TIKAL & EL PETEN
Bordering with Mexico and Belize lies Guatemala’s northernmost department: El Petén, which alone accounts for almost one third of the country’s landmass.
Due to its huge extension of tropical vegetation, the Maya Biosphere was created in El Petén in 1990 in an effort to conserve the largest and most important area of tropical forest remaining north of the Amazon which is home to a wide variety of exotic creatures such as jaguars and other wild cats, tapirs, monkeys, crocodiles, and over 500 species of birds.
Hidden within the vast rainforest, innumerable Maya archaeological sites remain – some already discovered, partially excavated and restored, and who knows how many others still lie in wait!n
Among the most famous of these sites are Tikal and El Mirador. At Tikal, a double UNESCO World Heritage Site (culture & nature), impressive structures tower over 60m (200ft) high, and well above the treetops. El Mirador basin contains La Danta pyramid, which is considered by many archaeologists to be the largest ancient structure in the world – not due to its height, but merely due to its sheer volume.
Things to do in and around El Peten
- Explore ancient Maya archaeological sites and get better understanding of the ancient Maya civilisation
- Bird watching – ask us about best locations or if there are any species you’d like to tick off your list!
