Yaxhá
Yaxhá
5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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- MippieGran Canaria, Spain18 contributionsBeautiful remote Mayan complexWe rented a car in Flores and drove to the park ourselves. The road has many holes and the last 11 km is unpaved, so a 4x4 is not necessary. Then walked in the park for 2 hours without seeing another tourist. Magical experience!Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 18, 2024
- Cláudia QRio de Janeiro, RJ911 contributionsUnmissable magical placeOne of the most powerful and magnificent places we have visited. We arrived by boat and there were no people, we were greeted by the native monkeys who gave us a warm welcome. Everything about the ruins is magical and reminds us of a truly magnificent civilization. I recommend wearing sneakers, a hat and repellent, as the ruins are located in the jungle.Visited November 2023Traveled with friendsWritten April 2, 2024
- Grzegorz P60 contributionsSunset at YaxhaAnother great ruins to explore in Guatemala. Located in forrest, gives a chance to see parrots and monkeys. There are many well preserved temples. Especially a plaza surrounded by 3 really big ones is gorgeous. Near the entry is the temple of red hands with viewpoint on the lake and sunsetVisited March 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 7, 2024
- Anniek Z1 contributionBeautiful yaxha with a great tour guideYaxha was amazing and a special thanks to our enthusiastic tour guide Caesar. As soon as we departed from Flores, we were up for a good tour. We did the sunset tour to Yaxha and Caesar explained us during the bus ride a lot about Flores and the department Petén. In the park he not only gave us lots of information about the calendar, culture and old sacred buildings but also he showed us a lot of wildlife. It was great going to Yaxha, very quiet and calm and the sunset was great. Thanks Caesar for telling us all about the old Maya rituals and the meaning of the buildings. (phone number Caesar also known as the fox: +502 3029-8935 )Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 1, 2024
- Nora M6 contributionsbeautiful YaxhaWe travel from Guatemala city to Peten Itza, Airlines were amazing! then Car service "Alamo" wait for us at the airport. Very professional, great service. We drove to Yaxha, beautiful place. We spend at least 2.30 hours. Walked, have pictures, drink water. (we have our own). Everyone very helpful and was an amazing adventure. We saw the monkeys very closed. I will love to take back my 6 grand kids!..Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 7, 2024
- Miguel Tours Guatemala (Facebook)Guatemala City, Guatemala72 contributionsYaxha Archaeological SiteCharming site of Yaxha, deep archaeology, huge temples to climb and pyramids. Yaxha is lovely with sunsets. Its two lakes decorate the site, its nature. Yaxha is inside the Mayan Biosphere Reserve in peten Guatemala. Guide Miguel Vasquez has done an excellent job. I recommend it. He's very professional.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 9, 2024
- omegonBangkok, Thailand293 contributionsBest sunset views in the areaWhile the ruins are not as grand as Tikal, Yaxha is still a place worth visiting with lots of history and especially a great place to view the sunset. If you are going on a tour from Flores this would almost always be the itinerary. The drive can be somewhat long, and the last 12 KM is on dirt roads. Inside the park there are no restaurants, only vendors selling some drinks and snacks.Visited November 2024Traveled soloWritten December 2, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Richard B
Edinburgh, UK5,534 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Yaxha is a truly amazing place to see and not something you just 'add-on' because your at Tikal and want something else to do. Yaxha is a big ticket item in its own right and a 'must do' if you've made it to Tikal.
A similar distance from Flores area circa 1 hour and 20. The last part of the road is pretty rubbish but easily passable with care. I was in a budget rental and there were minivans full of tourists easily making the trip.
Once there, the visitor centre overlooks the lake and gives you a taster for what awaits. The archaeological area is spread out around beautiful jungle/country. The lake is a place of peace and tranquility and the area also has credentials as a RAMSAR ornithological site too.
Not as big as Tikal, however a few scalable vantage points and an extensive enough area to enjoy a quiet, unspoiled area. I would highly recommend a visit if in town.
A similar distance from Flores area circa 1 hour and 20. The last part of the road is pretty rubbish but easily passable with care. I was in a budget rental and there were minivans full of tourists easily making the trip.
Once there, the visitor centre overlooks the lake and gives you a taster for what awaits. The archaeological area is spread out around beautiful jungle/country. The lake is a place of peace and tranquility and the area also has credentials as a RAMSAR ornithological site too.
Not as big as Tikal, however a few scalable vantage points and an extensive enough area to enjoy a quiet, unspoiled area. I would highly recommend a visit if in town.
Written February 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen L
Rye, UK31 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
I took the sunset tour of Yaxha. We had a pick up from Flores at midday. Nice mix of nationalities though I was the granddaddy of the group. Booked through Adrenalina Tours in Xela, though contracted out to a guide/ operator.
