An Amazing Overnight among Mayan Ruins

One of the longest-occupied Mayan cities, Uaxactún amazes by day with its incredible ruins and enchants by night with its nocturnal creatures. After your morning arrival in Flores, a day of exploring lies ahead among the temples.

You’ll visit a cluster of celestially oriented ruins that, to this day, accurately pinpoint the sun when the seasons change. In the village, you’ll learn about the natural gum, allspice, and xate (exported globally for floral arrangements) that locals collect. At dusk, you’ll climb a lookout tower for sunset drinks, followed by nighttime jungle exploration.

Keep an eye out for watchful owls, spooky insects such as tarantulas, and the coatimundi (long-tailed cousin of the raccoon). Afterward, enjoy a delicious, locally made dinner before camping overnight amid the ruins.

The next day starts with breakfast and a last look around Uaxactún. A 45-minute ride through the deep jungle will take you to Tikal National Park, where some 3,000 ancient structures rise from the rainforest floor. You will enter Tikal through the forest, an area most visitors never get to see.

Not only will you enjoy a fascinating tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, but you’ll also experience the sights and sounds of tropical birds and animals, including howler and spider monkeys. Following in the footsteps of Maya royalty and commoners, you will visit the majestic Great Plaza and its Temple of the Jaguar (44 metres / 144 feet), Temple of the Masks (38m / 125ft), the Acropolis, and much more. You will enjoy a picnic lunch and will have time afterwards, if you wish, to continue exploring this intriguing site before departing for your next destination.

The Uaxactún camping getaway uniquely combines jungle, cultural, and archaeological encounters.