El Patrocinio Plantation and Natural Reserve

Finca El Patrocinio Is a private reserve farm managed by a family company committed with the environment conservation and also is a coauthor and active promoter of the sustainable development plan of Palajunoj area, among six other farms.

With in the extension of 140Ha. Native forest, voluntary reforestation with key stone species vital for the conservation of the species and biodiversity are combined with crops like Macadamian nuts, Coffee, Plantains, Cocoa trees, Pacaya (native specie), Pacaina (native specie danger of extinction), exotic fruits like Rambutan (lipelum lapaceum) Mangostan( garnica mangostana) in a way that biological alleys are created to help sustain the ecosystem.

Attractions

Finca Patrocinio offers the visitor spectaculars views of Santiaguito(one of the three active volcanoes in Guatemala) and Santa María Volcanoes in proper days and hours, in addition there are many attractive areas of entertainment and relaxing such as: agronomical tours (Ex. Coffee tour), camping area, hiking , nature tourism, natural river pools bird watching, photographic tours etc; The visitor also will have the opportunity first hand to see how the farm is organized and share our view’s of conservation and life sustaining .

Due to its unique combination of native forest and forest patches ,variety of crops, water resources biodiversity of plants, Finca Patrocinio is and ideal place for bird watching in the pacific coast

Finca Patrocinio offers the possibility of renting his Patronal House and also meals for individual and groups.

Background:

In 1870 the farm belonged to the Jesuit Order, through the years it changed ownership three times and in 1987 the Aguilar family purchased it and presently is managed by Ing. Mario Aguilar.

During that period of time the property suffered various natural disasters, the first one in 1902 when the Santa María Volcano erupted destroying all crops in the entire area, the worst disaster happened in 1929 when Santiaguito Volcano erupted destroying the infra structure (workers houses, coffee wet mill and the owner house) which prompted the new homestead in the present site.

During it’s life the land has had different uses such as sugar cane, cattle, natural forest, bananas, Cardamom, small citrus gardens and coffee that is the common crop in all periods of time.