This site is located in the southwestern part of El Peten on the shores of La Pasion River about an hour from Santa Elena. The origin of the founders is still unknown, but the first settlements date back as far as 800 BC.

Excursions to the ruins of Ceibal begin in the village of Sayaxche, which can be visited by jeep or boat. The most beautiful and best preserved stelae of the Post-Classic period can be found here along with ceramic pieces and anthropomorphic pottery figurines, showing an unusual blend of Maya and Toltec art and architecture including a unique structure, the Circular Temple of the Jaguar built under Toltec influence.

Ceibal was declared as Archeological Park in 1985, with a 17,612-km2 protected area in order to protect and conserve the vegetation, animals and the environment.