It’s a bumpy and slow last 12km or so along an unmade road. But what awaits you is great. Not on the scale of Tikal but as impressive in its own way. Enjoyable for there being many fewer people about and fun for you being encouraged to climb some of the larger temples - would never be permitted by ‘elf & safety these days in Blighty.
The sunset bit itself is really atmospheric with beautiful views over the lagoon. Again, as enjoyable in its way as sunrise over Tikal.
Thanks to Patrick at Adrenalina for setting me up with this. Would like to acknowledge the guide but can’t remember his name/ company.
It’s a bumpy and slow last 12km or so along an unmade road. But what awaits you is great. Not on the scale of Tikal but as impressive in its own way. Enjoyable for there being many fewer people about and fun for you being encouraged to climb some of the larger temples - would never be permitted by ‘elf & safety these days in Blighty.
The sunset bit itself is really atmospheric with beautiful views over the lagoon. Again, as enjoyable in its way as sunrise over Tikal.
Thanks to Patrick at Adrenalina for setting me up with this. Would like to acknowledge the guide but can’t remember his name/ company.
Written December 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben F
Bloomington, IN1,841 contributions
Dec 2022
Want a Tikal-esque experience without the crowds? Yaxha is the way to go. The park staff were generous enough to allow the owner of my lodge, the nearby El Sombrero, to take her four-wheel-drive SUV into the heart of the park so that I could see the incredible ruins without needing to walk too much, which, as someone who normally gets around using an electric wheelchair, was very helpful, since I was exhausted from previously walking a LOT. The fee at the main entrance is very cheap, and any cost to get in will be worth it.
The ruins are structures you just need to see for yourself to extract full value. They were so enchanting and fascinating, and to imagine that only a fraction of all the buildings are currently visible to our eyes today…the city of Yaxha was massive back in the day! And I learned there was a path actually linking Yaxha with Tikal that is now, of course, all buried in flora and trees. The Mayans were extremely resourceful and meticulous, and their urban planning strategies were insane!
Getting to the park will take awhile, both if originating from Flores or the Belize/Guatemala border, but the trek is one of the coolest things you can do in the country. I felt perfectly safe and at ease. Check out this gem as soon as possible! (And maybe keep it a secret from your friends!)
The ruins are structures you just need to see for yourself to extract full value. They were so enchanting and fascinating, and to imagine that only a fraction of all the buildings are currently visible to our eyes today…the city of Yaxha was massive back in the day! And I learned there was a path actually linking Yaxha with Tikal that is now, of course, all buried in flora and trees. The Mayans were extremely resourceful and meticulous, and their urban planning strategies were insane!
Getting to the park will take awhile, both if originating from Flores or the Belize/Guatemala border, but the trek is one of the coolest things you can do in the country. I felt perfectly safe and at ease. Check out this gem as soon as possible! (And maybe keep it a secret from your friends!)
Written December 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MMM & Pipa
Logrono, Spain14 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
It was a surprise. In the shadow of Tikal, this site is often outside of the usual tourist visits, but what a shame!
It is a wonderful city, with more than 500 buildings, of which it is true that there are few excavated and exposed, but those that are, are magnificent. And walking among the hills formed by the tree-covered ruins, in the heart of a jungle, surrounded by two natural lakes, is impressive.
The city was huge. Walk through the different sectors of the city, have the opportunity to climb to the top of the pyramids, observe the views from above, a wonderful enclave in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve.
Walk almost alone, feel the human silence, but perceive the noise of nature like nowhere else: howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and beautiful birds everywhere!
Worth!
Bring water. It is very hot and humid. There are mosquitoes. And physically if you want to climb the wooden walkways, or the pyramid stairs to the top, it is demanding.
It is a wonderful city, with more than 500 buildings, of which it is true that there are few excavated and exposed, but those that are, are magnificent. And walking among the hills formed by the tree-covered ruins, in the heart of a jungle, surrounded by two natural lakes, is impressive.
The city was huge. Walk through the different sectors of the city, have the opportunity to climb to the top of the pyramids, observe the views from above, a wonderful enclave in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve.
Walk almost alone, feel the human silence, but perceive the noise of nature like nowhere else: howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and beautiful birds everywhere!
Worth!
Bring water. It is very hot and humid. There are mosquitoes. And physically if you want to climb the wooden walkways, or the pyramid stairs to the top, it is demanding.

Written October 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
murali8121
Kochi (Cochin), India797 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
With an area of 143 sq.miles, this is a cluster of three parks -Yaxha,Nahum and Naranjo and has been named a world heritage site in 2006. Open 6.00 am to 6.00 pm all days and entry for foreign citizens at 80.00 quetzals, this boasts a history of 1500 years. Due to the presence of lagoons, this is also the path of migratory birds. This is one place you can follow the roaring sound silently and get to see the howler monkeys establishing their territories. The sound they make is so loud a roar that you might feel there are lions around!
