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National park · Guatemala

Maya Biosphere Reserve

Enter Maya Biosphere Reserve for a day: pay the park fee (≈150 GTQ per adult), take the 2‑hour hike to Mirador‑Río Azul trail early (08:00), visit Tikal in the dry season (Nov–Apr) to avoid rain and crowds.

Not field-verified
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

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 1990Ramsar wetlandSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
More
Map to the park
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Directions
From where I am

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

Area

21,602 km² (8,341 sq mi)

approximate

Established

1990

Best months

Nov–Apr

UNESCO

Biosphere

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
21,602 km² (8,341 sq mi)
Official CONAP data; covers ~20 % of Guatemala.
Established
1990
Best months
Nov–Apr
Permits
For some areas

Maya Biosphere Reserve, managed by CONAP, spans over 21,600 km² of northern Guatemalan jungle, encompassing wetlands, low hills and several national parks. It protects diverse wildlife and hosts major Maya archaeological sites such as Tikal and El Mirador, making it a key destination for jungle trekking and cultural exploration.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1990UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
  • Ramsar wetlandWetland of international importance.

Size and age

21,602 km² (8,341 sq mi) · national park since 1990

Official CONAP data; covers ~20 % of Guatemala.

Why go

  • Explore the largest tropical jungle outside the Amazon.
  • Visit major Maya sites such as Tikal and El Mirador within the reserve.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanBest
  2. FebBest
  3. MarBest
  4. AprBest
  5. MayGo
  6. JunCaution
  7. JulCaution
  8. AugCaution
  9. SepCaution
  10. OctGo
  11. NovBest
  12. DecBest
  • JanDry, cool.
  • FebDry, cool.
  • MarDry, warm.
  • AprEnd of dry season.
  • MayStart of rains.
  • JunRainy, humidity up.
  • JulFrequent showers.
  • AugRainy, possible floods.
  • SepRainy, humidity high.
  • OctRain tapering.
  • NovDry, comfortable.
  • DecDry, cool.

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Maya Biosphere Reserve
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Jaguar (rare sightings)All yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Howler monkeysAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Scarlet macawMar–Sepnonoyesyesyesyesyesyesyesnonono

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

Taxi or shuttle from Flores airport to the CONAP gate (≈30 km (19 mi)).

45 min

From Guatemala City

Domestic flight to Flores (≈1 h) then taxi to gate.

2–3 h total

Open the page →

From Mexico (Cancún)

Direct flight to Flores (≈2 h) then road transfer.

≈3 h

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Maya Biosphere Reserve
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Northern sectorWetlands, low hills, access to Laguna del Tigre.Open with park ticket.
Central sectorTikal National Park, jungle trails.Ticket plus site entry fee.
Southern sectorEl Mirador and remote biotopes.Guided tours only.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 4 approximate points in Maya Biosphere Reserve, north up1234
Coordinates approximate; central point near the CONAP entrance.
  1. 1CONAP gate · Gate≈16.925, -90.285Map ↗
  2. 2Tikal ruins · Viewpoint≈16.910, -89.880Map ↗
  3. 3El Mirador pyramid · Viewpoint≈16.748, -90.657Map ↗
  4. 4Laguna del Tigre · Viewpoint≈16.600, -90.300Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

4 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 approximate; central point near the CONAP entrance.

See & do

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

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

TrailsModerate4–5 hTikal sunrise trekWalk from the park gate to Tikal's Great Plaza; start before 6 am to catch sunrise.
TrailsHard6–8 hMirador‑Río Azul trailCrosses diverse habitats; remote, limited signage.Booking: Guide required
Boat tripsEasy2 hLaguna del Tigre boat rideObserve wildlife from water; depart from the northern sector dock.

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 Maya Biosphere Reserve
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry (CONAP gate)GTQ 150person2026 estimate; includes access to main trails.

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

Park entry permit or guide

Ticket purchased at the CONAP entrance near Flores.

Archaeological site access permit or guide

Separate ticket at each site (e.g., Tikal, El Mirador).

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Guides
Required for any trek beyond the main road in the southern sector.
Camping
Only in designated campgrounds; permits obtained at the gate.
Fire
Open fires prohibited outside designated areas.
Drones
Not allowed without CONAP permission.check
Wildlife interaction
Do not feed or approach animals.

Where to stay

Near the park

Flores hotels

Range from budget hostels to mid‑range hotels, 10 km (6.2 mi) from the park gate.

In the park

Eco‑lodge near Laguna del Tigre

Basic cabins with guided tours.

Safety

Heat and humidity medium

Carry water, wear sun protection, start hikes early.

Lost in jungle high

Travel with a certified guide; satellite phone recommended.

Rainfall flooding medium

Check weather forecasts; avoid low‑lying trails during heavy rain.

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

  • Main gate reachable by car; short boardwalks are level.
  • Long jungle treks are steep and unsuitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

  • Choose guides certified by CONAP.
  • Support community‑run eco‑lodges.
  • Do not purchase souvenirs made from wildlife parts.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Maya Biosphere Reserve?

The park entry fee is about 150 GTQ per adult (≈$20 USD) paid at the CONAP gate.

What are the best hikes in Maya Biosphere Reserve?

Top hikes are the Tikal sunrise trek (moderate, 4‑5 h) and the Mirador‑Río Azul trail (hard, 6‑8 h, guide required).

When is the best time to visit Maya Biosphere Reserve?

The dry season, November to April, offers the most reliable weather and fewer insects.

Do I need a guide for Tikal?

A guide is optional for the main temple complex but required for any off‑site jungle treks.

Are there camping facilities?

Designated campgrounds exist in the northern sector; a permit is required at the gate.

Related

visit Northern Lowlands Guatemala travel guide best time to visit guatemala

Deep dive

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

Show the detailsHide

Sources

Ask about Maya Biosphere Reserve

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