Mayan World | Porta Hotels

Mayan World

If you decide to follow the road that passes over Río Dulce by car or bus, crossing an imposing bridge, in a matter of hours you will enter the territory that belonged millennia ago to the Low Lands of the Mayan civilization: Petén. It is also possible to reach this department by air, through the Mundo Maya Airport, in a pleasant one hour plane trip from the capital city that allows viewing of the exotic jungle landscape, its aquamarine lakes and the vast extension of the largest department in Guatemala.

The Tikal National Park is inside the Reservation of the Mayan Biosphere, first protected area of the country, recognized by UNESCO as World Patrimony in 1979. The park has an extension of  574 kmÇ and it includes the important city of Tikal, one of the most splendid Mayan metropoli, along with Chichén Itzá in Mexico and Copán, in Honduras. The most attractive area in the park is the Central Acropolis, a group of edifications that were the political center of the region. Their majestic pyramids are unique, and they have bequeathed the kings' considerable treasures, the “Ahaw” (Mayan Lords) that built them and defended them from attacks of neighboring cities, like Mirador and Dos Pilas, also in the department of Petén. Oustanding are the beauty of the two central temples, Temple I or The Great Jaguar (55 m/180.4 ft tall), and Temple II or Temple of The Masks (50 m/164 ft), and the imposing height of Temple IV or Temple of the Great Priest (64 m/ 210 ft) from which summit you can see the entire valley. The cleared and uncovered area of Tikal is only 16 kmÇ of the 60 kmÇ that compose its entirety. Among its groves one can still hear the echo of the Mayan conches and watch the stars under a completely clear sky, as well as observe wildlife, species like jaguars, wild turkeys and howling monkeys, among many others. The park has hotels, transportation services and experienced guides and park rangers, a museum and other attractions like a thrilling canopy ride and hiking on the paths that the old Maya people crossed millennia ago, viewing colorful birds like toucans and red macaws.  

Close to Tikal National Park, the towns of Santa Elena and Isla de Flores offer lodging, exciting night life, water sports like kayaking and commercial activities, alongside beautiful Lake Petén Itzá, the second largest lake in Guatemala, host to sports competitions such as triathlons and many extreme sports, and a romantic getaway to observe evenings so beautiful, they will take your breath away.