Explore the Ancient Mayan Ruins of Guatemala

When travelers think of Mayan ruins in Guatemala, they almost always think of the Tikal ruins. However, there are numerous other Guatemala Mayan sites, ranging from the small and well-preserved to the remote and utterly massive. The following are the most celebrated and easy-to-access Mayan ruins in Guatemala.

Tikal

The Tikal ruins are undoubtedly the most famous Mayan archaeological site, not just in Guatemala, but possibly the entire Maya Empire. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, Tikal was once among the most powerful ancient Mayan kingdoms. Today, the Tikal ruins are easily accessible for travelers, and are located near abundant accommodations in the colonial town of Flores. Moreover, it’s even better to stay in Tikal National Park itself, wake before dawn, hike to the top of Temple IV, and greet the sunrise over the El Petén forest.

El Mirador

Remote, colossal El Mirador contains the greatest concentration of pre-Classic Mayan ruins in the world, though many of its 2,000-year-old buildings remain hidden by dense vegetation. In fact, El Mirador is three times the size of Tikal. However, while Tikal receives more than 200,000 visitors per year, only a few thousand conquer the trek into the heart of the El Mirador ruins. Its attractions are more than worth it, though, including the La Danta pyramid, the highest structure in the Mayan world at 230 feet.

Yaxha

In 2005, the Mayan ruins of Yaxha served as the backdrop for the American TV series “Survivor: Guatemala: The Mayan Empire.” Yaxha has attracted more and more visitors ever since, though nothing compared to the nearby Tikal ruins. The lakeside Mayan archaeological site is home to more than 500 structures, although most remain covered by forest.

Zaculeu

Zaculeu means “white earth” in ancient Mayan. This site is renowned as the white city of the Mayans, attributed to the stone used to construct Zaculeu’s temples and structures. The site has been restored by covering the bricks in white plaster, consequently giving it a unique appearance.

Uaxactun

This location is also known as Siaan K’aan (“born in heaven”), and Uaxactun is one of the oldest cities within the Mayan Empire. Some structures at Uaxactun date back to 330 BCE. The artwork discovered at Uaxactun is truly incredible, and it’s the primary site where the ancient Mayans utilized astronomy to develop their calendar.

Quiriguá

Quiriguá is home to some of the most fantastic stelas, or tall stone carvings, in the ancient Maya Empire. The most celebrated structure is Stela D, which depicts the Quiriguá “King of Kings” K’ak Tilw Chan, who defeated Quiriguá’s rival city, Copan in Honduras. The tallest stela in Quiriguá stands at 35 feet tall and weighs more than 65 tons.

Aguateca

Though the Mayan ruins of Aguateca are among the best preserved in Guatemala, the site still doesn’t attract many visitors compared to other Guatemala Mayan ruins. The journey there is part of the experience: travelers must take a boat across the lake to reach the site, stopping to wade if water levels are too low.