Yaxhá
is located
among two
lagoons Sacnab and
Yaxhá, in
the last one there was an island now
part of the main land that is occupied
by
Topoxté, a post-classic site, you can
visit
Topoxté using the boat that the
Survivor producer gave to the
Nakum,
Yaxhá,
Naranjo National Park.
Yaxhá
is 30 Km. southwest from
Tikal,
The site
has more than 500 structures,
including
sculptures
like 40 stelas, 13 Altars, and
large buildings
with 9
Temple Pyramids, 2
ball courts
and a net
of sacbe'ob (Causeways), that connect
the central,
north (Maler) and
east
acropolis. From the top of temple 216
(partially restored) the view is breathtaking, the
2 lakes on one side and the jungle, with
the sound of
Howler monkeys
and
birds, as
backgrounds, and
the pyramids on the other make this site
a very unique one. All the Pyramids
are safe to climb, and the wooden stairs,
are much better done than in
Tikal. On Plaza C
is
the only twin pyramid complex outside of
Tikal, that commemorates a
Katún, a 20
years period, there are 7 in Tikal. The
first plaza that you'll visit is
known as the stelas plaza, the stela 13
has a date from 793 AD. a Temple is
being restored here, at the entrance of
the site. The city has 3 main groups,
the East Acrópolis Build on an elevated
platform, is the tallest point of the
site and in front of it are several
Stelas broken long ago. The main ball court is restored, and located near
the Central Acrópolis. The affiliation
of the site during the Classic, changed,
several times, there are well documented
Wars
against Tikal,
Naranjo and a
site called Sak'nah,
not identified yet, but its almost the same
name that the other lagoon bears. By the
time of the
Classic Maya Collapse,
the elite is thought to look for shelter in
Topoxté, an
island in that era.
The North Acrópolis is
another group of 3
pyramids on a plaza,
the tallest one has round corners,
making it different. this acropolis has
been restored. The
Astronomic complex is
formed by a pyramid with stairways in
its 4 sides, and a large building in
front. The Maler group is
a group of 2 pyramids and a Palace
building, at the north part of the city,
it has 3 Stelas and an altar. The
Sacbé (causeway) named Blom, where
you can see the boulders made to level it in
ancient times, connect it to the
rest of the city, leading to a Tall
Pyramid, (El
Mirador), not restored yet,
but that you can climb, and have a
beautiful sight of the city's
Landscape. following
this, there are a lot of mounds, that
led to the
Lake causeway, that the
investigators think was the main
entrance to the city, is 80 mt. long and
build on a straight line.
To go to
Yaxhá, you can take a taxi or car in
Flores, and drive west on a paved road,
(You'll pass the
Holtún entrance),
before the city of Melchor de Mencos,
the turn to the left is clearly
indicated, the 10 Km. unpaved road is in
good condition year round, this road
also goes to Naranjo, the right turn is
just before Yaxhá. The park has guards
and guides, and there is a camping site
(No cost) on the Lake shore, next
to the guard dorm rooms. The entrance
fee is Q80 (US $10), and Q 40 for
Guatemalans, that can go for free on
Sundays. This site is excellent for
bird watching, and to see the
fauna of the Jungle, such as
Monkeys, pizotes, and agouties.