Uaxactún One Day
Uaxactún is a remote Mayan site in Petén that’s notable for its astronomical observatory. This one-day tour allows you to explore the lesser-visited ruins of Uaxactún.
- Duration:
- 6 hrs
- Available Days:
- Every day
- Schedule:
- 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM
- Hotel Transportation Offered
- Mobile Ticket Included
- Offered in English, Spanish
Uaxactún is located 14 miles (23 km) north of Tikal. It’s much smaller than Tikal, but nonetheless has some interesting features. Uaxactún reached its peak during the Late Preclassic period between 350 BC and 250 AD—it was during this time that many of the structures still standing were built. During its heyday, Uaxactún developed a bitter rivalry with Tikal, one that would eventually lead to its destruction.
This tour leaves Flores at 7:30 AM. You’ll drive 55 miles (90 km) to Uaxactún in about 2 hours. Once you arrive at the site, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the archeological ruins and learn about the people who created them.
At Group E, you’ll explore three temples that function as an astronomical observatory. The temples are built from north to south and are specifically situated to align with the sun on certain days of the year. When viewed from a nearby temple, the sun rises behind the north temple on the longest day of the year and behind the southern temple on the shortest day of the year. The precision is incredible.
There are altars and stelae to visit at Uaxactún, as well as a temple and staircase that’s inscribed with jaguar and snake stucco masks. The foundation of this temple may date to around 2,000 BC.
The tour wraps up around 1 PM and you’ll drive back to Flores.
Attraction Visited
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 or cap and money for meals not specified, personal expenses, handicrafts, and tipping the guide-driver.
What's included
Transportation from Flores area and Mundo Maya Airport, Entrance Fee to National Park, Bilingual english-spanish professional guide. Rustic 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.
Traveler Comments
I really enjoyed all the ruins. They were really nice!
/Best part of this tour was the serendipty - meeting an interesting guard of a small museum and learning about some of the pieces held there - also buying allspice (pimienta gorda) from the grower/harvester.
Similar things to do
Yaxhá is the third largest Mayan site in Guatemala, but due to its seclusion, it tends to lack large crowds. Enjoy a visit to Yaxhá during this one-day tour.
Yaxhá and Topoxté are ancient Mayan sites in Petén, Guatemala. During this tour, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Yaxhá and Topoxté and also experience the sights and sounds of the jungle.
This tour visits the Mayan site of Dos Pilas, which is located in Petén. Dos Pilas was a Mayan capital and has several interesting structures still standing.
