Temple 216
Sunset over the lake.
Cafeyaxha — Public domain · Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China — CC0 · Simon Burchell — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China — CC0
A large Maya city far less crowded than Tikal, on hills between lakes Yaxhá and Sacnab in eastern Petén. It was the third-largest city in the region, peaking around AD 250 to 600, and its name means «blue-green water». The site holds more than five hundred structures, including pyramids, plazas, two ballcourts and raised stone causeways; some have been cleared and restored, while many remain green mounds under the trees. The tallest, Temple 216 in the East Acropolis, is climbed by a wooden stair. Yaxhá is best at sunset from the top of Temple 216, when the lake below turns gold and the forest stretches to the horizon, which is why many tours from Flores come in the afternoon. Howler and spider monkeys and birds live in the forest. On a small island in the lake stand the ruins of Topoxté, from the last Maya era, reached by boat. Heat and humidity are high and mosquitoes plentiful, so carry water, repellent and a hat. Petén is a vast, thinly populated region, so travel by day on tourist shuttles or known tours, and keep away from the Mexican border areas.
Sunset over the lake.
Among the trees.
Island ruins.
Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo National Park, eastern Petén, about two hours from Flores
Tikal is grander and more famous; Yaxhá is much quieter with one of Petén's best sunsets, so with two days see both.