National park · Guatemala
CeibalParque Nacional Ceibal
Do a day trip from Flores: bus to Sayaxche, then boat (≈1 h each way) for $80 total; go early to avoid heat and mosquitoes.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
- Northern Lowlands ↗Rainy season is late May to October; expect afternoon rain and more mosquitoes.
- Northern Lowlands ↗Remote ruins (Río Azul, Xultún, Holmul) are dry-season trips only, February to June, and need a guide.
- Northern Lowlands ↗Do not drive the Petén highways at night; use first-class buses or fly.
At a glance
- Country
- Guatemala
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Exact park size not published; estimate small archaeological zone (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- Not needed
Ceibal is a modest Maya ruin in Guatemala's northern lowlands, featuring a single temple, numerous stelae, and a surrounding jungle setting accessed via river boat.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2000
Exact park size not published; estimate small archaeological zone (check).
Why go
- Small Maya ruin with a temple and many stelae.
- Jungle setting with river views and wildlife.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cooler mornings
- FebDry, still cool
- MarStart of rains, heat rises
- AprRain increases
- MayRainy, mosquitoes up
- JunHeavy rain, difficult travel
- JulRainy season peak
- AugRainy season peak
- SepRainy season
- OctRain eases, still humid
- NovDry, cooler
- DecDry, cooler
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monkeys, turtles, ants, many mosquitoesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Flores
Bus to Sayaxche (≈3 h), then boat to Ceibal (≈1 h).
4–5 h total
From Guatemala City
Bus to Cobán, then bus to Sayaxche, then boat.
≈8 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ceibal ruin area | Temple, stelae, small plaza. | Walk from boat landing. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate for boat dock.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat transfer from Sayaxche to Ceibal (round trip) | US$80 | person | Price from 2008 tours; check current rates |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Site entry no permit
Park rules
- Guides
- Not required; site is self‑guided.
- Camping
- Not allowed; no facilities.
- Fire
- Prohibited in jungle area.
Where to stay
Near the park
Sayaxche
Basic lodging and food; base for day trips.
Near the park
Flores
Hotels and hostels; convenient for tours.
Safety
Mosquitoes medium
Boat safety low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Access by boat and short walk; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Avoid litter; support local boat operators with fair payment.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ceibal?
There is no entry fee; the main cost is the boat transfer from Sayaxche, about US$80 per person (price from 2008, check current rates).
What are the best hikes in Ceibal?
The site is small; the main walk is the temple and stelae circuit (1–2 h). Combine with a short jungle trail if you wish.
When is the best time to visit Ceibal?
Dry season months (Nov–Apr) are cooler and less rainy, making boat travel easier.
Can I stay overnight at Ceibal?
No overnight facilities; stay in Sayaxche or Flores and return the same day.
Is a guide required?
No, the ruin is self‑guided; a guide may be hired for context but not mandatory.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Ceibal
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