See Historical Ruins in Guatemala Guatemalan ruins need no introduction - they clearly speak for themselves and represent a high level of artistry, civilization and sophistication.
Copan houses its own museum and visitor center.
Quiriga may be one of the least known of Mesoamerican sites and is now threatened by flood and volcanism! Grand Tikal is the real jewel in the Mesoamerican crown.
Little Waka is perhaps the least known which may be due to its near inaccessibility.
Copan Though the site of Copan is actually located in the Honduras, it is right near the Guatemalan border.
It is said to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but is missing from their web search.
It has been quoted that Tikal was the New York of this ancient Mesoamerican world and Copan was its Paris.
Copan remains sophisticated to this day in that it has a good-sized adobe visitor's center to greet people.
Temple Eleven is a main focus of this site due to its adornment with huge stone faces which are still visible today.
Copan is known for its ornate and even macabre head sculptures - which might explain the mysterious origin of its name.
Some of these are housed in its museum! Quiriga Lesser known Quiriga is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site of some fabulous ancient Mayan ruins, monuments and sculptures.
Like Tikal, Quiriga is contained in its own park - but this is an archeological park.
The ancient site is located near a living village of the same name.
The still-standing stele and statues have been described "as some of the most original ever".
The forest location is charming, even idyllic.
Unfortunately natural disasters such as Tropical Storm Agatha and floods of the Montagua River (May - June 2010) and Pacaya (the local volcano) erupted on May 27.
Not only do these events present a threat to the site but have resulted in evacuations of the local peoples! Some of the ruins have actually been exposed to the flood waters.
Travel to and from there could be problematic.
Tikal One should visit the ancient ruins at Tikal for many reasons; it is magnificent, it is located in Tikal National Park, it is tourist-friendly, one will want to spend more than a day there, its five temples, and there are a few ways to access it even though it is located deep in the jungles of Guatemala.
Tikal is ancient, perhaps some 2600 years old.
It is also amazing in the skyscraper like buildings and temples achieved by the ancient Mayans.
One should plan on spending more than a day there and make plans and preparations for the same.
The exotic wildlife is spectacular and numerous - one can see howler monkeys, toucans and other wild flora and fauna.
Tikal is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Waka (El Peru) If one enjoys exquisite archeological sites and a challenge getting there - Waka is said to be one.
It is open to tourists and is said to accessible from Flores, but one may have to climb an escarpment - bring rock climbing gear.
It was once the capital of a city-state there.
Two new tombs were recently discovered and revealed the remains of three possibly royal women.
Other grave goods included exquisitely decorated vessels.
One must also see the (sacrificial) altar.
Copan houses its own museum and visitor center.
Quiriga may be one of the least known of Mesoamerican sites and is now threatened by flood and volcanism! Grand Tikal is the real jewel in the Mesoamerican crown.
Little Waka is perhaps the least known which may be due to its near inaccessibility.
Copan Though the site of Copan is actually located in the Honduras, it is right near the Guatemalan border.
It is said to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but is missing from their web search.
It has been quoted that Tikal was the New York of this ancient Mesoamerican world and Copan was its Paris.
Copan remains sophisticated to this day in that it has a good-sized adobe visitor's center to greet people.
Temple Eleven is a main focus of this site due to its adornment with huge stone faces which are still visible today.
Copan is known for its ornate and even macabre head sculptures - which might explain the mysterious origin of its name.
Some of these are housed in its museum! Quiriga Lesser known Quiriga is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site of some fabulous ancient Mayan ruins, monuments and sculptures.
Like Tikal, Quiriga is contained in its own park - but this is an archeological park.
The ancient site is located near a living village of the same name.
The still-standing stele and statues have been described "as some of the most original ever".
The forest location is charming, even idyllic.
Unfortunately natural disasters such as Tropical Storm Agatha and floods of the Montagua River (May - June 2010) and Pacaya (the local volcano) erupted on May 27.
Not only do these events present a threat to the site but have resulted in evacuations of the local peoples! Some of the ruins have actually been exposed to the flood waters.
Travel to and from there could be problematic.
Tikal One should visit the ancient ruins at Tikal for many reasons; it is magnificent, it is located in Tikal National Park, it is tourist-friendly, one will want to spend more than a day there, its five temples, and there are a few ways to access it even though it is located deep in the jungles of Guatemala.
Tikal is ancient, perhaps some 2600 years old.
It is also amazing in the skyscraper like buildings and temples achieved by the ancient Mayans.
One should plan on spending more than a day there and make plans and preparations for the same.
The exotic wildlife is spectacular and numerous - one can see howler monkeys, toucans and other wild flora and fauna.
Tikal is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Waka (El Peru) If one enjoys exquisite archeological sites and a challenge getting there - Waka is said to be one.
It is open to tourists and is said to accessible from Flores, but one may have to climb an escarpment - bring rock climbing gear.
It was once the capital of a city-state there.
Two new tombs were recently discovered and revealed the remains of three possibly royal women.
Other grave goods included exquisitely decorated vessels.
One must also see the (sacrificial) altar.
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