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.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 6:00 AM bus back to Flores.
- 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.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
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)2 sq mi (5 km²)
- 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)2 sq mi (5 km²) · 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
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- 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
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howler monkeysAll year · Commonly heard around the ruins. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Spider monkeysAll year · Often seen in trees near Groups A & B. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Forest birds (toucans, parrots, motmots, oropendolas)All year · More visible than at Tikal; best with a guide. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Jaguar, puma, tapir (rare)All year · Present in the reserve; attacks are extremely rare. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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.White bus (Q70, 3–4 h) from the old market in Santa Elena, leaves ≈2:00 PM; or a black van (Q50, 3–4 h) from Mercado Terminal Nueva, leaves ≈3:00 PM. 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.The white bus passes the Tikal control gate around 4:00 PM (Q20, 1–2 h). Wave it down; arrive at the gate by 3:30 PM 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
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Uaxactún village centre | Grassy airstrip (now the main square), shops, Restaurante Uaxactún, small archaeological museum, and the OMYC tourism office. | Open to all; cash only. |
| Groups A & B | Largest 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 E | Older 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 Respiradero | Natural cave that emits a stream of cool air; can be crawled into. | Free; short trail from the southwest corner of Group A. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
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
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
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tikal entry (required to reach Uaxactún) | GTQ 150 | person | Standard Tikal day ticket; you must pass through Tikal to get to Uaxactún. |
| Uaxactún permit (bought with Tikal ticket) | GTQ 30 | person | Required for all visitors; issued as a bracelet at the Tikal entrance gate. |
| Bus Flores–Uaxactún (white bus) | GTQ 70 | person | One daily departure ≈14:00 from Santa Elena market; 3–4 h. |
| Bus Uaxactún–Flores (white bus) | GTQ 70 | person | Departs village ≈06:00–07:00 from the main street. |
| Campamento El Chiclero – room per person | GTQ 75 | person | Basic cabaña with solar light; generator runs a few hours in the evening. |
| Set dinner at Restaurante Uaxactún | GTQ 50 | person | Order 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
Uaxactún permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- 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
- 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.Ruins open 6:00 AM–6:00 PM. Do not enter before 6:00 AM or stay after 6:00 PM.
- 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
Jungle wildlife (jaguar, puma, snakes) low
Road conditions medium
Getting lost medium
How much daylight do you have?
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.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Uaxactún
- secondaryWikivoyage: Uaxactun, revision 5061696 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Uaxactún
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