Boca del Monte: Savanna Plain and Curucuitz

Savanna Plain and Stream

The Boca del Monte valley is a savanna plain that extends from Dolores in the north to the hills that separate its southern area from the village of Ixcoxol. This description therefore refers not only to a landform but also to its north–south extent: Dolores is the northern reference point, while the hills mark the southern separation from the village of Ixcoxol.

A 1988 report also describes the Boca del Monte stream: it rises at Finca La Ponderosa, east of the valley, and flows southwest from there toward Ixcoxol. The valley and the stream can be distinguished by their different spatial descriptions: the valley’s extent from north to south is specified, while the watercourse’s source east of the plain and its southwesterly direction of flow are noted. Together, the landform, named reference points, and stream provide precise local orientation.

Curucuitz: Archaeological Time Span and Mapping

Another local point of reference is Curucuitz in the caserío of Boca del Monte. The dating of the archaeological material found there ranges from the Middle Preclassic to the Late Classic. A 1988 study thus records a long time span rather than reducing the finds to a single period. Those interested in the area’s past have two specific points of reference: the named site and the range of its dating.

The extent of the mapping is also quantified: a total of 252 structures in 51 groups were identified across an area of 3 km². The time span and the mapping answer different questions. The dating places the material in chronological context; the mapping specifies the size of the surveyed area, as well as the number and grouping of the structures. Taken together, these figures provide both a temporal and a spatial measure of Curucuitz.

Petén as a Regional Context

The Ruta del Mundo Maya is located in the wider travel destination of Petén. Its archaeological sites tell a story of more than 2,500 years of settlement. Ancient Maya cities and the region’s characteristic humid tropical rainforests provide habitats for numerous plant and animal species. This regional context adds to the picture of Petén; Curucuitz remains the local archaeological point of reference.

Parque Nacional Tikal is also located in Petén. It covers 57,600 hectares of wetlands, savannas, and tropical broadleaf and palm forests, and contains thousands of architectural and artistic remains of the Maya civilization. The stated period extends from the Preclassic (600 BC), through the decline, to the eventual collapse of the urban center around AD 900. The park’s remarkable wildlife includes five species of cats, among them jaguars and pumas, several species of monkeys and anteaters, and more than 300 bird species.

Discover More Destinations

Flores, Poptún, San José, San Andrés, El Chal, Santa Ana, Tikal, Laguna Yaxjá

For the wider travel overview: Petén.