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Guatemala🇬🇹 | landmarksUaxactúnE-Group solstice platform, village homestays, Petén stillness, aguada reservoirs | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Uaxactún
🌟 Highlightunique site ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Uaxactún has one of the oldest astronomical observatory complexes in the Maya world, and almost nobody crosses it off a list because the road in is so rough. The village sits in the north of Guatemala, about 23 kilometers north of Tikal inside the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Crowds are a rumor here; you may share a plaza with a guard, a few howler monkeys and one other group. Costs are modest at the site, but getting here by shuttle or private ride adds up. I expected a miniature Tikal. Instead I found Group E's stucco-faced pyramids sitting beside a village soccer field, with chickens crossing the grass and a boy kicking a ball against a temple base. The jungle smells of wet leaf rot and woodsmoke, and the buzz of cicadas is loud enough to talk over. Mud is part of the deal. At the end of the lane, a ceiba stands outside a tiny shop selling cold sodas.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 unique site in GuatemalaReasons people choose to visit here

Uaxactún gives you Maya ruins without the tour-bus layer, and that is the main reason to make the bumpy trip. The jungle road north of Tikal is rough, which keeps numbers tiny. You can wander Group E, the astronomical complex, and Group A and Group B, the palace platforms, with space to stand and look. Climbing, touching the stonework edges and hearing only birds is normal here, and it changes how the ruins read.
The village itself matters too. Families run simple guesthouses and eateries, and local guides know the surrounding reserve, including the trails toward remote sites such as Río Azul. Spending money here goes directly to a community that lives on the edge of the forest.
It also fits a Tikal visit neatly. Add it as a night or two beyond the famous park, then return south toward Flores with a very different feel for the Petén.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. Group E Astronomical Complex: The site's best known sight. A pyramid on the west faces three small temples on the east, aligned so the sun rises over them at the solstices and equinoxes. It is among the earliest known solar observatories of its kind in the Maya lowlands.
  2. Temple E-VII-sub: A restored early pyramid with stucco masks and stairways, built inside a later structure. It shows how the Maya layered new buildings over old ones.
  3. Group A: A cluster of palaces and temples on a ridge. Clambering through the courtyards, you see how elite households were organized and where the city's rulers lived.
  4. Group B: A smaller complex close to Group A, with restored platforms and carved stelae. It is quiet, shady and good for photos of moss-covered stonework.
  5. Stelae of Uaxactún: Carved stone monuments
… read more 👉
  1. Group E Astronomical Complex: The site's best known sight. A pyramid on the west faces three small temples on the east, aligned so the sun rises over them at the solstices and equinoxes. It is among the earliest known solar observatories of its kind in the Maya lowlands.
  2. Temple E-VII-sub: A restored early pyramid with stucco masks and stairways, built inside a later structure. It shows how the Maya layered new buildings over old ones.
  3. Group A: A cluster of palaces and temples on a ridge. Clambering through the courtyards, you see how elite households were organized and where the city's rulers lived.
  4. Group B: A smaller complex close to Group A, with restored platforms and carved stelae. It is quiet, shady and good for photos of moss-covered stonework.
  5. Stelae of Uaxactún: Carved stone monuments scattered through the plazas record dynastic dates, and some mention a conquest by Tikal in the fourth century.
  6. Village soccer field and plaza: Locals play beside the ancient structures, and the contrast of ball games and temple bases is the village at its most memorable.
  7. Maya Biosphere Reserve jungle trails: Guides can lead you through rainforest where spider monkeys, toucans and ocellated turkeys are regularly spotted.
Uaxactún's village plaza and soccer field cost nothing to enter, while the archaeological areas charge a modest entry fee.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Uaxactún

Private Tour of Uaxactún from Flores

Private Tour of Uaxactún from Flores

0.0(0)
From €209
per personViator
Tour to Uaxactún in the Heart of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve

Tour to Uaxactún in the Heart of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve

