Mayan History and Archaeology

Guatemala is synonym of Archaeology, anyone near by won't miss to visit any vestige of the Mayan civilization. The heart of the ancient Maya empire is now the Department of El Peten, much of which remains covered with luxuriant tropical rain forest.

Only a fraction of the estimated 1,500 ruins scattered across El Peten have been excavated at all, and all of them remain surrounded, if not covered, by the jungle. Aside from Tikal, travel to the ruins usually involves boat trips, horseback riding, hiking, or driving a four wheel-drive vehicle down muddy road, all of which makes the trip there an adventure in its own right.

We invite you to read the small definitions of few sites which are worth to explore.

Abaj Takalik

Coastal site with Olmec and Maya cultural traits. Stelae with oldest inscribed date yet found in Guatemala (235 BC) marks beginning of the country's written history.

Aguateca

On the shore of Lake Petexbatún in the Petén. Several beautiful Stelae and altars in jungle setting atop a cliff. Site was mysteriously abandoned and burned at end of Classic Maya era.

Ceibal

Found on the banks of La Pasión River. Partially restored, with some of the loveliest Stelae in the Maya world. Later Stelae and structures show a Toltec cultural influence.

Copan

Located in Honduras, this magnificent park is in the Valley of Copan at 12 km from the Guatemalan borders. Copan has always been referred as the most artistically advanced and elaborate of all the Mayan cities.

La Democracia

Twelve Olmec "baby-face" sculptures are arranged around the central park of this Pacific coast town.

Dos Pilas

Unrestored site found deep in the forest near Salinas River. Features beautifully carved Stelae, altars and hieroglyphic stairways.

Kaminal Juyú

Remains of ruins, in the heart of Guatemala City, once covering the valley now occupied by Guatemala's capital.

El Mirador

An immense Pre-Classic Maya city in a remote area of northern Peten. The Tiger Temple is the largest known temple in the Maya world, more than 18 stories tall with a base the size of three football fields.

El Pilar

Classic Maya site on the Guatemala-Belize border. Archaeological emphasis here is on the Maya forest and typical dwellings.

Quirigua

Home to the largest Stelae in the Maya world and to altars carved with zoomorphic designs. The ruler of Copan in nearby Honduras was captured and sacrificed here in 738 AD.

Tikal

The most famous city of the Maya world, with more than 3,000 known structures, including the tallest temples built by the Maya. Set in 550 square kilometers of protected rainforest, where monkeys, toucans and many other animals are commonly seen.

Uaxactun

Found a short distance from Tikal, with a beautiful observatory.

Yaxchilan

Found on the Mexican side of the Usumacinta River in western Peten. Partially restored, with Stelae carved in deeper relief than elsewhere in Maya world.

Yaxha

A large site, with several partially restored temples on the Shore of Yaxha Lake. Fine view of lake from top of Temple 216. The island ruin of Topoxte nearby is the only restored, post-Classic site in the Peten.

Gumarcaaj

Post-Classic, highlands city active at time of Spanish conquest. Once the capital of the Maya-Quiche nation, it was burned by Spaniards in 1524.

Iximché

Post-Classic highlands city active at time of Spanish conquest. Founded by the Maya-Cakchiquel nation in 1463, it was burned by its own inhabitants in 1524, during a rebellion against Spanish conquistadors.

Mixco Viejo

Post-classic highlands city active at time of Spanish conquest, found a short distance from Guatemala City. Once occupied by the Maya-Pokomam nation, Spaniards destroyed it 1525.

Zaculeu

An important center of the Maya-Mam nation, active at the time of the conquest and destroyed in 1525. The only restored highlands ruin, with pyramids, plaza, ball court and small museum.