Guatemala - Petén
The Northern region of Guatemala, known as the Department
of Petén occupies roughly one third of Guatemala, yet contains
less than 3% of Guatemala's population. This huge expanse
of swamps, dry savannas and tropical rainforest forms part
of
an untamed
wilderness that stretches into the Lacandon Forests of
Southern Mexico and across the Maya Mountains to Belize.
It
is unlike any other part of the country, much of it is
all but untouched,
with ancient ceiba and mahogany trees towering 50m above
the forest floor and
extraordinarily rich in wildlife.
MAP
OF PETEN
MAYA BIOSHPERE RESERVE
The Petén is also part of the largest Protected
Area of Tropical Forests in Central America. The Maya
Biosphere Reserve (MBR), created by the Guatemalan government
in 1990, the reserve occupies 40% of the northern part of
the Guatemala and contains more than one million hectares.
The MBR adjoins
the vast Calakmul
Biosphere Reserve in Mexico and the Rio Bravo
Conservation Area in Belize, forming a multi-national
reserve, totaling more than two million hectares of which
it is estimated that only about one-third
has human activity.
There are several compelling reasons visitors
venture into the jungle-forests of El Peten: First
to visit important archeological sites such as Tikal,
the greatest Mayan archeological site yet excavated;
to enjoy
the great abundance and variety of wildlife
and to experience the Guatemala of small farming villages
and jungle hamlets.
San Andrés
San Andrés welcomes
you to the entrance of the Maya Biosphere Reserve,
and home of Eco-Escuela
De Español. Located
within it's territory lies 44% of
the MBR. Nearby are
various sites of archaeological interest, including Tikal, Yaxhá and
Uaxactun just to name a few, as well as
other natural attractions, including Lago Peten Itzá,
making the Petén
region
an exciting area to visit and explore. See Excursions.
San
Andrés is located along-side the shores of picturesque
lago“Petén Itzá and is a peaceful town,
seldom visited by tourists. With a population of 15,000,
most of the local population earn a living doing agriculture
related work. Some also make a living from fishing, while
others own small businesses, typically a small store known
as a "tienda".
The town of San Andrés is characterized by the
hospitality that it's people show visitors, wherever they
may come from. It
is known for being a friendly place, providing a
secure environment to learn Spanish.
However, it is a sleepy town with few cafes, restaurants,
bars, hotels, no banks, supermarkets, or other big businesses.
The nearest place for your big city needs such as banking
etc can be found in nearby Santa Elena. Photo
Gallery - San Andrés.
Flores
/ Santa Elena
A short 20 minute boat ride across Lago“Petén Itzá or 30
minutes by road from San Andrés takes you to the twin lakeside towns of
Flores and Santa Elena, which form the hub of the Department of Peten. Santa
Elena has a bustling marketplace and commercial area and is connected by a 200m
causeway to the peaceful and colorful "Isla de Flores". Here you can
Relax by the water / Walk the cobble-stone streets / watch locals play basketball
or soccer in the plaza / Admire the communities Caribbean architectural style
/ Shop for souvenirs / Dine in style / Watch a movie or tour the lake in a launcha;
where you can swim, visit a magnificent lookout point "El Mirador" and
a small island zoo. More about Flores
Tikal
Greatest of all Classic Mayan Cities Tikal is
located 75 minutes by road from Flores. In this remote
area, one of the greatest civilizations of it's time established
a city that endured for centuries. More
about Tikal
El Remate
With it's small hotels and restaurants, relaxing and rejuvenating are the big
draw. El Remate also makes a good base to explore nearby area attractions,
including Tikal, Yaxhá and Uaxactun.
Located at the eastern rim of lake Petén Itzá,
halfway between Flores and Tikal, El Remate has a population
of about 2,000 residents, who now depend heavily on tourism
as a way of safeguarding the Bio-diversity of their area.
Here you can take a tour on horseback, boat, kayak or hike
to the Cerro Cahui Biotope, which is less than 1 km away.
Cerro Cahui Biotope
The Biotope was founded in 1980 in order to protect the last dense forest around
the lake, and a small population of howler and spider monkeys. Today there
currently, exists at least 15 separate groups of monkeys.
Photo
Gallery - Actividades
Sayaxche
The town of Sayaxche, is surrounded
by the maya sites of
El Celbal, Dos Pilas and Aguateca.
From Sayaxche you can reach Mexico or continue south to
Coban. |
