Which are the best Mayan archeological ruins to visit in Guatemala?

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Tony Camonte

Hands down, Tikal is the best. It's one one of the most spectacular sites in the world. Huge yet graceful pyramids 200 ft+ feet tall...and its in the middle of the jungle, so there's monkeys, parrots and other wildlife about. Main drawback: It's a little harder to get to- you have to either take a plane ($100 rt??) from Guatemala City or Cancun, or its I think 8 or 9 hours there by bus from Guatemala City (you can take one overnight).

There are other arch sites in the northern lowlands but most I think are harder to get to and visit than Tikal, I didn't see any of them except for Uaxactun which is small and near Tikal. Most of them haven't been restored for tourists.

The other major, famous place I can think of is Copan, which is in Honduras 10 miles from the Guatemalan border. It's not as massive and vast as Tikal, nor in the wilderness, but it has very beautiful statues, glyphs, and other carving, a lot more so than Tikal.

There are a few sites in the highlands, not very impressive compared to Tikal or Copan but kind of interesting. I went to Utatlan, near Santa Cruz del Quiche, and although the pyramids were small and ruined (unrestored), the setting atop a pine-forested hill was kind of cool, and the local semi-pagan Maya Indians still do ceremonies there, you can see the candles and whatnot left on the temples and in a nearby cave, I even met a priest of some kind who was doing something there.

There still is a large Maya population in the highlands, whereas in the lowlands most of them died off. That might be of interest I suppose. You can see some of them, in their traditional dress and all, if you see the colonial city Antigua which is 40 min from the capital. Although you'll see more of them further afield, say Lake Atitlan (esp. Santiago Atitlan), or Chichicastenango.

HijoDelSol

Tikal is the easy choice... you could also do a day in Ceibal while you are over that direction, but there isn't much to see.

For me, with 4 days, I would stay in Antigua and do a Day trip, or two day trip to Tikal. You can fly their fairly cheaply. They have flights that leave in the morning and return at night so you don't have to spend the night if you don't want to.

From Antigua you can see Antigua, Panajachel and lake Atitlan, and Chichicatenango and maybe climb an volcano if you are so inclined.

jpturboprop

The splendor of Guatamalan Mayan ruins is that there is no best- They are all spectacular, and have much to offer. Enjoy every moment. I am jealous, and wish I could go with you!

MAN I WIHS I COULD GO SEE MAYANS RUINS. YOU KNOW WHATS INTERESTING IF YOU WHISPER TO SOMEONE WHILE WHILE YOU AT THE RUINS OTHER PEOPLE CAN HEAR YOUR CONVERSATION. IS LIKE AN ECHO

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