Family Overview—El Petén, Guatemala
by Candyce H. Stapen, Away.com August 28, 2007 to current

El Petén, in Guatemala’s humid lowlands, is the site of the 8-000 square mile Maya Biosphere Reserve, home to Yaxhá, the ancient Maya city where the “Survivor” cast trekked, schemed and camped and Tikal, a larger and more well-known Maya site. A Guatemalan journey, particularly to these Maya sites, works best for families with gradeschoolers and teens who like eco-adventures and learning about different cultures.

While visiting off-the-beaten-path Yaxhá, a Maya ceremonial site, you’re likely to encounter merely a few other visitors, as opposed to the crowds at Tikal. At Yaxhá the dirt path winds by a green lake. Look closely and you might find the bony backs and bulging eyes of crocodiles in the reeds near the shore. Campers with prior permission can overnight near the lake on the raised platforms covered by thatch to block the rain.

www.visitguatemala.com www.parque-tikal.com

El Petén Highlights
*Spot crocodiles in the water.
*Listen for the crescendo of howler monkey cries
*Discover where the ancient Maya played pok-ta-pok
*Climb the Maya temples at Yaxhá and at Tikal
*Learn about the rituals of the ancient Maya
*Search for toucans and spider monkeys in the trees

Be prepared for extremely hot temperatures, especially in the rainforest

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