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
petergerman2016
Guatemala708 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Yaxha is the better Tikal. It is not so crowded, it is located at the lake and still the ruins are impressive.
Also, many ruins have not yet been excavated. Yaxha is 1 hour drive from the lake Peten Itza. Of course Yaxha is not as big as Tikal, and in 3-4 hours you have seen everything, but there is no more beautiful sunset than from Pyramid 216. The view over the jungle overlooking the lake - priceless.
I loved it and I can recommend it anytime.
Also, many ruins have not yet been excavated. Yaxha is 1 hour drive from the lake Peten Itza. Of course Yaxha is not as big as Tikal, and in 3-4 hours you have seen everything, but there is no more beautiful sunset than from Pyramid 216. The view over the jungle overlooking the lake - priceless.
I loved it and I can recommend it anytime.
Written May 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob C
San Jose, CA2,105 contributions
Apr 2021
Yaxha- Nakum-Naranjo National Park is the home of the impressive ruins of an ancient Mayan city of Yaxha. The trip from Flores by car takes about 1.5 hours. The entry fee is 80Q for foreigners. There are lots of restored structures and several restored pyramids. You can scale some of them, but not everyone. Many more structures remain covered by vegetation. Park was not busy in early April of 2021, maybe 10 people in the entire place. Access is difficult and involves a 1/2 he ride down a narrow dirt path. The bathrooms are located at the ticket office and right by the entrance. I'd come back.
Written April 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim L
Orillia, Canada715 contributions
Feb 2020
To the north, there’s a hundred miles of jungle before being crossed by a single highway. On the map, it’s just a small corner of Central America. But here, it looks like forever! To the south, immediately below me, is a courtyard bounded on three sides by temple pyramids and on the fourth by administration buildings. Beyond, mostly hidden by the dense forest, the abandon city of Yaxha unfolds. Except for the tops of a few other pyramids, all I see is jungle now. But a 1,000 years ago? What would I be looking over?
For a few minutes, I have this space to myself. The forest is alive with the sounds of birds. A rustle in the trees indicates a spider monkey, while barking and growling in the distance indicates a troop of howler monkeys. The thigh burning climb up the steep steps gave me some time to think about the history of this place. If only the stones could speak! They’d tell me of the people that walked these steps before me. How did they live? How did they die? What did they laugh about? What made them cry? What were their daily, most dull routines?
It’s a strange thing to be standing here. This isn’t just a scenic outlook or an observation tower. Archaeologists tell us these are temples. Perhaps on this very spot, 1,000 years ago, blood was being spilled as a sacrifice. Even human sacrifice. For some, this scenic view was their last view. It’s a strange thing indeed.
Another couple approaches the pyramid, gets halfway up and laughs and jokes about being out of shape. Finally, they join me at the top, huffing and puffing like I had a few minutes before. The spell is broken, and I head down, still thinking of the footsteps I follow.
If you can handle the road, Yaxha is THE place to visit in Peten. Nearby Tikal may be bigger, more developed and more extensive, but it's also much more popular. Wandering Yaxha, you might feel like you are alone in an undiscovered world. We saw maybe 2 dozen people in 4 hours. A must see, must experience place.
For a few minutes, I have this space to myself. The forest is alive with the sounds of birds. A rustle in the trees indicates a spider monkey, while barking and growling in the distance indicates a troop of howler monkeys. The thigh burning climb up the steep steps gave me some time to think about the history of this place. If only the stones could speak! They’d tell me of the people that walked these steps before me. How did they live? How did they die? What did they laugh about? What made them cry? What were their daily, most dull routines?
It’s a strange thing to be standing here. This isn’t just a scenic outlook or an observation tower. Archaeologists tell us these are temples. Perhaps on this very spot, 1,000 years ago, blood was being spilled as a sacrifice. Even human sacrifice. For some, this scenic view was their last view. It’s a strange thing indeed.
Another couple approaches the pyramid, gets halfway up and laughs and jokes about being out of shape. Finally, they join me at the top, huffing and puffing like I had a few minutes before. The spell is broken, and I head down, still thinking of the footsteps I follow.
If you can handle the road, Yaxha is THE place to visit in Peten. Nearby Tikal may be bigger, more developed and more extensive, but it's also much more popular. Wandering Yaxha, you might feel like you are alone in an undiscovered world. We saw maybe 2 dozen people in 4 hours. A must see, must experience place.
Written May 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mayahma
United States2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Loved the sunset tour to Yaxha, it was peaceful and beautiful. We saw beautiful ruins that we were able to climb up, the vistas were extraordinary! I highly recommend visiting.
Warning: if you do a tour from Flores, I recommend asking the name of your tour guide, if it is Saul, Do not Go! Find a different tour guide. My niece and I and the rest of our group were left on our own, and were reprimanded by Saul like children, we were all spoken to in Spanish, even when we told him that some of the group didn't understand Spanish. He even made fun of most of us! Saul is the tour guide who hates tourists!
