
Ceibal and La Pasión River
During this tour, you'll take a boat down the La Pasión River to the Mayan site of Ceibal. It's a nice mixture of nature and history.
- Duration:
- 8 hrs
- Available Days:
- Every day
- Schedule:
- 8:00 AM
- Inquire for Transportation
- Mobile Ticket Included
- Offered in English, Spanish
This tour begins in Sayaxche or Flores, where you'll be picked up and driven to the town of Sayaxché. Once here you'll board a boat and cruise down the La Pasión River en route to Ceibal. This river was once a major trade route for the Maya and helped establish a number of cities throughout the river basin, including Ceibal. The river is also very biologically diverse, with more than 300 species of endemic birds living near its banks. As you ride along, keep your eyes peeled for animals on the shoreline.
The archeological site of Ceibal was a major ceremonial center for the Mayans. Ceibal was one of the largest cities in Guatemala's southern lowlands—at its peak, the population was close to ten thousand. Archeologists have found some the best preserved Late Classic stelae here.
Ceibal's four groups of structures are connected via causeways through the forest. There are 57 stelae in total, many of which have excellent carvings. There is a notable outside influence in some of the monuments, including waist-length hair and straight noses, which are not usually found in Mayan carvings.
After exploring Ceibal, you'll return to Flores or stay near Sayaxche for lodging.
Attractions Visited

La Pasión River flows through the western half of Petén. There are a number of Mayan archeological sites near its shores that travelers can visit via a scenic boat tour. La Pasión River is often used for transportation during the rainy season, when the water is much higher than other times of the year.
Read more:Pasion River

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, hiking shoes, hat, and money for food, personal expenses, handicrafts, and tipping the guide and/or driver.
What's included
Transportation to/from Flores-Santa Elena area, box lunch, and professional bilingual guide.
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.
Similar things to do
On this tour, you'll see the city of Ceibal, which served as an important hub for trade among ancient Maya cities.
Spend a day exploring the Mayan ruins at the Aguateca Archeological Site in Guatemala. Aguateca is found on a limestone bluff above the Petexbatún Lagoon in the department of Petén.