0.0(0) 8h
From €53
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Dry Season (February to May): Roads into the Petén forest are firmest, so the drive from Flores is most predictable. Days run 30 to 36°C (86 to 97°F), and April and May are sticky and smoky from farm burning. Mornings at the temples are the coolest hours, and you get roughly 12 hours of light.
  • Early Rainy Season (June to October): Daily downpours turn the 23 km dirt track from the Tikal road into mud, and jungle trails to El Zotz or Río Azul get slippery. Highs sit at 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F). Mosquitoes peak, but you may have the plazas to yourself.
  • Cooler Months (November to January): Fronts bring overcast mornings and lows near 18°C (64°F), which makes climbing Temple E-VII-sub pleasant. Rain tapers off, and the trails dry out.
  • Equinox Sunrise (March and September): Local guides time visits
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (February to May): Roads into the Petén forest are firmest, so the drive from Flores is most predictable. Days run 30 to 36°C (86 to 97°F), and April and May are sticky and smoky from farm burning. Mornings at the temples are the coolest hours, and you get roughly 12 hours of light.
  • Early Rainy Season (June to October): Daily downpours turn the 23 km dirt track from the Tikal road into mud, and jungle trails to El Zotz or Río Azul get slippery. Highs sit at 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F). Mosquitoes peak, but you may have the plazas to yourself.
  • Cooler Months (November to January): Fronts bring overcast mornings and lows near 18°C (64°F), which makes climbing Temple E-VII-sub pleasant. Rain tapers off, and the trails dry out.
  • Equinox Sunrise (March and September): Local guides time visits to the solstice and equinox alignments at Group E, the ancient Maya observatory. Book a guide ahead on those dates.
Arrive in late November or February for dry roads without the worst heat.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: below average for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The best place to stay is Uaxactún village itself, a single-street settlement of a few hundred people at the end of the road, about 23 km north of Tikal. It sits a short walk from the ruins, so you can reach the plazas before the day heat builds and the guards open the gate. Accommodation is a handful of simple guesthouses and family-run rooms, plus a community-run camping area near the airstrip where you can pitch a tent or hang a hammock. Expect basic, safe, quiet nights with generator or limited electricity, and very few other travelers, which means you meet guides, chicleros and fellow trekkers … read more 👉
The best place to stay is Uaxactún village itself, a single-street settlement of a few hundred people at the end of the road, about 23 km north of Tikal. It sits a short walk from the ruins, so you can reach the plazas before the day heat builds and the guards open the gate. Accommodation is a handful of simple guesthouses and family-run rooms, plus a community-run camping area near the airstrip where you can pitch a tent or hang a hammock. Expect basic, safe, quiet nights with generator or limited electricity, and very few other travelers, which means you meet guides, chicleros and fellow trekkers over shared meals at the comedores. It is social in a small, local way rather than a party scene.

The alternative is to sleep in Flores, the lake island 1.5 to 2 hours away by road, which has the region's hostel scene, tour desks and bars. That works if you want company and nightlife, and you can arrange a shuttle or tour from there. Staying in Tikal's lodge area splits the difference, but for the early start and jungle atmosphere, overnighting in the village wins.
Best hostels in Guatemala


Best quality hotels in Guatemala

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Uaxactún costs about US$42 to 71 a day for a backpacker who sleeps in the village, eats at local comedores and arranges a shared ride from Flores.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$8 to 20Camping or hammock space is at the low end; a simple private room with fan sits higher.
Site entryUS$4 to 6Ticket for the archaeological park, paid in quetzales on arrival.
GuideUS$10 to 15Local guides know Groups A, B and E; split the cost in a group.
FoodUS$7 to 10Rice, beans, eggs and chicken at family comedores; bring snacks from Flores.
TransportUS$10 to 15Shared pickup or colectivo from Santa Elena or Tikal junction; private transfers cost far more.
ExtrasUS$3 to 5Water, bug spray and small tips. Few ATMs exist, so carry cash.
Total Daily BudgetUS$42 to 71Midpoint is around US$55 a day with a guide and shared transport.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQTraveler FAQ

Uaxactún is a small Maya village and archaeological site in the northern Petén jungle, north of Tikal. Its ruins include Group E, one of the oldest known astronomical observatories in the Maya world, and the painted Temple E-VII-sub. The site is far quieter than Tikal and entry is about US$4 to 6.
Uaxactún works as a long day trip of 6 to 8 hours on site from Flores, though one night in the village lets you see the ruins at dawn without rushing. Walking the main groups takes about 3 to 4 hours with a guide. If you add trekking to El Zotz or Río Azul, plan 3 to 5 days.
To reach Uaxactún, drive or take a shuttle from Flores to the Tikal entrance (about 1 hour), then follow the 23 km dirt road north through the park, roughly another hour or more. Shared pickups run from Santa Elena and the Tikal area, typically US$5 to 15 per person depending on the vehicle. The road gets muddy in the rainy season, so a high-clearance vehicle is wise.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Guatemalan landmarks near Uaxactún

Explore more nearby:

  • Tikal—Temple IV summit, Great Plaza, North Acropolis, howler monkey canopy| 19 km away
  • Yaxhá—Lakeview acropolis, steep temple stairs, island ruins, unrestored plazas| 43 km away
  • El Mirador—La Danta pyramid, Preclassic capital, multi-day jungle trek, dawn canopy| 50 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Uaxactún works best as an overnight stop, and two nights let you see Group E at first light and still have a full day for a guided jungle walk. I would bring cash, insect repellent and patience for the road. Skip it if you need polish; go if you want quiet.

✈️ When did I visit Guatemala?
Guatemala I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Guatemala, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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