Maya Biosphere Reserve Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of the Petén region, the Maya Biosphere Reserve is a true gem for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Covering over 2 million hectares, this vast reserve is home to an incredible array of flora and fauna, as well as some of the most impressive ancient Mayan ruins in the world.

As you venture into the Maya Biosphere Reserve, you'll be greeted by a lush tropical forest that teems with life. Towering ceiba trees, vibrant orchids, and exotic wildlife such as jaguars, tapirs, and howler monkeys are just a few of the treasures that await you in this biodiverse paradise. Explore the trails that wind through the reserve, immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of nature at its finest.

But it's not just the natural wonders that make the Maya Biosphere Reserve so special – it's also the rich cultural heritage that lies within its boundaries. Deep within the reserve, you'll find the ancient city of Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in existence. Marvel at the towering pyramids and intricate carvings that tell the stories of a civilization that thrived here over a thousand years ago.

For a truly immersive experience, consider staying at one of the eco-lodges within the reserve. These sustainable accommodations provide a unique opportunity to connect with nature while supporting local communities and conservation efforts. Wake up to the sounds of the jungle, take guided walks with knowledgeable locals, and learn about the ongoing efforts to protect this precious ecosystem.

Local name: Reserva de la biosfera maya Area: 8340.56 mi²Elevation: 135 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 17°17'34"N, 90°52'13"W

Location

PeténGuatemala

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Maya Biosphere Reserve Top Attractions

Maya Biosphere Reserve Attractions - What to See and Explore

Maya Biosphere Reserve offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Tikal Temple V, Temple I, Temple IV, Central Acropolis. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Pyramid
Tikal Temple V
Tikal Temple V is the name given by archaeologists to one of the major pyramids at Tikal. Tikal is one of the most important archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization and is located in the Petén Department of northern Guatemala.
Legendary temple and historical site
Temple I
Tikal Temple I is the designation given to one of the major structures at Tikal, one of the largest cities and archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization in Mesoamerica. It is located in the Petén Basin region of northern Guatemala.
Pyramid • Ruins • Historical place
Temple IV
Tikal Temple IV is a Mesoamerican pyramid in the ruins of the ancient Maya city of Tikal in modern Guatemala. It was one of the tallest and most voluminous buildings in the Maya world. The pyramid was built around 741 AD. Temple IV is located at the western edge of the site core.

Park
Central Acropolis
The Central Acropolis of the ancient Maya city of Tikal is an architectural complex located immediately to the south of the Great Plaza. Tikal is one of the most important archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization and is located in the Petén Department of northern Guatemala.
Observatories and planetariums
Mundo Perdido
The Mundo Perdido is the largest ceremonial complex dating from the Preclassic period at the ancient Maya city of Tikal, in the Petén Department of northern Guatemala. The complex was organised as a large E-Group astronomical complex consisting of a pyramid aligned with a platform to the east that supported three temples.
Ruins • Memorial
Yaxchilan
Yaxchilan is an ancient Maya city located on the bank of the Usumacinta River in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. In the Late Classic Period Yaxchilan was one of the most powerful Maya states along the course of the Usumacinta River, with Piedras Negras as its major rival.
Archaeological site
Yaxha
Yaxha is a Mesoamerican archaeological site in the northeast of the Petén Basin region, and a former ceremonial centre and city of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Yaxha was the third largest city in the region and experienced its maximum power during the Early Classic period.
Park
North Acropolis
The North Acropolis of the ancient Maya city of Tikal in Guatemala is an architectural complex that served as a royal necropolis and was a centre for funerary activity for over 1300 years.
Pyramid • Ruins
Temple II
Tikal Temple II is a Mesoamerican pyramid at the Maya archaeological site of Tikal in the Petén Department of northern Guatemala. The temple was built in the Late Classic Period in a style reminiscent of the Early Classic. Temple II is located on the west side of the Great Plaza, opposite Temple I.
Pyramid
Tikal Temple III
Tikal Temple III, also known as the Temple of the Jaguar Priest, was one of the principal temple pyramids at the ancient Maya city of Tikal, in the Petén Department of modern Guatemala. The temple stands approximately 55 metres tall.
Park
Plaza of the Seven Temples
The Plaza of the Seven Temples is an architectural complex in the ruins of the Maya city of Tikal, in the Petén Department of northern Guatemala.
Large lake with archeological ruins
Lake Petén Itzá
Lake Petén Itzá is a lake in the northern Petén Department in Guatemala. It is the third largest lake in Guatemala, after Lake Izabal and Lake Atitlán. It is located around 16°59′0″N 89°48′0″W. It has an area of 99 km2, and is some 32 km long and 5 km wide. Its maximum depth is 160 m.
Ancient Mayan city with pyramid ruins
Tikal
Tikal is the ruin of an ancient city, which was likely to have been called Yax Mutal, found in a rainforest in Guatemala. It is one of the largest archeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization.
Large lake with the ruins of Topoxté
Yaxhá Lake
Yaxhá Lake is a Guatemalan lake situated in the northern department of El Petén. The ancient Maya City of Yaxhá was built on the shores of Yaxhá Lake, and the Maya ruins of Topoxté occupy a group of three small islands, Canté, Paxté and Topoxte, at the western end of the lake.
Archaeological site
Naranjo
Naranjo is a Pre-Columbian Maya city in the Petén Basin region of Guatemala. It was occupied from about 500 BC to 950 AD, with its height in the Late Classic Period. The site is part of Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park. The city lies along the Mopan and Holmul rivers, and is about 50 km east of the site of Tikal.
Locality
Piedras Negras
Piedras Negras is the modern name for a ruined city of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization located on the north bank of the Usumacinta River in the Petén department of northwestern Guatemala.
Archaeological site
Holmul
Holmul is a pre-Columbian archaeological site of the Maya civilization located in the northeastern Petén Basin region in Guatemala near the modern-day border with Belize.
Natural attraction • Protected area
Cultural Triangle Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park
The Cultural Triangle Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park is a multidisciplinary project involving archaeologists, architects, restaurateurs, and biologists. It is situated in Peten, Guatemala.
Island • Archaeological site
Topoxte
Topoxte is a pre-Columbian Maya archaeological site in the Petén Basin in northern Guatemala with a long occupational history dating as far back as the Middle Preclassic.