September 25, 2026, 8:26 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Which regions of South and Central America are still true hidden gems? Where can you vacation off the beaten path and discover authentic life? TRAVELBOOK recently asked its readers to vote for the annual TRAVELBOOK Award. This was presented on September 22, 2026, in Berlin. One of the destinations up for selection was Guatemala’s northernmost department, Petén.
The Department of Petén in Guatemala
Guatemala’s Department of Petén is located in the north of the country and, at 35,800 square kilometers, is the largest of the 22 departments. Petén is considered the cradle of the Maya, and numerous archaeological sites can still be visited in the region today.
Petén is largely covered by rainforest. Just 760,400 residents live in the department, which makes up one-third of Guatemala’s total area, making it not only the largest but also the least densely populated of the departments. Petén borders Mexico to the north and west, Belize to the east, and the Guatemalan departments of Alta Verapaz and Izabal to the south. Petén is home to numerous rare animal species, including jaguars, ocelots, toucans, howler monkeys, and macaws, as well as crocodiles, manatees, and the colorful quetzal.
The capital of Petén is the island city of Flores, located in and around Lake Petén Itzá, the second-largest lake in Guatemala. The older part of Flores is on the island and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Flores, with its brightly painted houses and vibrant lifestyle, is a worthwhile destination on a trip to Petén and a good starting point for exploring the Maya sites in Tikal.
What to Do in the Petén Region in Guatemala?
The number one reason many travelers visit Petén is the abundance of Maya ruins that can be discovered here. The most famous is Tikal, “one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization,” as tour operator Expedicion Panamundo writes on its info page. Tikal is located in the national park of the same name and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The city was once the most powerful of the ancient Maya kingdoms; today, according to tour operator Mio Tours, it is one of Guatemala’s most visited attractions–and one of the most endangered monuments. The ruined city with its steep temple pyramids lies in Petén’s rainforest.
In addition to the well-known Maya city of Tikal, there are many others to discover in Petén, such as the three major Maya city-states Yaxhá, Nakum, and Naranjo. El Zotz and the Maya island Topoxté are also mentioned as less crowded destinations.
Best Time to Travel
Between November and April is the dry season in Guatemala, and between May and October is the rainy season. In Petén, it is always humid and tropical due to the rainforest. June and September are considered the rainiest months. The travel blog Natucate recommends Petén as a year-round travel destination–with the dry season as the ideal time for exploring ruins and wildlife, and the rainy season for a peaceful and lush experience.
Getting There by Plane and Bus
The fastest way to reach the Department of Petén is by flying to Flores, from Guatemala City, for example. Another option is bus travel, both within Guatemala and from Belize and Mexico. Collective shuttle buses are also common in Guatemala.
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Location of Petén
Methodology for the TRAVELBOOK Award
Again this year, we say it: All nominated regions, countries, and more for the TRAVELBOOK Award are already winners. Even if they didn’t achieve overall victory. This also applies to the Department of Petén. Because: Every country has already made it onto the shortlist in advance, meaning it was selected from a large number of contenders in a category.
The TRAVELBOOK editorial team asked the community on Facebook and Instagram for help and consulted experts from the travel industry to create the shortlist. For the first time this year, not only TRAVELBOOK readers but also BILD readers voted. More than 150,000 votes were cast in total to determine the trend travel destinations for 2027.