 8am from meeting point, down at 12:30 pm. Or private car (not included) for earlier start!

What birds to expect?: El Hato is a prime spot for Northern Emerald Toucanets, tanagers, warblers, and raptors. Species numbers for a day: 30-60

Starting point:

Ruinas de la Iglesia de la Candelaria, H77C+896, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Finca El Pilar

Difficulty: moderate / difficult, depending on trails chosen. Some steep sections and steps. Always an option to stay on flat areas

Duration: 4 hours: flexible

Finca El Pilar: hike up to the mirador, or choose the tough route on the way up to Cerro el Cucurucho. Flexible options! entry fee included

Birds to Expect: Famous for its hummingbird feeders, and its forest birds like toucanets, forest-falcons, and quail. Species per day: 30-60

Starting point:

Antigua Mountain Trail, San Cristobal El Alto, Antigua Guatemala 03001, Guatemala
Santa Catarina Bobadilla

Difficulty: moderate to difficult, with some steep sections and loose / uneven footing. Best for experienced hikers. 2-4 km. trail

Duration: 4 hours: flexible

Santa Catarina Bobadilla: Hike up through beautiful forest and enjoy views of the volcanoes, while searching for migrating and resident birds

Birds to expect: A great place for migrating warblers and resident woodpeckers and orioles. Ask for sample bird checklists! species: 30-60/day

Starting point:

The cumbre, Santa Catarina de Bobadilla 03001, Guatemala
Finca La Azotea Coffee Farm

Accessibility: flat, wide trails mean wheelchairs could have access depending on wheel type

gift shop: optional chance to browse the museo de café gift shop!

Difficulty: easy, flat, wide trails

Duration: 2 hours: flexible tour (entry fee included in tour price)

Finca La Azotea: Perfect for a relaxed walk and exploration of the vibrant birds found in this shade-grown coffee farm close to Antigua!

Birds to Expect: Look for woodpeckers and jays among the shaded coffee. Orioles and hummingbirds are common too. ~25 species/ day

Starting point:

Finca La Azotea, H7C3+CXX, Jocotenango, Guatemala
Cumbre de Maltiox, Pastores

Difficulty: moderate/ difficult, with some steep sections and loose footing. Best for experienced hikers. 2-5 km. trails

Duration: 4 hours: flexible

Cumbre de Maltiox: Hike up this beautiful ridge looking down on the town below. Great for those seeking a tougher trail and great birds

Birds to Expect: look for tanagers, becards, ground-sparrows, and raptors. High species counts, usually 40+

Starting point:

Plazuela de Pastores, H6RW+R68, Pastores, Guatemala