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National park · Guatemala

Uaxactún

Buy a Tikal–Uaxactún permit (≈ Q60 total) and spend one full day in Uaxactún: walk Group E at sunrise for the solstice alignment, then explore Groups A and B and the El Respiradero cave; hire a local guide for birdwatching; stay overnight at Campamento El Chiclero (Q75/person) to catch the 06:00 bus back to Flores.

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Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
More
Map to the park
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Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

5 km² (2 sq mi)

approximate

Established

2000

Best months

Apr, Dec

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 9Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
  • Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
  • Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
  • Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
  • Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
  • Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
  • Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
  • Northern Lowlands ↗Rainy season is late May to October; expect afternoon rain and more mosquitoes.
  • Northern Lowlands ↗Remote ruins (Río Azul, Xultún, Holmul) are dry-season trips only, February to June, and need a guide.
  • Northern Lowlands ↗Do not drive the Petén highways at night; use first-class buses or fly.

At a glance

Country
Guatemala
Area
5 km² (2 sq mi)
approximate size of the archaeological zone; check
Established
2000
Best months
Apr, Dec
Permits
For some areas

Uaxactún is a living village built among the ruins of an ancient Maya city, 23 km north of Tikal on a rough dirt road. The ruins are free to enter once you hold a combined Tikal–Uaxactún permit (≈ Q60 total). The main draws are the Group E astronomical complex, the unrestored Groups A and B, and the chance to see how a remote Petén community lives inside the Maya Biosphere Reserve. The site sees a fraction of Tikal’s visitors, so you can climb the structures and walk the jungle trails without crowds.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.

Size and age

5 km² (2 sq mi) · national park since 2000

approximate size of the archaeological zone; check

Why go

  • A real Maya site with a living village, not a museum – you can climb the ruins freely.
  • Group E’s astronomical complex is one of the oldest known solar observatories in the Maya world.
  • Very few visitors: you may have the ruins to yourself even in high season.
  • Support a community that lives sustainably inside the Maya Biosphere Reserve.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanGo
  2. FebGo
  3. MarGo
  4. AprBest
  5. MayCaution
  6. JunCaution
  7. JulCaution
  8. AugCaution
  9. SepCaution
  10. OctGo
  11. NovGo
  12. DecBest
  • JanDry, cooler mornings
  • FebDry, still warm
  • MarStart of rains, but early month dry
  • AprDry, comfortable heat
  • MayRainy season begins
  • JunFrequent downpours
  • JulHeavy rain, road muddy
  • AugPeak rain, road difficult
  • SepRain still common
  • OctRain eases, still warm
  • NovDry, hot
  • DecDry, cooler evenings

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Uaxactún
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Howler monkeysAll year · Commonly heard around the ruins.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Spider monkeysAll year · Often seen in trees near Groups A & B.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Forest birds (toucans, parrots, motmots, oropendolas)All year · More visible than at Tikal; best with a guide.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Jaguar, puma, tapir (rare)All year · Present in the reserve; attacks are extremely rare.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map

How to get there

From Flores / Santa Elena

White bus (Q70, 3–4 h) from the old market in Santa Elena, leaves ≈14:00; or a black van (Q50, 3–4 h) from Mercado Terminal Nueva, leaves ≈15:00. Both arrive in Uaxactún in the late afternoon.

3–4 h

Open the page →

From Tikal ruins entrance

The white bus passes the Tikal control gate around 16:00 (Q20, 1–2 h). Wave it down; arrive at the gate by 15:30 to exchange your permit for a bracelet. High‑clearance vehicle recommended if driving.

1–2 h

From Guatemala City

Fly to Flores (≈1 h, from Q600), then take the bus from Santa Elena as above.

≈5 h total

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Uaxactún
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Uaxactún village centreGrassy airstrip (now the main square), shops, Restaurante Uaxactún, small archaeological museum, and the OMYC tourism office.Open to all; cash only.
Groups A & BLargest excavated area of the ancient city, with several climbable structures and a parking lot.Free with permit; follow the main street east from the airstrip.
Group EOlder political centre with the astronomical complex: three temples aligned to solstices and equinoxes, and a well‑preserved pyramid with large stucco masks.Free with permit; signposted from the east side of the airstrip (≈10 min walk).
El RespiraderoNatural cave that emits a stream of cool air; can be crawled into.Free; short trail from the southwest corner of Group A.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 5 approximate points in Uaxactún, north up12345
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the village.
  1. 1Uaxactún village centre · Town≈17.394, -89.635Map ↗
  2. 2Group A & B ruins · Trail≈17.395, -89.633Map ↗
  3. 3Group E astronomical complex · Viewpoint≈17.395, -89.635Map ↗
  4. 4El Respiradero cave · Cave≈17.396, -89.632Map ↗
  5. 5Campamento El Chiclero · Sleep≈17.395, -89.633Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.

Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the village.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

ViewpointsModerate1 hGroup E astronomical complexClimb the pyramid for views over the jungle; best at sunrise during the dry season.
TrailsEasy1.5–2 hGroups A & B walkWell‑marked paths; climb the structures freely – no restrictions as at Tikal.
CavesEasy30 minEl Respiradero caveCool air stream; bring a torch if you want to crawl inside.
WildlifeEasy2–3 hBirdwatching walkHire a local guide from the OMYC office for the best spots; birdlife is denser than at Tikal.
CultureEasy1 hVillage cultural strollVisit the small archaeological museum, see the chicle and xate harvesting, and observe daily life.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related

Entry fees and permits

GTQ ranges · check
Fees for Uaxactún
ItemRangePerNote
Tikal entry (required to reach Uaxactún)GTQ 150personStandard Tikal day ticket; you must pass through Tikal to get to Uaxactún.
Uaxactún permit (bought with Tikal ticket)GTQ 30personRequired for all visitors; issued as a bracelet at the Tikal entrance gate.
Bus Flores–Uaxactún (white bus)GTQ 70personOne daily departure ≈14:00 from Santa Elena market; 3–4 h.
Bus Uaxactún–Flores (white bus)GTQ 70personDeparts village ≈06:00–07:00 from the main street.
Campamento El Chiclero – room per personGTQ 75personBasic cabaña with solar light; generator runs a few hours in the evening.
Set dinner at Restaurante UaxactúnGTQ 50personOrder an hour ahead; open until 20:00–21:00.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Tikal entry ticket permit or guide

Buy online or at the Tikal ticket office; valid for one day.

Uaxactún permit permit or guide

Purchase together with the Tikal ticket; show it at the Tikal entrance to receive a bracelet.

What would our group pay?

from the fee rows above · estimates

People

2

Nights or days

1
  • GTQ 150
  • GTQ 30
  • GTQ 70
  • GTQ 70
  • GTQ 75
  • GTQ 50

Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.

A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Permit required
You must have a Uaxactún permit (bought with a Tikal ticket) and a bracelet issued at the Tikal entrance. No entry without it.
Opening hours
Ruins open 06:00–18:00. Do not enter before 06:00 or stay after 18:00.
Cash only
No ATMs in Uaxactún or Tikal. Bring enough GTQ for permits, food, lodging, and transport.
Camping
Camp only at Campamento El Chiclero or with local permission; no open fires.
Litter
Carry out all rubbish. The village has no waste collection.
Climbing ruins
Climbing is allowed on most structures, but be careful of loose stone and steep drops.

Where to stay

In the park

Campamento El Chiclero

Basic cabaña rooms (Q75/person) with solar light, cold showers, and generator power in the evening. No outlets in rooms. Wi‑Fi at Restaurante Uaxactún.

In the park

Posada Aldana

Small guesthouse near the airstrip; may have its own Wi‑Fi. Price varies – ask locally.

Safety

Heat and dehydration medium

Carry at least 2 L of water per person; rest in shade during midday; use electrolyte drinks.

Jungle wildlife (jaguar, puma, snakes) low

Stay on trails, make noise, travel in groups, and do not run if you encounter a big cat.

Road conditions medium

Use a high‑clearance vehicle; avoid travel after heavy rain; the bus is the most reliable option.

Getting lost medium

Stick to the main trails; hire a guide for lesser‑marked paths; no cell signal anywhere in Uaxactún.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

Time out

Finding the local time zone…

Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.

Accessibility

  • The village centre and the main ruin trails (Groups A & B, Group E) are reachable on foot from the airstrip.
  • Trails are uneven and steep in places; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

  • Bring all cash you need – no ATMs means no extra trips for money.
  • Respect wildlife: keep distance from monkeys and birds; do not feed them.
  • Use locally‑run guides and accommodations to support the community.
  • Carry out all rubbish; the village has no waste management.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Uaxactún?

Entry to the ruins is free, but you must buy a Uaxactún permit (≈ Q30) together with a Tikal ticket (≈ Q150). Budget about Q180 total per person for the day.

What are the best hikes in Uaxactún?

Walk the Group A & B trail (1.5–2 h, easy), explore the Group E astronomical complex (1 h, moderate), and visit El Respiradero cave (30 min, easy). Birdwatching walks with a local guide are also excellent.

When is the best time to visit Uaxactún?

The dry season December to April offers the most comfortable heat and reliable roads. January–March are especially good for wildlife spotting.

Do I need a guide?

A guide is not required for the main ruin trails, but local guides are recommended for birdwatching and to navigate lesser‑marked paths. Hire one at the OMYC office.

Is there internet or ATMs in Uaxactún?

No ATMs; the village is cash‑only. Wi‑Fi is available at Restaurante Uaxactún and possibly at Posada Aldana. Campamento El Chiclero has no Wi‑Fi.

Can I climb the ruins at Uaxactún?

Yes. Unlike Tikal, climbing is allowed on most structures. Be careful of loose stone and steep drops.

How do I get from Tikal to Uaxactún?

The white bus from Flores passes the Tikal control gate around 16:00 (Q20, 1–2 h). Wave it down. You must have your Uaxactún permit and bracelet ready.

Related

Northern Lowlands region guide Plan your trip to Guatemala Guatemala best time to visit

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

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Sources

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