Sierra del Lacandón, Rainforest national park in Petén, Guatemala
Sierra del Lacandón is a national park in La Libertad, in the Petén region of northwestern Guatemala, covering dense tropical rainforest over limestone ridges. The terrain rises and falls across forested hills, river valleys, and rocky outcrops that shape the landscape throughout.
The land now covered by the park was home to Maya communities for centuries, and several archaeological sites scattered through the forest are evidence of that long presence. The park was officially established in the late 20th century as part of a broader effort to protect the forests of Petén.
The name Lacandón refers to the Lacandon Maya, who live further west along the Usumacinta in Chiapas. Within the park, the sites of Piedras Negras, El Porvenir, Macabilero, La Pasadita, El Hormiguero and El Ceibo hold Maya remains, including Piedras Negras with its stelae and acropolis above the river.
Visiting with a local guide is strongly recommended, as forest trails are hard to follow without experience in the area. Rain, mud, and insects are present year-round, so waterproof gear and plenty of water are worth bringing.
The park forms part of a forest corridor that connects to protected areas in southern Mexico, allowing animals to move across a much larger range than the park itself covers. This cross-border link is one of the few remaining passages of its kind in the region.
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