Guided tours from Flores typically combine a visit to the Petencito Zoo with a trip to the San Miguel Peninsula to see the Maya ruins of Tayazal; El Mirador del Rey Canek, a lookout with photo-worthy views of the lake; and Santa Bárbara, an island-set museum displaying archeological finds unearthed nearby. In addition to big cats and monkeys, the zoo is also home to colorful native birds such as macaws and toucans.
Petencito Zoo is set on Lake Petén Itzá, just east of the island town of Flores. It can be reached by boat or road. If driving, follow the Calle 1A road east from Flores and take the turnoff for San Miguel.
The Petén region of Guatemala is hot and humid so it’s best to visit the zoo in the morning, before temperatures spike. The best time of year to visit is during the dry season (November to March), as some bridges and promenades can go underwater during the rainy season, and trails (such as that to El Mirador) can be mucky.
The third-largest lake in Guatemala, Lake Petén Itzá is most well-known for its star attraction: Flores, an island-town with cobblestone streets, pastel colonial-era buildings, and numerous accommodation options. The eastern shoreline of the lake offers a quieter base in the form of El Remate, a town known for its artisan woodcrafts. From El Remate it’s just a short hop to the subtropical forest reserve of Biotopo Cerro Cahuí, a hiking and bird-watching paradise.
