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North AmericaGuatemalaPetén

El Chal

Petén, Guatemala · North America

About El Chal

El Chal sits on the route: 30 minutes from Santa Ana, 59km from Caracol.

El Chal is a town located in Petén, Guatemala. With a population of 0, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, El Chal sits in Guatemala. It's in the America/Guatemala time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add El Chal to your route.

About El Chal

El Chal is a pre-Columbian Maya archaeological site located in the upper San Juan River valley of the southeastern Petén Basin region, Guatemala. The site is situated in the municipality of El Chal, lying some 600 metres (2,000 ft) to the south of the municipal seat also called El Chal. El Chal was occupied from

Read more approximately 300 BC through to 1300 AD (from the Late Preclassic through to the Early Postclassic Periods of Mesoamerican chronology), although some Middle Preclassic activity has been identified in the acropolis. The Late Preclassic occupation of the city was concentrated around an E-Group ceremonial complex some 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north of the later site core. The site's major period of occupation was during the Late Classic Period, when it was an important centre in the southeastern Petén region. Among the structures at the site is a large quadrangular residential complex, a structural type that is uncommonly found at Southern Maya lowland sites although there is a smaller one with similar characteristics at Machaquilá. As of 2010 very little restorative work has been undertaken at the site. The archaeological site is protected by the Guatemalan Instituto de Antropología e Historia.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in El Chal

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in El Chal?

El Chal offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to El Chal?

Plan your road trip to El Chal with Plan Your Road Trips! Add El Chal as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is El Chal located?

El Chal is located in Petén, Guatemala, North America. The coordinates are 16.6425 latitude, -89.6529 longitude.

What is the population of El Chal?

El Chal has a population of approximately 0 people, making it a town in Guatemala.

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Quick Information

Population
0
Continent
North America
Country
Guatemala
Region
Petén
Timezone
America/Guatemala
Coordinates
16.6425, -89.6529

Tags

North AmericaGuatemalaPeténTown

Worth the detour from El Chal

2 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

Flores

A picturesque island town on Lake Petén Itzá connected to the mainland by a causeway, serving as the gateway to Tikal.

41 km · about 45 min drive

ancient ruins

Caracol

The largest Maya site in Belize, once a powerful city-state rivaling Tikal, with the tallest man-made structure in the country.

59 km · about 70 min drive

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near El Chal.

Santa Ana

🇬🇹 Guatemala

26 km awayPop. 9,523

Dolores

🇬🇹 Guatemala

29 km awayPop. 10,604

San Francisco

🇬🇹 Guatemala

35 km awayPop. 3,954

Flores

🇬🇹 Guatemala

41 km awayPop. 20,464

San Benito

🇬🇹 Guatemala

42 km awayPop. 30,764

Poptún

🇬🇹 Guatemala

43 km awayPop. 17,320

San Andrés

🇬🇹 Guatemala

46 km awayPop. 7,235

San José

🇬🇹 Guatemala

46 km awayPop. 1,201

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence