Archaeological Sites in Guatemala
Guatemala’s archeological sites helped put the country on the map. From the dense forests of Petén to the banana plantations near Lake Izabal, there are exquisite Mayan ruins most everywhere in Guatemala. Some have been well excavated, while others are only now beginning to be unearthed. The sites host temples and pyramids, hieroglyphic staircases and hidden underground chambers. The structures are endlessly fascinating.
The best places to visit in Archaeological Sites in Guatemala
Tikal National Park
Set within the northern reaches of Guatemala’s Petén department is the incredible Mayan site of Tikal. With its massive Mayan temples, steep limestone pyramids and thick green jungles, Tikal is undoubtedly one of the top attractions in Guatemala. The ruins and surrounding forest are located within the Tikal National Park.
Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo
The Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo Natural Monument includes the Mayan sites of Yaxhá, Nakum, Topoxté, and El Naranjo. The largest site is Yaxhá, which sits between two lovely lakes. Yaxhá gained widespread fame in 2005 when Survivor Guatemala was filmed here.
Ceibal Natural Monument
The Mayan site of Ceibal is located near Sayaxché in Guatemala’s Petén department. The site’s structures are partially restored and surrounded by a protected forest.
Iximche
The Mayan site of Iximché was originally used as a Kaqchikel capital during the fifteenth century. It’s notable for its strong Mexican influences, which differentiate it from other Mayan sites in the area.
Aguateca Archaeological Site
The Mayan site of Aguateca is situated along the shores of the Petexbatún Lagoon in the department of Petén. The site dates back to the Late Preclassic period and was hastily abandoned around AD 810.
Quirigua
The Mayan site of Quiriguá has some of Guatemala’s best-preserved stelae. Set within the Caribbean Lowlands near Lake Izabal, Quiriguá is smaller but similar to the ruins of Copán, especially in regards to the architecture and carving style. It’s far less visited than Copán but nonetheless holds some fabulous Mayan structures.
Takalik Abaj
The Mayan site of Takalik Abaj is located 9 miles (15 km) west of Retalhuleu along Guatemala’s Pacific coast. The site is especially notable for its Olmec-influenced sculptures and structures.
El Mirador
El Mirador is one of the largest and earliest Mayan sites in the world. Set within Guatemala’s thick Petén jungles, El Mirador flourished in the Preclassic period prior to the accession of Tikal. The massive ruins here are the focus of ongoing excavations and are sure to reveal a wealth of new knowledge over the coming years.
Copan Ruins
Set just across the border in Honduras, the Mayan site of Copán features some of the best ruins in the Mayan world. The hieroglyphic carvings here are magnificent, as are the well-restored pyramids, palaces, and stelae. The artistry at Copán is exquisite and without parallel.
Mixco Viejo
Mixco Viejo was originally the capital of the Poqomam Maya, one of Guatemala’s main tribes prior to the arrival of the Spanish. A French team beautifully restored the site in the 1950s and ’60s, and it’s still an interesting place to visit. The setting is also spectacular.
Archaeological Sites in Guatemala itineraries from local insiders
Explore hand-picked Archaeological Sites in Guatemala itineraries designed by local insiders who know every hidden corner. Each trip is completely flexible, customized to your pace, travel style, and budget.
A Wedding Celebration Made Better
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Guatemala
Family Memories Together
Embark on a vibrant family adventure that balances Guatemala’s soaring volcanoes and tranquil lakes with affordable, immersive experiences designed for lasting memories. Your journey threads from the cool mist of Lake Atitlán to Antigua’s colonial cobblestones, then into a high‑altitude forest canopy, with avocado farm visits, lake tours, and street‑food evenings. Friendly local guides and welcoming families will share traditions, flavors, and stories, leaving you with a deeper connection to Guatemala’s culture and unforgettable family moments.
Guatemala
The Best of Guatemala
From the volcanic highlands to the misty lake shores, this adventure captures Guatemala’s dramatic contrasts of ancient ruins, vibrant markets, and rugged natural wonders. After arriving in Guatemala City, you’ll head to cool Lake Atitlán for kayaking and coffee tours, then ride ATVs on Pacaya’s volcanic slopes before exploring Tikal’s towering temples. Friendly locals and knowledgeable guides will immerse you in Maya heritage, bustling street food scenes, and serene lake villages, leaving you with stories and a deeper connection to Guatemala’s soul.
Guatemala
Exclusive Guatemala
Embark on an exclusive, luxury adventure that juxtaposes tranquil highland lakes, dense jungle wilderness, and vibrant colonial charm across Guatemala's most iconic landscapes. You’ll glide from the cool shores of Lake Atitlán to the rainforests surrounding Tikal, then ascend the volcanic slopes of Acatenango before winding through the coffee farms of Antigua. Local experts and passionate hosts will lead horseback rides, private lake tours, and a traditional temazcal ceremony, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Guatemala’s heritage and natural splendor.
