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Tikal




Once home to 100,000 Maya, Tikal was one of the most important cities in the Maya empire. It was abandoned when the empire collapsed and re-discovered relatively recently. Today it is one of the most important Maya sites, boasting over 4,000 structures, the oldest of which date back to around 800 B.C. The most important structures are the imposing Temple of the Giant Jaguar, which stands over 51 meters (170 feet) tall and was once the tomb of a high priest. Across the immense square from this

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Once home to 100,000 Maya, Tikal was one of the most important cities in the Maya empire. It was abandoned when the empire collapsed and re-discovered relatively recently. Today it is one of the most important Maya sites, boasting over 4,000 structures, the oldest of which date back to around 800 B.C. The most important structures are the imposing Temple of the Giant Jaguar, which stands over 51 meters (170 feet) tall and was once the tomb of a high priest. Across the immense square from this structure is the Temple of Masks, which is an impressive 42 meters (139 feet) tall.

Tikal is also known for its impressive stelae, or intricately carved standing stones. There are over two hundred of them at the site, the oldest of which has been tentatively dated to 292 B.C. There is a museum at the site, which features ceramics, jade and wood carvings and other relics from the various digs that have taken place over the years at Tikal.

An added boon for the traveler are the natural surroundings. The archaeological site at Tikal is only part of a large national park, which is home to spider and howler monkeys, parrots, toucans, macaws, and other varied and spectacular wildlife. In fact, it is the only place on earth declared by UNESCO to be both a world culture and nature heritage site.


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Things to do in Tikal

Iglesia Santo Tomás

Dating from the mid-16th century and then rebuilt in the 18thcentury, this atmospheric church is a great introduction to the fascinating highland blend of Catholicism and Mayan spiritualism. It is ...
Historical Building
Chichicastenango, Guatemala

Pascual Abaj

A short walk south of the town center is the Maya ceremonial site of Pascual Abaj, a shrine which is still very much in use today. There are some small altars and a pre-Columbian idol and if there ...
Historical Building
Chichicastenango, Guatemala

Finca Filadelfia Coffee Farm Tour

Anyone curious about how we get that morning cup of coffee will find the answers at Finca Filadelfia, ten minutes by mototaxi ride from downtown Antigua. You can visit the coffee fields by mule or ...
Other Activity
Antigua, Guatemala

Caves Naj Tunich

At thirty five kilometers east of Poptun, the caves of Naj Tunich are unique for their Mayan murals showing religious ceremonies, ball games and erotic scenes (not found anywhere else in the Mayan ...
Other Activity
Poptun, Guatemala

Biotopo Cerro Cahui

Two kilometers west of El Remate and along the shore of Lake Peten Itza, Biotopo Cerro Cahui is a rainforest reserve of six hundred hectares. It is one of the most accessible wildlife reserves in ...
Trekking
El Remate, Guatemala

Ixlu

The turnoff for the road heading to Belize is known as “El Cruce.” Just 200 kilometers off the road are the ruins of Ixlu on the shores of Laguna Salpeten. There are small mounds, trails and a ...
Ruin
El Remate, Guatemala

Birdwatching

The best place to go bird watching is Biotopo Cerro Cahui. It’s best go early in the morning when the birds start flying around. La Casa de Don David offers bird watching tours with knowledgeable ...
Birdwatching
El Remate, Guatemala

Parque Central

Surrounded by important buildings dating back from colonial times, this central plaza is the main hangout for locals. It’s always packed on weekends and festivals, when it is the scene for ...
City Plaza
Antigua, Guatemala

Palacio de los Capitanes

The Palacio de los Capitanes, the first two-storey building in Antigua, lines the entire south side of the Parque Central. Built in 1558, for more than two centuries, it was the seat of the Spanish ...
Historical Building
Antigua, Guatemala

Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo

The ruins of Santo Domingo church and convent complex stand inside the grounds of the beautiful Hotel Casa Santo Domingo on the eastern edge of town. Between 1542 and 1666, the Dominican order built ...
Historical Building
Antigua, Guatemala

Museo Rossbach

This archaeological and anthropological museum has three rooms exhibiting historical pieces from Chichi and the surrounding region from the pre-Hispanic (1800BC – 1524AD), colonial (1524 – ...
Museum
Chichicastenango, Guatemala
Reviews
Traveler Reviews of Tikal

awesome ruins

Stunning ruins...one of the best anywhere. Don't miss it when in Guatemala!

Gideon Welles from Scottsville, New York on Mar 08, 2007
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