Lake Petén Itzá

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Lake Petén Itzá

Lake view from the Northeastern shore
Coordinates	16°59′0″N 89°48′0″WCoordinates: 16°59′0″N 89°48′0″W
Primary inflows	Rio Ixlú, Rio Ixpó
Basin countries	Guatemala

Surface area	99 km²^[1]
Max. depth	160 m
Surface elevation	110 m

Sections/sub-basins	main north basin, shallow south basin
References	^[1]

Lake Petén Itzá (Lago Petén Itzá) is a lake in the northern department Petén in Guatemala. It is the second largest lake in Guatemala, the Izabal lake being the largest. It is located around

16°59′0″N 89°48′0″W. It has an area of 99 km² some 32 km. long and 5 km wide. Its maximum depth is 160 m. The lake area presents high levels of migration, due to the existence of natural resources such as wood, chewing gum, oil, and agricultural and pasture activities. Because of its archaeological richness, around 150,000 tourists pass through this region yearly.

The city of Flores, the capital of El Petén, lies on an island near its southern shore. There are at least 27 Maya sites around this lake and the remains from Tayasal, the Maya-Itza capital, and the last one to be conquered in mesoamerica in 1697.

Lake Petén Itzá seen from space

This lake is also a wildlife paradise, with more than 100 important indigenous species such as the red snook fish (Petenia splendida), crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii andCrocodylus acutus), jaguars (Panthera onca), Pumas (Puma concolor), White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), red brocket (Mazana americana), and several bird species, including parrots, toucans, and macaws. On its northeast shore is the Cerro Cahui Protected Biotope, a natural reserve for butterflies is a 1,600-acre (6.5 km²) reserve is home to toucans, spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata, Alouatta pigra), and many other rain forest species.

[edit]Notes

^ ^a ^b INSIVUMEH. "Indice de lagos". Retrieved 2008.

[edit]References

Lake Peten Itza

One of the largest lakes in Guatemala. The head of Petén, Flores is on an islet in the lake, which is reached through a traditional bridge. Its beaches are clear and is an intermediate destination to Tikal.

By: Explorer

Lake Peten Itza Flores Island

Peten, located in northern Guatemala, is enshrined as the ideal destination to visit Mayan archaeological sites.

While local tourists usually prefer to stop at the island of Flores, located within the municipal lake, or in San Benito, a few minutes, tourists and travelers generally prefer to do the respective stop in El Remate.

The route leading from Flores to Tikal around Lake Peten Itza to reach the crossing Ixlu. A few meters from the last gas station is located (toward Yaxhá), while the road leading to the left passing through El Remate.

To stay and eat

Here you will find several options for lodging, from hotels with all amenities, even the most basic and relaxed for travelers passing through.

This section also leads to Cerro Cahuí Biotope, a protected area where you can camp. Even if it is camping, lodgings on the shores of the lake are also a good choice for hanging tent or spend the night in one of their rooms.

Lakeshore is a diversity of restaurants and craft sales, and options to browse the internet.

In the evenings you can watch the fishermen in full work in the lake "water witch" who is the most widespread translation of his name, although there are several approaches.

Flores Island

Flores Island is home to the municipal capital of Peten, which is not as great as many imagine, but is fully developed and with the amenities of the case.

Travelers can opt for accommodation options both on the island and around, counting hotel infrastructure of different prices. This is common to find groups of foreigners, and on its shores, fishermen sailing.