BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello, me and my boyfriend are hoping to find an (affordable) jungle tour in guatemala, going to one of the less seen ruins such as El Peru or El Mirador. The only ones we´ve seen on the net seem to be about $700 each, we can probably only afford about $200. Any kind of transport, whether walking, boats, trucks or horses is possible, and probably only for 2 nights or so, as I am a wimp with jungle bugs and dont think i could bear them for longer than that! has anyone done any good ones, and how easy are they to find? thanku!

I'm not sure when you were planning on going, but just so you know, the jungles are pretty hardcore this time of the year. Even an experienced backpacker is probably going to struggle in the mud. You probably have to go later in the year after the rainy season.

I don't think you can hire a guide for $200. You could probably buy the supplies to do it yourself for $200 if you already have all the main gear you need. I don't know how much experience you have in backpacking or navigating, but I would not recommend this without a lot of experience (at least some of which is in a jungle). I haven't personally done that jungle, but from what I've heard, it's pretty serious.

Also, I don't know how far you will make it in two nights. That's like one day to hike the jungle to your destination. I think it's generally several days to reach the ruins.

El irador is a five-day trek. If you are not in dry season, it is nearly impossible because of the mud. Try El Zotz, a day trip starting from San Andrès, near Flores. Or try Nakum out of Yaxha, by 17k foot or serious 4X4 truck.

The jungle, at least the Peten, is a real mess in the rain. One might make it if one was walking on virgin ground, and had long waterproof boots, IF the natives didn't use horses and mules. Because they do, any given mudhole might be up to one foot deep. I went in the non wet season, where there was still rain, of course, and I lost my boots a few times.

Its not pleasant, and without a guide, you might run into the interesting situation of having a guatemalan campesino with a machete tell you to leave the path or face his wrath.

Thats why guides are a good idea.

If you're a jungle wimp, stick to the places you can get to by 4wd truck and bus, and your trip will be merrier.