Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
treks take you to remote Mayan sites such as
Ixcún,
a replica of the the caves of
Naj Tu-
nich,
and waterfalls on the
Río Mopán.
All trips are on horseback.
Inner tubing
on the
Machaquilá River
from Finca Ixobel ($20, including lunch and
transportation) is possible in June and July, when the water is high enough but before the
summer rains are in full swing.
Villa delosCastellanos (tel. 7927-7541),another local lodge, isset right beside the river
andalsooffersinnertubing.Tripstotheremoteruinsandforestreserveof
Machaquilá
are
also available from here, as well as to the
Chiquibul Forest Reserve,
farther north.
Accommodations and Food
There is at least one good place to stay in Poptún proper, though you are probably better
off staying at one of the local, highly recommended jungle lodges. Should you get stuck in
town,
Hotel Posada de los Castellanos
(tel. 7927-7222, corner of 4a Calle and 7a Aven-
ida,$10d)isyourbestbetwithbasic,cleanroomswithfanandprivatehot-waterbath.For
eating,
La Fonda Ixobel
has tasty baked goods and snacks.
Services
Banrural (5a Calle, 8:30 A.M.-5 P.M. Mon.- Fri., 9 A.M.-1 P.M. Sat.) has a MasterCard
ATM and changes U.S. dollars and American Express travelers checks.
Getting There
The Poptún area is accessible via several buses and minivans leaving Flores daily at
half-hour intervals during daylight hours.
Línea Dorada
(tel. 7926-1788,
www.tikalmayanworld.com
,
$15-30 one-way) has buses from Guatemala City (10 A.M.
and9P.M.daily),stoppinginRíoDulceandPoptúnalongtheway.Busesarriveanddepart
on Playa Sur in Flores.
Buses heading north from Guatemala City via Río Dulce also come this way and stop at
Finca Ixobel, Poptún, and Machaquilá.
Finca Ixobel
Just south of Poptún, on the road from Río Dulce,
Finca Ixobel
(tel. 5892-3188,
www.fincaixobel.com
)
haslongdrawntravelerscomingoverlandtoPeténforitswonderful
accommodations and excellent food at moderate prices in an attractive jungle setting. Its
wide-ranging activities allow guests the chance to explore myriad attractions nestled in the
surrounding cool pine forests and rolling green hills. There are accommodations to suit
every taste and budget, including hammocks ($3), clean, comfortable dorms for $4 p/p,
