View of Lake Peten Itza from Verandah of La Lancha Casita, El Peten, Guatemala


TIKAL


Peten and Tikal Mayan Ruins of Guatemala


Picture of Pyramid at Tikal Mayan Ruins, Peten, GuatemalaThe Tikal Mayan ruins in the Peten region of Guatemala are truly breathtaking -- and mysterious, as is the civilization that built Tikal almost 2000 years ago.  (So mysterious in fact, that Tikal was filmed as the hidden rebel base on the Planet Yavin in George Lucas' Star Wars.)

The portion of Tikal that has been excavated and studied is about the size of Central Park in Manhattan, and a guide is highly recommended.

Tikal (meaning Place of the Voices) is located about 40 miles from Flores on Lake Peten Itza, and is in the middle of the 230 square mile Tikal National Park.

 

Picture of Toucan in Tikal Mayan Ruins, Peten, GuatemalaIn addition to the mystery of the ruins, wildlife and exotic tropical birds such as Howler Monkeys and Toucans are abundant in the Park and among the ruins themselves. 

(The last time we were there, we saw flocks of Toucans, a group of Spider Monkeys, and definitely heard a troop of Howlers late in the day.  The trip TO Tikal was also an eventful one full of wild turkeys, pigs, a rare Orange Breasted Falcon, goats and even a herd of cattle.)

 

Picture of Suspension Bridge on Canopy Trail at Ixpanpajul Nature Reserve, Peten, Guatemala


 

The close proximity of the Peten region to Belize means that Belize visitors with a few days to spare can easily experience some of the remarkable richness and beauty of El Peten.