Yaxhá Travel Guide

In terms of size, the famous Mayan ruins of Yaxhá are relatively small, with around 35 pre-Hispanic buildings. Yet its strategic location made it highly important during the development of the Maya civilization. The site sits between Lagoon Yaxhá and Lagoon Sacnab, and its political geography was shaped by these surrounding waters. From the earliest days, these lagoons served as migration and trade routes, as well as natural boundaries.

The surrounding Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo National Park has been recognized as a wetland of global importance. Lagoon Yaxhá and Lagoon del Tigre are among the most significant water bodies in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, underscoring the archaeological and ecological importance of Yaxhá.

Things to Do at Yaxhá

Discover Yaxhá

Yaxhá is part of a network of Mayan cities settled along the shores of Lagoons Sacnab and Yaxhá. Remarkably, it is one of the few Mayan sites that has preserved its original name, which means “Green (Yax) Water (Ha)”.

Once the most important cosmopolis of the region, Yaxhá centralized political activities and spiritual rituals. Its inhabitants built over 1,000 structures, though today only 14 have been carefully restored. As one of the oldest Mayan cities in the Guatemalan lowlands, Yaxhá preserves impressive temples, rich history, and a unique cultural heritage.

The Maya of the Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo National Park had a clear sense of urban planning and valued the surrounding water. Temples, plazas, and smaller sites were all connected by paved roads, creating an efficient network that makes Yaxhá today the most accessible and explored section of the park.

The local community works tirelessly to preserve the site’s pre-Hispanic heritage, ensuring that visitors can experience the grandeur of Yaxhá. Its history, architecture, and natural setting make it a must-visit archaeological treasure in the Guatemalan lowlands.

Excursions from Yaxhá to Other Destinations Nearby

Nakum
Nakum is a Mayan city renowned for the high number of well-restored structures it preserves. It is one of only three archaeological sites in Guatemala with such a dense concentration of pre-Hispanic buildings in near-perfect condition.
Reaching Nakum is a challenging journey, and during the rainy season, the site becomes inaccessible. Located on the shores of the Holmul River, Nakum played an important role as a fluvial port, which helped the city endure long after many other Mayan cities collapsed at the end of the Classic period.

Naranjo
Within the Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo National Park lies another remarkable Mayan site: Naranjo. This influential city was frequently at war to maintain its dominance and controlled Yaxhá for many years. Its strategic location between the Holmul and Mopan Rivers made Naranjo a powerful center, placing it alongside Tikal as one of the region’s most important cities. Naranjo also maintained strong connections with other major Maya cities, including Caracol in Belize and Calakmul in Mexico.

Topoxte
Topoxte, along with Cante and Paxte, were three islands in Yaxhá Lagoon that held an important ceremonial role in the region. As the largest island, Topoxte saw a surge in construction even during the collapse of the Mayan period, making it a unique site. Visitors can explore the city to observe Maya architectural styles spanning the entire civilization—from its beginnings to the end of its peak.