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Home / Beaches / Playa El Chechenal

Playa El Chechenal

Пляж Эль-Чеченаl
Guatemala · Beach · Flores
high
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for families with children and lovers of quiet nature relaxation. Suitable for swimming in warm calm water. Not suitable for sea wave lovers and surfers.

Best month

January

Water
+26.0°C
Length
—
A scenic ecological beach on the Tayasal peninsula, in San Miguel village. It features white sand and turquoise water, popular for swimming, picnics and walks. Howler monkeys can be seen and Mayan ruins visited.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A scenic ecological beach on the Tayasal peninsula, in San Miguel village. It features white sand and turquoise water, popular for swimming, picnics and walks. Howler monkeys can be seen and Mayan ruins visited.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Picturesque beach on Lake Petén Itzá
  • Crystal-clear water
  • Excellent swimming and snorkelling conditions
  • Scenic views of the lake and Flores island
  • Well-developed infrastructure: restaurants, toilets
  • Free access
  • Water sports opportunities

Cons

  • Rocky shore in some places
  • Limited infrastructure
  • Can be crowded in high season
  • Mosquitoes and sandflies
  • Water can be murky after rain
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families with children and lovers of quiet nature relaxation. Suitable for swimming in warm calm water. Not suitable for sea wave lovers and surfers.
Features
What makes this beach unique
A white-sand beach with turquoise water on Lake Petén Itzá, surrounded by tropical vegetation. The Tayasal archaeological site is nearby.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Average Water Temp
+26.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+29.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
November December
Season end
March April
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
none
Water Quality
Water purity rating
good
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
none
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
5.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. A popular family spot.
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
1 pcs
Best restaurants

Comedor El Chechenal

Local

Simple beach restaurant with local cuisine and drinks.

Nearby cuisines

Local

Simple local cuisine with grilled dishes

Must try: Grilled chicken, rice, beans
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash First aid kit Insect repellent
Best Time to Swim
In the morning before 11:00 the water is calmer and there are fewer people. It can be crowded on weekends.
Local Rules
Littering and disturbing wildlife are prohibited. Beach entry is paid (10 quetzales).
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Lake Petén Itzá

Scenic lake with crystal-clear water and Flores island

Flores

Picturesque island town with restaurants and shops

Tikal

Ancient Maya city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Tikal National Park

National park with tropical forests and Maya ruins

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa El Chechenal: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +26.0°C, warms up to +29.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa El Chechenal: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa El Chechenal: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Playa El Chechenal: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — fine.
Playa El Chechenal: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in November, December. It ends in March, April. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa El Chechenal: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as good. There are no rip currents — swimming is safe. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa El Chechenal: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: toilets, parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa El Chechenal: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Playa El Chechenal: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Comedor El Chechenal. Cuisines available: Local. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa El Chechenal: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, First aid kit, Insect repellent.
Playa El Chechenal: when is the best time to swim?
In the morning before 11:00 the water is calmer and there are fewer people. It can be crowded on weekends.
Playa El Chechenal: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Littering and disturbing wildlife are prohibited. Beach entry is paid (10 quetzales).
Playa El Chechenal: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa El Chechenal: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families with children and lovers of quiet nature relaxation. Suitable for swimming in warm calm water. Not suitable for sea wave lovers and surfers.
Playa El Chechenal: what makes this beach unique?
A white-sand beach with turquoise water on Lake Petén Itzá, surrounded by tropical vegetation. The Tayasal archaeological site is nearby.
Playa El Chechenal: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Picturesque beach on Lake Petén Itzá, Crystal-clear water, Excellent swimming and snorkelling conditions, Scenic views of the lake and Flores island, Well-developed infrastructure: restaurants, toilets, Free access, Water sports opportunities. Cons: Rocky shore in some places, Limited infrastructure, Can be crowded in high season, Mosquitoes and sandflies, Water can be murky after rain.
Playa El Chechenal: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Lake Petén Itzá, Flores, Tikal, Tikal National Park. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa El Chechenal: how do I get to the city of Flores?
The beach is located near the city of Flores. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Flores.

City

Flores

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.