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Lake Peten Itza Guide
The lake of Peten Itza is located towards the northern part of Peten in Guatemala. There are two very large lakes in Guatemala, while the Izabal Lake is the biggest, this lake is the second largest. Its size measures five kilometers wide, thirty-two kilometers long, and ninety-nine square kilometers. The depth can reach a maximum of 160 meters in some areas. As a result, the area creates a high level of migration for hundreds of different types of birds. The high level of archaeological findings in this area has also caused it to be a popular tourist destination, with over 150,000 tourists passing through the region every year.
The capital of El Peten, the city of Flores, is situated on an island nearby the south shore. There are almost thirty ancient Maya sites scattered around the lake. The Itza-Maya capital, Tayasal, is also situated nearby and is known to be the last city conquered in Mesoamerica during 1697.
Lake Peten Itza is also a paradise for wildlife, holding over one hundred indigenous species. Some examples are the white tailed deer, crocodiles, pumas, jaguars, red snook fish, and the red brocket. Some common bird species that can be found there are macaws, toucans, and parrots. Towards the northern and eastern shores lies the Cerro Cahui Protected Biotope.
This area is a natural reserve that stretches over 6.5 square kilometers (1,600 acres) until the bay of the lake. A number of rainforest species can be found here, such as spider monkeys, toucans, howler monkeys, and many more. This region is also known to hold a diverse array of butterfly species. Tourists who come to this area often visit the reserve to see the butterflies along with the host of other rainforest animals.
