Lake Petén Itzá Zoo and Actún Kan Caves Tour

Lake Petén Itzá Zoo and Actún Kan Caves Tour

Lake Petén Itzá has a number of interesting sights that travelers might easily miss without a little guidance. On this tour, you'll see a little bit of everything that this once-thriving Maya stomping ground has to offer.

Featured in:Cave Exploration, Species Exhibits, Ak'tun Kan Caves, Lake Petén Itzá, Maya Biosphere Reserve
Duration:
6 hrs
Available Days:
Sun Mon Wed Thu Fri Sat
Schedule:
9:30 AM
Hotel Transport Included
Mobile Ticket Included
Offered in English, Spanish

Your tour begins with a 9:30 A.M. departure from your hotel in Flores. You will travel by boat to Santa Elena to see the caves of Actún Kan. These caves form a large network of underground passageways. Visitors come to admire the large stalactites and stalagmites in the cave. Natural formations here are so distinctive that some have nicknames like “The God of Rain and “The Elephant Foot.”

After caving, you will navigate Lake Petén Itzá until you come to Petencito Island, home to a zoo that's managed by the University of San Carlos. Paths will take you past enclosures of native species, including ocelots, jaguars, and spider monkeys. Tropical birds and wild pigs roam free.

From there, the boat tour continues to the archeological site of El Mirador, on the peninsula of Tayasal. Tayasal was an important site during the post-classic era of the Maya. This city held out against the invading Spaniards the longest of any Mayan city. Many of the buildings in the area were dismantled to build temples elsewhere. The El Mirador pyramid still stands, encased in encroaching plants.

At 1:00 P.M. you will return to your hotel or the Maya Mundo International Airport. Depending on weather conditions, your tour operator may change the order of the itinerary for optimal sightseeing.

Attractions Visited

Ak'tun Kan Caves

If you’re near Flores and want to try spelunking, head to the Ak’tun Kan Caves. These limestone caves have impressive formations and are an interesting, if slightly spooky, place to explore. The Ak’tun Kan Caves are set just outside Flores and Santa Elena, both of which border Lake Petén Itzá, and they can be explored in about 30 to 45 minutes.

Read more:Ak'tun Kan Caves

Lake Petén Itzá

Just an hour away from the legendary Mayan ruins of Tikal, Lake Petén Itzá sports its own host of Mayan attractions. Visitors come to the lake to see the 27 Mayan sites that dot the shore and also visit the lake’s small islands. The lake itself offers many opportunities for swimming and tranquil boating expeditions.

Read more:Lake Petén Itzá

Maya Biosphere Reserve

The Maya Biosphere Reserve is the largest protected tropical forest in North America. Spreading across 4.3 million acres (1.7 million hectares) in Guatemala’s Petén department, this reserve protects huge expanses of forests and the Mayan ruins that lie within them.

Read more:Maya Biosphere Reserve

What to Bring

Sunscreen, camera, comfortable shoes, hat, money for meals and personal expenses, and money for tipping the guide/driver.

What's included

Transportation from Flores or Mundo Maya Airport, transportation by boat, entrance fees to national parks, professional guide, and a casual lunch.

Transportation

Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “BOOKING REQUEST” for full details.