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El Peten and Tikal
Mayan Ruins of Guatemala


Picture of Pyramid at Tikal Mayan Ruins, Peten, GuatemalaThe Tikal Mayan ruins in the Peten region of Guatemala are truly breathtaking -- and mysterious, as is the civilization that built Tikal almost 2000 years ago.  (So mysterious in fact, that Tikal was filmed as the hidden rebel base on the Planet Yavin in George Lucas' Star Wars.)

The portion of Tikal that has been excavated and studied is about the size of Central Park in Manhattan, and a guide is highly recommended.

Tikal (meaning Place of the Voices) is located about 40 miles from Flores on Lake Peten Itza, and is in the middle of the 230 square mile Tikal National Park.

Picture of Toucan in Tikal Mayan Ruins, Peten, GuatemalaIn addition to the mystery of the ruins, wildlife and exotic tropical birds such as Howler Monkeys and Toucans are abundant in the Park and among the ruins themselves. 

(The last time we were there, we saw flocks of Toucans, a group of Spider Monkeys, and definitely heard a troop of Howlers late in the day.  The trip TO Tikal was also an eventful one full of wild turkeys, pigs, a rare Orange Breasted Falcon, goats and even a herd of cattle.)

Picture of Suspension Bridge on Canopy Trail at Ixpanpajul Nature Reserve, Peten, Guatemala

The El Peten Department of Guatemala is a beautiful one that includes not only the Tikal Mayan ruins, but also:

  • The Maya Biosphere Reserve, the largest area of continuous tropical rain forest in Central American (22,280 square miles)
  • Lake Peten Itza, a 38 square mile lake that offers fishing and boat tours
  • Ixpanpajul Nature Reserve, tropical forest experiences with canopy walks (one suspension bridge over 200 meters long), a zip line, and jungle horseback riding
  • Flores, a picturesque small university town on the banks of Lake Peten Itza
  • Uaxactun and Yaxha Mayan ruins
  • Biotopo Cerro Cahui Park, a great area for birdwatching (and stopping at woodcarvers stands in El Remate)
  • El Retiro Sanctuary and Snake Exhibit Petencito Zoo (rescued wild animals only on a small island in Lake Peten Itza)

The close proximity of the Peten region to Belize means that Belize visitors with a few days to spare can easily experience some of the remarkable richness and beauty of El Peten.

So, we've put together a special 5-day El Peten mini Vacaciones that we think provides a good overview of the high points of El Peten, and that can be easily added to the beginning or end of a Belize trip. 

(As with all of our tours, we can customize our El Peten tour to fit your schedule and budget, although we generally recommend at least two nights in the region.  Contact us for more information.)

Also, please note that our El Peten Vacaciones does not include transportation to Flores where this side-trip begins.   The best way to reach Flores from Belize depends on a variety of factors including budget, amount of time available and personal preferences, and will be addressed when planning your tour.



Flores/Tikal Accommodations


Lakeview Casita Verandah, La Lancha, El Peten, Guatemala
Lakeview Casita
Verandah, La Lancha

Accommodation for your El Peten adventure is at Francis Ford Coppola's lake resort on the banks of Lake Peten Itza. 

Lodging is in a thatched Lakeview Casita overlooking Lake Peten Itza.  Breakfast and dinners are included.


La Lancha Lakeview Casita Bedroom, El Peten, Guatemala
La Lancha Lakeview
Casita Bedroom


View of Lake Peten Itza from Verandah of La Lancha Casita, El Peten, Guatemala
View of Lake Peten Itza from Verandah of Casita


View of Lake Peten Itza from La Lancha Beach, El Peten, Guatemala
View of Lake Peten Itza
from La Lancha Beach


La Lancha Pool and Jacuzzi (photo courtesy Graham Cabral), El Peten, Guatemala
Pool and Jacuzzi
(photo courtesy Graham Cabral)


La Lancha Bar and Guests, El Peten, Guatemala
Guests at the La Lancha Bar


La Lancha Dining Room, El Peten, Guatemala
La Lancha Dining Room
(courtesy G. Cabral)


Flores/Tikal
Itinerary



Flores, Guatemala

Day One

  • Arrive Guatemala (contact us for information on travel arrangements to Guatemala)
  • Ground transfer to La Lancha

  • Overnight in Lakefront Casita at La Lancha

  • Dinner at La Lancha

Day Two

  • Breakfast at La Lancha
  • Day touring Flores area with private driver - activities can include
    • Walking exploration of Flores
    • Boat tour of Lake Peten Itza
    • Petencito Zoo
    • Ak tun Kan Caves
    • Molul de San Jose (minor ruins)
    • Local villages
  • Overnight in Lakefront Casita at La Lancha
  • Dinner at La Lancha



Tikal


Guided Canopy Tour
 


Day Three

  • Breakfast at La Lancha
  • Tikal exploration with private guide
  • Overnight in Lakefront Casita at La Lancha
  • Dinner at La Lancha

Day Four

  • Breakfast at La Lancha
  • Guided jungle canopy tour (morning)
  • Biotopo Cerro Cahui Park (afternoon)
  • Stop at El Remate for woodcarvings
  • Overnight in Lakefront Casita at La Lancha
  • Dinner at La Lancha

Day Five

  • Sunrise bird watching by boat

  • Breakfast at La Lancha

  • Depart Guatemala

Cost:  from US$1,035 per person (based on two persons), including:

  • Lodging:  Four (4) nights lodging in Lakeview Casita at La Lancha, double occupancy
  • Meals:   Breakfast and dinner beginning with dinner on the day of arrival through breakfast on the day of departure
  • Activities:
    • Private guided tour of Tikal
    • Private guided jungle canopy tour
    • Private guided tour of Biotopo Cerro Cahui Park
    • Sunrise birding by boat on Lake Peten Itza
  • Transfers: 
    • Round-trip ground transfers between Flores and La Lancha
    • Three (3) full days private driver for other activities as desired
  • Other:  IVA and INGT Guatemala taxes
  • Note on Guides and Driver:  private guides and driver are natives of the Peten and speak both English and Spanish fluently

Contact us for more information.


Home Page for Destinations Belize, Specializing in Saltwater Fishing, Snorkeling, Sailing, Kayaking, Camping, Caving and Mayan Ruins and Jungle Adventures


Please note: services and goods in Belize are subject to a 12.5% general sales tax (GST).  Hotels/resorts must charge a 9% hotel tax on accommodations.  By law, all rates quoted for goods and services must include the GST, but quoted hotel room rates need not include the hotel tax.  All of our package rates include both GST and hotel taxes.  As required by law, rates for tours quoted on our Website include the 12.5% GST.  Many hotels and resorts also impose a service charge.  We have included service charges in package rates unless specifically stated otherwise. 

Send emails to mtoy@destinationsbelize.com.  Please Note:  Belize sometimes has significant  phone and Internet service problems.  If you do NOT receive a response to your email within 24 hours, please try resending - and we apologize for the inconvenience.)

Mailing Address:  General Delivery, Stann Creek District, Placencia, Belize

Phone: 

Belize: 
       Land Line:  523-4018 (from outside Belize dial  011-501-523-4018) 
      
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       Fax:  Use US Fax (see below)
U.S. Fax or Voice Mail Messages:  1-603-
386-6632

Last modified: November 06, 2011

Our Philosophy

İMary V. Toy, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011