Maya Biosphere Reserve

(Local Name: Biotopo Maya) The Maya Biosphere Reserve's 1,844,900ha/4,500,000ac covers approximately half of the El Petén department and borders Mexico and Belize. The Maya Biosphere Reserve is an important refuge for large mammals such as white-tailed deer, tapirs, jaguars, pumas, and monkeys and for smaller rodents.

It is home to migratory and non migratory birds of prey and numerous bats. The Río Escondido forms the largest sweet-water wetlands in Central America during the rainy season.

Within the reserve's boundaries are the important Mayan archeological sites of El Mirador, El Zotz, Piedras Negras, Tikal and Uaxactún.