Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Siyaj K'ak', aka Smoking Frog, a warrior from Teotihuacán who arrived here in 378 and
apparently allied with El Perú in a campaign to overthrow Tikal.
To get here independently, take the bus to Paso Caballos (Q25, 2½ hours from Flores),
which leaves Santa Elena terminal at approximately 1:30pm, then travel an hour by boat
down the Río San Pedro and its northern tributary, the Río San Juan. From Paso Caballos,
lanchas
charge Q550 to Q600. There are tent platforms at the ranger station if you'd like
to camp out.
Estación Biológica Las Guacamayas
A scientific research center within the Parque Nacional Laguna del Tigre, the
Scarlet Macaw
Biological Station
( 4890-9797;
www.lasguacamayas.org
)
offers wildlife watching and archaeology
tours, and the chance to tag along with researchers as they monitor macaws and butter-
flies. Overlooking the broad lazy river, it's a splendidly isolated spot and there is comfort-
able, ecofriendly accommodation in several thatched-roof houses.
One- to three-day tours consist of a visit to El Perú, 20 minutes north of the station up
the Río San Juan, and nighttime observation of the endemic Morelet's crocodile, along
with the chance to fish for the renowned
pescado blanco
.
Spacious rooms have wraparound screened windows and front porches. A separate
building contains clean toilets and good showers; another has a
comedor,
where healthy
meals are prepared. The rate per person on a two-day stay (with two persons) is Q1575,
including accommodation, meals and transport.
Volunteering is also possible, with the chance to contribute to infrastructure, maintain
trails, cultivate the butterfly garden or support environmental education projects among
the Q'eqchi' community in Paso Caballos. There's a minimum two-week commitment,
and volunteers pay Q625 per week for accomodation, food and transport to the site.
TOP OF CHAPTER
El Mirador
Buried within the furthest reaches of the Petén jungle, just 7km south of the Mexican bor-
der, the late-Preclassic metropolis at El Mirador contains the largest cluster of buildings of
any single Maya site, among them the biggest pyramid ever built in the Maya world. On-
