Sunset at Yaxha Mayan Pyramid: Private Tour from Flores

Walk the jungle to a pyramid, climb at sunset, watch the light fade over two lagoons and a distant city.

A private tour from Flores to Yaxha, a less-visited Mayan city surrounded by lagoons, where you climb Temple 216, the Temple of the Red Hands, to watch the sunset. Hotel pickup is included, along with a certified guide in English or Spanish, entrance fee, water and snacks. The full day runs about six and a half hours. This tour suits travelers who want the archaeology and the landscape without the crowds at Tikal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Yaxha and watch sunset

• Pick up at hotel lobby
• Drive to Yaxha city
• Explore Mayan structures and learn history
• Climb Temple of the Red Hands
• Enjoy sunset and take photos
• Drive back to hotel with snacks

The experience

The tour starts with pickup at your hotel at noon and a ninety-minute drive through green landscape to reach Yaxha. Once there, your guide walks you through the site: palaces, squares, stelae and structures built when this city was contemporary with Tikal. The guide covers the city's astrological knowledge, its alliances with neighboring cities and its advances in agriculture. Because Yaxha draws far fewer tourists than Tikal, you move through the jungle without the press of crowds.

As the sun approaches the horizon, you climb Temple 216, also called the Temple of the Red Hands for the red two-handed painting at its summit dating from the classical period when the city thrived. From the top, you can see Topoxte, a sister city, across the water. The lagoons (Yaxha and Sacnab) frame the view. You have time to take photos, sit with the moment and watch the light change.

After the sunset, the drive back to your hotel takes another ninety minutes. The operator provides bottled water and snacks during the return, giving you time to rest. Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection and insect repellent. The walk is manageable for all fitness levels, though the source notes it is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• certified tour guide in English or Spanish.
• entrance fee to Yaxha archaeological site.
• bottled water and snacks.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:00

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Under 15: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 26 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Guat2do Travel Experiences

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup from Flores means you do not need a car or arrange your own transport to reach Yaxha. The guide arrives at your lobby at noon and returns you there after sunset, which settles the logistics if you are staying in town without a rental.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How far is Yaxha from Flores, and how much time do I spend driving?

Yaxha is about ninety minutes from Flores by car each way. The drive passes through green landscape, and the operator picks you up at your hotel and returns you there, so the driving is part of the day but you are not navigating it yourself.

What is the Temple of the Red Hands, and why is it the main stop on this tour?

The Temple of the Red Hands is Temple 216 at Yaxha, named for a red two-handed painting at its summit that dates from the classical period. It is the main stop because you climb it at sunset to watch the light fade over the surrounding lagoons and see the sister city Topoxte across the water: that moment is the centerpiece of the tour.

Will I see fewer tourists at Yaxha than at Tikal?

Yes. Yaxha is less known than Tikal and draws significantly fewer visitors, so you walk through the ruins and the jungle without the crowds you would encounter at the more famous site.

What do I need to bring, and what should I wear?

Bring your passport, comfortable shoes for walking on uneven ground, sun protection and insect repellent. The site is in the jungle, so shade is limited and insects are present. The operator provides bottled water and snacks.

Is this tour suitable if I am not very fit, or if I have mobility concerns?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it does involve walking through the jungle and climbing a pyramid. The source notes it is not recommended for pregnant travelers. If you have specific mobility concerns, contact the operator before booking.