Fact Sheets & Video - Guatemala

The story began over 2500 years ago during the Maya time, a civilization that built hundreds of cities across Central America. Now archaeological sites, these were once flourishing towns that revolved around the Mayan people.

During their heyday, the Mayans not only built mind-blowing structures, they also mastered astronomy, mathematics, architecture, and a glyph system of writing.

The most magnificent and largest Mayan village is located within the dense, sprawling jungle of El Peten in Guatemala. The sheer scale of the ruins at Tikal can at first seem daunting; there are over 4000 buildings here. And although the jungle has swallowed up most of them, you'll still be overwhelmed by the enormous quantity of these mystical ruins.

The Great Plaza is the central area of the Tikal Ruins and is a good starting point. Surrounded by four massive temples, this was the focal point of ceremonial and religious activity at Tikal for around a thousand years. There are pyramid temples on three sides of the plaza and a palace on one side.

Visitors can climb the steep stairs to the top of the temples and admire the breathtaking views of the surrounding ruins in an unruly jungle.

Mayans also played hard; hidden in the trees next to one of the pyramids is the ball court where the Mayans played a ball game using heavy rubber ball about the size of volleyball. They would hit the ball back and forth to each other using only the hip and elbow on one side of their bodies across a line or through a hoop. This game was a matter of survival because if you were on the losing team you had your head cut off.

As you pass through the many structures within Tikal National Park, you can't help but wonder why such an impressive city was deserted practically overnight. In 900AD the Mayans suddenly abandoned all its cities, including the bustling Tikal, and to this day the reason remains a mystery.

There is so much to see at Tikal Ruins that you should allow a couple of days to explore the area. November to May is the best time to visit because it's the dry season and the temperatures are mild.

The facts

Travelworld packages to Guatemala with Adventure World start from $3899 per person, twin share from the east coast. This includes flights with Qantas and TACA, transfers, seven nights accommodation, breakfasts, plus day tours to Tikal National Park.

Travelworld

Tel: 13 14 35

Adventure World

Tel: 03 8913 0755

Clark Tours

Tel: 0011 502 339 2888 (international)

Entry to the Tikal Ruins costs $11 for adults and $3 for kids.

Entry to the Tikal Museum costs just $2.

Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo

Tel: 0011 502 331 1333 47