Warning: if you do a tour from Flores, I recommend asking the name of your tour guide, if it is Saul, Do not Go! Find a different tour guide. My niece and I and the rest of our group were left on our own, and were reprimanded by Saul like children, we were all spoken to in Spanish, even when we told him that some of the group didn't understand Spanish. He even made fun of most of us! Saul is the tour guide who hates tourists!
Written July 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GillyBum63
King's Lynn, UK37 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This was a much quieter trip to see the ruins than any of the others that we have been to. There is a long bumpy track which is not unusual to get to it but once there it is a very relaxing to walk through the woods listening to the Howler monkeys and learning the scale of the place and how much more there is to discover.What is there is to see is very interesting and our guide from Maya Trails was great, not so many visitors and no facilities on site only at check in. The Howler monkeys were amazing to listen to, they sound like dinosaurs!
We also visited Tikal which could not of been more different.
We also visited Tikal which could not of been more different.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, are English speaking tour guides available to hire on site? If there are, what would be the cost of a guided tour for 2 people?
Written February 25, 2023
Quisiera saber si alguien ha visitado Yaxha con niños. Tenemos 2 (3 años y medio y 1 año). Si lo recomendarían? Y si si... Que tips me pueden dar?
Written January 5, 2021
Are there storage lockers here for baggage like there is in Tikal?
Written September 27, 2019
proximamente vamos a visitar las ruinas y quisiera saber si disponen de sitio para poder dejar las mochilas mientras se realiza la visita a las ruinas
Written October 16, 2018
Cuando viajamos a Yaxha había un grupo que dejó su equipaje en el transporte que nos llevó ya que luego tenían que ir a la terminal de buses para continuar viaje. No recuerdo si había posibilidad de guardar el equipaje en la entrada de la reserva pero supongo que habrá también esa opción
Written October 16, 2018
Hola, para ver el atardecer es necesario realizar algun tour? o se puede subir por nuestra cuenta sin necesidad de guia ni tour?
Written April 2, 2018
Hi,
What was the parking like at Yaxha, safe and did it cost extra?
Thanks
Written November 30, 2017
Hi Kurtis,
There were only a handful of folks there so basically no parking issues. I do not know the cost as I hired a guide and driver.
As for safety I never felt or noticed anything that would make me feel unsafe. If you read my review I hope you have the same chance I did to be alone at the top of 216 and sit quietly and take it all in. For me there was something very special about this site more so than any of the others I visited on my last two trips.
I look forward to reading your review let me know when you post if you remember to do so.
Cheers
John
Written November 30, 2017
Hotels with jungle and animals around?
Written June 10, 2017
What is a great hotel with jungle and animals around? is it better to stay in the park? someone wrote about a hotel in the jungle on the lake but they didn't say the name- anyone?
Written June 10, 2017
Stay at Ecolodge El Sombrero! It’s a delightful spot right by the park entrance. The owner Gabriella can arrange tours, transportation from Flores and whatever you need. The food is great, the lakeside location is gorgeous and the prices are low. Rustic (spotty WiFi) but who cares when you’re in paradise? I wish it was listed on TripAdvisor so I could give it an enthusiastic review.
Written January 7, 2019
How do we get from the border with BZE to Yaxha? Is the dollar exchange rate to Quetzals reasonable at the border?
Written February 28, 2017
I would ask this on the Trip Advisor Forum for Guatemala - there's a poster named Sonia who might be able to help with specifics. You can catch a bus from the border to the access road for Yaxhá, but buses heading from there to Yaxhá (10-15 miles, I think) are far more limited; I think you'd have to spend the night at the hostel near the site in order to use public transit, leaving the next morning. There might be vans heading in or out you could hitch a ride on but I wouldn't count on it.
Know the current exchange rate and you'll get a good rate from the money changers at the border; if you don't know the current rate they might convince you to take fewer quetzales per dollar. If you google 'oanda cheat sheet' you can print out a little conversion sheet for your wallet to keep handy. Happy trails!
Written March 1, 2017
We are planning to visit Belize in April and want to also Tikal and Yaxha in Guatemala. We will have a rental car in Belize, but have seen that many people suggest leaving the rental car in Belize and not driving in Guatemala for various reasons. Have others driven themselves? If we don't drive, we would just want transportation to Yaxha, then to Tikal (where we would spend the night) and then back to San Ignacio the next day. Can anyone recommend companies that will just handle transportation and not require us to also book a tour? Thanks
Written February 21, 2017
I would totally drive into Guatemela. We did it and it was fine and very easy. Rent a car using Crystal Auto Belize and let them know you are going to Guat. It's a pretty simple process. Definitely go to Tikal and Yaxha, so worth it.
Written February 21, 2017
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