Posted Nov. 11, 2025
Written by Nicholas Hellmuth
The Maya archaeology sites of Yaxha, Topoxte Island, Nakum and Naranjo-Sa’al have majestic pyramid-temples, multi-story palaces, acropolises, ballcourts, and lots of wide, paved, ancient causeways. PNYNN is literally alongside Parque Nacional Tikal (PANAT), so when you go to Peten to visit Tikal, it’s definitely a good idea to plan to at least visit Yaxha and Topoxte Island (and go up the Rio Ixtinto at least a kilometer to experience all the wetlands plants). You can rent a boat and lanchero at the Yaxha visitors’ center or at hotel El Sombrero Ecolodge. Frankly there is so much to see at Yaxha, Topoxte Island, and Rio Ixtinto that it’s a good idea to spend the night (to enjoy experiencing the howler monkey Alpha Males roaring to tell all the other nearby monkeys that they are really THE Alpha Male howler monkey).
As part of our flora-fauna-ecosystem research project of 2018-2019 organized by the IDAEH co-administrator of PNYNN and the project biologist, we found and photographed lots of species of trees, bushes, and vines that have gorgeous flowers. We show a sample in 15 FLAAR Reports that you can download in the links below.
We are now working at PNYNN, PANAT, PNLT and elsewhere in the Reserva de la Biosfera Maya in a 5-year project of cooperation and coordination with the CONAP forestry conservation entity of Guatemala. So lots more publications to come, especially since now we have a Mavic 4 Pro drone that can literally “fly between trees” so can photograph the tree canopy.
Below are the most extensive photo albums of 15 of the most gorgeous flowers in central Peten.
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Vol. 1, Bright Orange Flowers of Cordia dodecandra, Nakum Area of PNYNN, Peten, Guatemala |
Vol. 2, 4-Petalled Flowers of River Banks, Lake Shores, and Seasonally inundated Savannas, Ludwigia octovalvis |
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Vol. 3, Masses of Yellow Flowers, Genus Combretum, along road between Yaxha and Nakum, PNYNN |
Vol. 4, Flowers and bizarre Bracts of Calathea lutea, relative of Heliconia and of Banana Naranjo-Sa’al and Savanna of 3 Fern Species areas of Parque Nacional Yaxha, Nakum and Naranjo (PNYNN) |
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Vol. 5, Costus pictus, Medicinal Flowers, Yaxha and Naranjo-Sa’al Areas of PNYNN |
Vol. 6, Piscidia piscipula, Jabin, Dogwood, with Hummingbird Pollinator Yaxha and Nakum areas of Parque Nacional Yaxha, Nakum and Naranjo |
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Vol. 7, A beautiful Red Flower, a Hibiscus Relative, but the Petals and Sepals never open Malvaviscus arboreus, Sleeping Hibiscus |
Vol. 8, Photogenic wild Morning Glory Flowers of Nakum and Yaxha areas of PNYNN |
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Vol. 9, Photogenic Bright Yellow Morning Glory Flowers of Genus Merremia Nakum and Yaxha areas of PNYNN |
Vol. 10. Yellow Flower Paradise, Yellow Flowers Covering the Tree Canopy Nakum, East of Savanna Bajo, PNYNN Flowers of Tabebuia donnell-smithii |
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Vol. 11, Yellow Flowers & Fruits of Wild Undomesticated Squash Vines, Cucurbita lundelliana Along the Shores of Lakes and Rivers in Parque Nacional Yaxha, Nakum and Naranjo |
Vol. 12, Orange Masses of Flowers of Parasitic Vine (but does not kill the host) Genus Psittacanthus, Yaxha, Blom Sacbe and adjacent Grupo Maler |
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Vol. 13, Yellow-Orange Flowers of Trees of the Caesalpinia species, Fabaceae family Bajo La Justa, between Yaxha and Nakum, PNYNN |
Vol. 14, Gorgeous Yellow Masses of Flowers of Haematoxylum campechianum at Parque Nacional Yaxha, Nakum and Naranjo |
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This is being edited by orchid specialist Fredy Archila and will be available as a download later in November Vol. 15, Flowers of Orchids on Trees surrounding the Maya Ruins of Yaxha, PNYNN |
