General Juan N. Alvarez National Park

General Juan N. Alvarez Overview

General Juan N. Álvarez National Park, known locally as Parque Nacional General Juan N. Álvarez, is a protected natural area located in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. The park covers approximately 5.28 square kilometers (2.04 square miles) and was established on May 14, 1964.

It is situated near the city of Chilapa de Álvarez and extends into the municipality of Atlixtac, within the rugged terrain of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range. The park’s elevation varies, with some of its highest points reaching approximately 2,500 meters above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Its natural setting includes steep hills, deep ravines, and rolling slopes, which shape a diverse topography.

The climate is classified as temperate sub-humid, with an average annual temperature of about 28°C (82°F). Rainfall is most common from May through September, supporting the lush greenery found throughout the park.

The park’s landscape is predominantly covered in pine and oak forests, providing an essential habitat for numerous species of flora and fauna. The region has also undergone reforestation efforts to help preserve its delicate ecosystem.

In addition to its extensive tree coverage, the park is home to grasslands and an array of flowering plants, including rare and threatened orchid species. The natural beauty of this park is accentuated by its seasonal flora, which contributes to the ecological richness of Guerrero. The varying elevations create microhabitats that sustain different types of vegetation, from dense forested sections to open meadows.

General Juan N. Álvarez National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, making it a haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The park shelters an array of mammals, including coyotes, wildcats, ocelots, raccoons, skunks, opossums, rabbits, foxes, and cacomistles. Other notable species include badgers and small rodents that thrive in the park’s diverse environment.

Birdwatchers can enjoy spotting quail, partridges, doves, and several other avian species that inhabit the area. Reptiles such as iguanas and various snake species also make their home within the park’s ecosystems. The combination of mammals, birds, and reptiles makes the park a thriving location for biodiversity, allowing visitors to experience an authentic and untamed natural environment.

Visitors to General Juan N. Álvarez National Park can engage in a variety of activities that allow them to fully experience the region’s natural beauty. Hiking is one of the most popular ways to explore the park, as the varied terrain offers both challenging and leisurely trails.

Wildlife observation is another key attraction, with opportunities to spot animals in their natural habitats. The park also provides scenic picnic areas where visitors can enjoy the tranquility of the forested surroundings. Given its location near Chilapa de Álvarez, the park is a convenient destination for day trips and educational excursions. School groups, researchers, and conservationists frequently visit to study the area’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity.

Conservation efforts within the park have focused on reforestation and protecting native species, particularly orchids and other threatened plants. The management of the park works to balance human activity with environmental preservation.

However, challenges such as illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment pose ongoing threats to the park’s delicate ecosystem. Despite these challenges, conservation initiatives have successfully contributed to habitat restoration and wildlife protection.

The park remains an essential natural refuge within Guerrero, providing a crucial space for biodiversity conservation and outdoor recreation.

Park Map

General Juan N. Alvarez National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

The park’s combination of coastal mangroves, wetlands, and dry forests makes it an essential habitat for a variety of bird species, including waterbirds, raptors, and songbirds.

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
With its long wingspan and distinctive red throat pouch, the magnificent frigatebird is often seen soaring over the park’s coastal areas, sometimes harassing other birds to steal food.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
A common sight along the coast, brown pelicans dive dramatically into the water to catch fish with their expandable throat pouches.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
This distinctive duck, with its long neck and pink bill, is frequently found in the park’s wetland areas, where it forages for aquatic plants and insects.

Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)
A small but striking bird, the green kingfisher perches near the park’s rivers and lagoons, diving into the water to catch small fish.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)
This elegant white wading bird is a common sight in the park’s wetlands, where it hunts fish, amphibians, and small invertebrates.

Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
A striking pink wading bird, the roseate spoonbill uses its unique spoon-shaped bill to sweep through shallow water, capturing small fish and crustaceans.

Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
A curious and social bird, the groove-billed ani is often seen in flocks searching for insects, small reptiles, and fruits in open areas.

Rufous-bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis wagleri)
A loud and social bird, the chachalaca is often seen in groups, foraging in the park’s trees for fruits and seeds.

Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus)
A scavenger and opportunistic hunter, the crested caracara is frequently seen in open areas, feeding on carrion, small mammals, and reptiles.

White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)
Recognizable by its long, curved bill and bright white plumage, the white ibis forages in the park’s coastal wetlands for small fish and invertebrates.

General Juan N. Álvarez National Park, located in Guerrero, Mexico, is a coastal and wetland ecosystem that provides an essential habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. The park includes mangroves, lagoons, and tropical dry forests, creating a diverse environment for mammals, reptiles, and amphibians that thrive in warm, humid conditions.

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
A beautiful and elusive wild cat, the ocelot is a nocturnal predator that hunts small mammals, birds, and reptiles within the dense forests and mangroves of the park.

Coyote (Canis latrans)
An adaptable predator, the coyote roams the park’s forests and open areas, preying on small mammals, birds, and reptiles while also scavenging when necessary.

White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
This common herbivore is often seen grazing near the park’s forest edges and wetland areas, feeding on grasses, shrubs, and tree leaves.

Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu)
A pig-like mammal, the collared peccary moves in small groups, foraging for roots, fruits, and small invertebrates. It plays an essential role in seed dispersal.

Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)
A nocturnal burrowing mammal, the nine-banded armadillo digs in the soil for insects and larvae, helping control insect populations.

Ring-tailed Cat (Bassariscus astutus)
A nocturnal, raccoon-like mammal, the ring-tailed cat is an excellent climber that hunts for insects, rodents, and small birds in the park’s rocky and forested areas.

Morelet’s Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii)
This medium-sized crocodile inhabits the park’s mangrove swamps and freshwater lagoons, preying on fish, birds, and small mammals.

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
One of the most easily recognizable reptiles in the park, the green iguana is often seen basking on tree branches and feeding on leaves and fruits.

Mexican Beaded Lizard (Heloderma horridum)
One of the few venomous lizards in the world, the Mexican beaded lizard is a slow-moving but powerful predator that feeds on eggs, small vertebrates, and insects.

Leopard Frog (Lithobates sp.)
A common amphibian in the park’s wetlands and riverbanks, the leopard frog is an important species for maintaining insect populations.