Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
quite an impressive sight to see, the sky darkening with myriad winged creatures making
their way out in search of insects and fruit. The biotope also protects an archaeological site
that has been severely plundered and remains unexcavated. You can climb to the top of
the tallest mound, the
El Diablo Temple,
from which you can make out the roof combs
of Tikal's pyramids 23 kilometers to the west. The forest here remains well preserved and
there is a small biological station with guards patrolling the park stationed here. You can
camp for free and there is no park admission fee, as in most of the remote jungle parks of
the Maya Biosphere Reserve. The biotope abuts Tikal National Parktothe east, which par-
tially explains why it remains mostly intact. It is part of an important biological corridor
ensuring the survival of many of Petén's most threatened species.
Several Flores travel agencies arrange trips to the biotope. Highly recommended is
Martsam Tours and Travel,
offering an excellent three-day/two-night trek from El Zotz
to Tikal for about $175 per person for two people. It begins in Flores with a private vehicle
transfer to the village of Cruce dos Aguadas, west of the park. From there, you hike five
hours to El Zotz, see the bat cave, and spend the night. The second day is spent exploring
the site's temple mounds before hiking to a campsite midway between El Zotz and Tikal,
where you bed down for the night before the final 18-kilometer march to Tikal the next
day. You explore Tikal on the last day, and the trip concludes with a chance to see the sun-
set from Temple IV.
Tikal Connection
also runs a similar trip for the same price. Both use
local community guides.
Another option is to book a trip from Uaxactún.
Campamento El Chiclero
can arrange
pack horses, guides, and equipment. The trip from Uaxactún affords the opportunity to see
a little more of the forest, as the forests along the western approach from Paso Caballos
have been somewhat disturbed.
This park encompasses the Mayan sites of Yaxhá, Topoxté, Nakum, and El Naranjo. Most
prominent of these is Yaxhá, which gained international fame in 2005 with the filming of
Survivor Guatemala.
The park was closed for two months, during which time contestants
lived among the ruins eating corn, plotting ways not to get voted off, and fighting off mos-
quitoes.OnlyElMiradorandTikalarebiggerthanYaxhá(8A.M.-5P.M.daily,$10admis-
sion includes entrance to Nakum), and its isolated setting on a limestone ridge overlooking
the lagoons of Yaxhá and Sacnab is simply splendid. Despite its TV fame, you can still
wander the site with nary another visitor in sight. Don't even think of swimming in the
lakes here, as they have a healthy population of rather large crocodiles.
Yaxhá
