Sayaxché was founded in 1874 to provide accommodation for forest workers of a logging company. Today it is still quite a rough place, settled on the banks of the Río de la Pasión, but it makes a great base for exploring the southern area of the Petén district. The surrounding area is criss-crossed with river tributaries and swamps and has been an important trade route since Maya times.

Sightseeing
The surrounding forest is teeming with wildlife such as monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles and thousands of birds. Further into the jungle, a little way upstream, are the ruins of Ceibal. There are more sets of ruins to be explored just to the south of town, nicely situated on the shores of Lago de Petexbatún.

Getting there
There are frequent buses and minibuses from Santa Elena that will take you to the ferry crossing on Río de la Pasión, directly opposite Sayaxché.