Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This lovely lagoon lies seven kilometers east of Ixlú, where there is a small settlement by
the same name. A northbound, signed turnoff leads another two kilometers to
El Retiro
Lakeside Sanctuary and Eco-Lodge
(tel.5932-0644,
www.retiro-guatemala.com
,
$40-60
d), a private nature preserve set on the spectacularly wild north shore of the turquoise la-
goon.Accommodationsareincomfortablethatched-roofbungalowswithprivatehot-water
bath and porch or in tents on raised wooden platforms. You can also camp here in your
owntent.Thereareagoodrestaurantandadockforswimmingaswellasa
serpentarium,
featuring 20 species of snakes found in Guatemala; all are professionally housed in secure
glass tanks.
The lodge offers guided hikes on jungle trails to remote, jungle-lined lagoons and ce-
notes (limestone sinkholes) or nighttime crocodile scouting starting at $30 per person.
This small, unrestored Mayan site lies 30 kilometers from Ixlú and then a 20-minute walk
south from the main road. It features small temple mounds and is really suitable only for
the die-hard fan of Mayan ruins.
As in many tropical regions of Central America, there has been a widespread proliferation
of so-called canopy tours, or zip lines between elevated platforms in the jungle.
La Ruta
del Mono
(8 A.M.-5 P.M. daily, canopymonoruta@ yahoo.com, $30) is one of three can-
opy tours found in Petén and is conveniently near the ruins of Yaxhá, about five kilometers
along the main road heading west toward Ixlú. It was featured on
Survivor Guatemala.
This small border town sits on the edge of the Río Mopán and is fairly pleasant as far as
border towns go. The border crossing with Belize is fairly straightforward, though you'll
probablybeaskedtopaythelocal equivalent ofabout$1.50toexit orarrive inGuatemala,
which is technically illegal. Some travelers have asked for a receipt in an attempt to dis-
suade the collection of the token bribe, but border officials sometimes issue you a deposit
stubstampedwithanofficial-lookingimmigrationseal.Theaccountmostlikelybelongsto
the bribe's collector.
ManypeoplecrosstheborderfromBelize ondaytripstoTikalorYaxháfromoneofthe
Belize jungle lodges. Daily shuttle vans make the trip to the border from Flores continuing
to Belize City and there is also public transport to the border from the bus depot in Santa
Elena.
