El Petén - Guatemala - page 495

Petencito Zoo
A couple of dozen native critters, including puma, ocelots, spider monkeys, crocodiles and
macaws, dwell within this islet east of Flores, laced with interpretive trails (admission Q40;
8am-5pm) . Camping is permitted (Q25 with tent). Boatmen from Flores charge Q200, includ-
ing an hour's wait while you tour the zoo.
Cuevas de Ak'tun Kan
Try spelunking at the impressive limestone caverns of Ak'tun Kan (admission Q25; 7am-6pm) ,
which translates from Q'eqchi' Maya as 'Cave of the Serpent'. The cave-keeper provides
the authorized interpretation of the weirdly shaped stalagmite and stalactite formations, in-
cluding the Frozen Falls, the Whale's Tail, and the Gate of Heaven, the last within a great
hall where bats flutter in the crevices.
If you haven't got a flashlight, you can rent one. Explorations take 30 to 45 minutes. It's
2km south of Flores; take a tuk-tuk there (Q10).
Hotel Villa Maya
At Laguna Petenchel, a small lake east of Santa Elena, this hotel ( 7931-8350;
www.villasdeguatemala.com ; s/d Q635/705; ) is among the finest in the area. Ensconced
within its own wildlife refuge, the blissfully quiet accommodations include 10 two-to-
three-level bungalows and 10 cabins. It's 4km north of the crossroads where the Guatemala
City road diverges from the Tikal road, 8km east of Flores.
San José & San Andrés
POP 1601 / ELEV 202M
San Andrés and San José, a pair of small towns at the northwest corner of Lago de Petén
Itzá, are just a few kilometers apart but are distinct in character. Each town has a language
school, and their relative isolation makes it easier to learn Spanish as there are more
chances to interact with locals.
In San Andrés, a jumble of mismatched houses covers a precipitous hillside inter-woven
with lushly overgrown paths, all imbued with the calming presence of the lake.