The Mayan city of Yaxha had control over the trade system through the water bodies that were along the Mayan route from the Mopan River (Belize) all the way to the Usumacinta River (Mexico). From these systems the city emerged and developed as a lake port.
Yaxha Nakum Naranjo National Park is a site of great natural and cultural importance for Guatemala. Because of the diversity of species, it holds, flora and fauna and it is listed as a RAMSAR site (The Convention on Wetlands, called the Ramsar Convention, is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources because it includes three types of wetlands identified by the Wetland Convention: temporal lagoons, karstic systems, and peat bogs.
At Yaxha there are structures that are proof of Prehispanic Mayan heritage such as: the Chambers Plaza (Plaza de las Cámaras), astronomical complexes for commemoration, the ball game centers, temples and palaces and several other monumental groups linked through the pre-hispanic causeways or Sacbe’s.
The socio-economical and political development of this time can be seen in the acropolis, which is enclosed by courtyards. (One could enter the enclosed courtyards through monumental staircases). Additionally the importance of Yaxha can be observed by its relationship with other entities such as the Teotihuacan culture during the Early Classic Period.
The ancient relationships between the Mayans and the Teotihuacans was a due to trade between Mayan Cities of Central America. The Maya interacted with other societies in Central America during the Early Classic period such as civilizations located in Central Mexico. The city of Teotihuacan was west of the Maya region. Even before most Maya sites had been established, Teotihuacan had established itself as a dynamic cultural center.
Cultural artifacts including architecture, ceramics, art, and hieroglyphics inscriptions can be found at Early Classic Maya sites, which clearly reveals a connection between Teotihuacan and the Maya.
Yaxhá was strongly connected to Tikal, this is evident in the Architectonic style of the different complexes in the city, especially in the Twin Pyramids and the Astronomical Commemoration Complex which are very similar to those found in Mundo Perdido and Siete Templos in Tikal.