Guatemala
A Solo Journey Through Guatemala
From the misty highlands surrounding Lake Atitlán to the colonial charm of Antigua, your solo adventure weaves volcanic landscapes, vibrant markets, and ancient Maya heritage into a single unforgettable trek. You’ll kayak on Lake Atitlán’s glass‑blue waters, trek the coffee‑scented slopes of Pacaya volcano, explore bustling market stalls in Chichicastenango, and wander cobblestone streets beneath Antigua’s cool, spring‑time breezes. Friendly local guides and community hosts will share stories, recipes, and traditions, leaving you with a deeper connection to Guatemala’s resilient spirit and a treasure trove of unforgettable memories.
Guatemala
Explore and Connect
Embark on an adventurous couples vacation in Guatemala that balances vibrant markets, soaring canopies, and tranquil lakes while keeping the budget‑friendly spirit alive. From the high‑altitude colors of Chichicastenango and its bustling market to the serene waters of Lake Atitlán, then zip‑lining over cloud forests and unwinding on Monterrico’s Pacific shore. Local guides and friendly hosts weave authentic stories into each activity, leaving you with unforgettable memories of culture, nature, and shared adventure that feel both intimate and enriching.
Guatemala
Artisan Explorer in Guatemala
the culture is so rich and diverse, the colors, the music, language, dance, art, artesania, nature, and most of all the people are very nice and wonderful
Guatemala
Nature Week in Guatemala with Friends
Swap bustling city streets for the emerald heart of Guatemala, where mist‑kissed highlands and turquoise lakes reveal a world of untamed nature and timeless Maya heritage. Your week threads through Lanquín’s rainforest canopy, Semuc Champey’s limestone pools, and Lake Atitlán’s volcanic rim, each microclimate delivering zip‑lining thrills, river swims, and coffee‑farm tours. Friendly locals and knowledgeable guides share Maya traditions, sustainable farming, and volcanic legends, leaving you with vivid memories of adventure, community, and the pristine beauty of Guatemala’s wild heart.
Guatemala
This is the Jungle? Ohh La La!
Take the children on an exciting adventure without sacrificing your comfort. Spend time outdoors, then enjoy high thread count linens, swimming pools, and private transportation.
Guatemala
The Colors & Culture of Guatemala
Don’t just take your family somewhere new, teach them about the world on a colorful expedition of Guatemala full of outdoor adventures, history, and cultural exchanges.
Guatemala
Colorful Cultural Adventures
Explore the world in vivid color when you make your way through Guatemala. Get outdoors, enjoy cultural exchanges, learn something new. Sample the best of Guatemala now!
Guatemala
Guatemala's Gems of Nature
Take yourself on an amazing journey –– collect precious memories throughout the visually striking nation of Guatemala. The beauty of Lake Atitlan and history of Antigua awaits.
Guatemala
An Expedition in Guatemala & Belize
You’re an intrepid traveler with an explorer’s spirit –– it’s time to make your way through the wild heart of Guatemala and Belize. This vacation, walk with the ancients.
Guatemala
Live, Laugh, Love in Guatemala
Rediscover your passion for adventure and each other when you make your way through beautiful Guatemala. Sample a little of everything –– from ruins to cuisine.
Guatemala
Heart of The Mayan World
I would warn them about the deceptive practices of Casa Azul though about the stocking and charges of the alcohol in the fridge. No warning at check in. No signage on fridge. Not locked. No tally sheet. No warning or heads up by Anywhere. I have never had to pay for alcohol before. ($92. U.S.) There was a store a few doors away. My only complaint about this hotel. I would stay there again. I just wouldn't be tricked twice.
Guatemala
More Archaeological Sites in Guatemala
There's always more to discover in Guatemala. From off-the-beaten-path gems to well-loved classics, these archaeological sites in guatemala are worth adding to your itinerary.
La Democracia
The small town of La Democracia lies east of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa. The town is notable for the ancient stone heads that decorate its central plaza.
Destination
Uaxactún Archaeological Site
The remote Mayan site of Uaxactún is located 14 miles (23 km) north of Tikal. Although substantially smaller than Tikal, the ruins at Uaxactún nonetheless offer an interesting look at ancient Mayan culture. A notable feature here is an astronomical observatory.
Destination
Topoxte Archaeological Site
Topoxté is a Mayan site in Petén. Set on an island near the shores of the Yaxhá Lagoon, Topoxté has structures that date back to the Late Postclassic period.
Destination
Dos Pilas Archaeological Site
Dos Pilas is a pre-Colombian Mayan site in the department of Petén. The site was once a capital of the region and at the height of its power the kingdom covered around 1,500 square miles (3,885 square km).
Destination
El Baúl
El Baúl is a Mayan site that’s part of the Cotzumalhuapa archaeological zone in Guatemala. El Baúl has a sampling of pre-Columbian artifacts on display, including massive stone heads, altars, and stelae. The stelae here have some of the earliest-known inscriptions in all of Mesoamerica.
Destination
Tayazal Archaelogical Site
The Mayan ruins of Tayazal are set in the hillside above San Miguel, a town that borders Lake Petén Itzá. The ruins are small but offer spectacular views of the lake and Flores.
Destination
Cancuen
The Mayan site of Cancuén was unearthed in the early 1900s but didn’t receive due attention until 1999, when new investigations revealed the huge scale of the ruins here. It’s located within Guatemala’s Alta Verapaz department just north of Raxrujá.
Destination
Insider-led Costa Rica Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
