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Guatemala Archaeologically, Petén Región:
Tikal National Park was founded in 1848 by people who were occupied by extracting resin of the zapodillatree, in 1955 it was declared national park and in 1979 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The National Park is 576 sq km and contains over 3000 structures spread around different plazas like the acropolis, ceremonial temples, residences, ball courts and astronomical complexes. The natural surroundings of the maya city are a laboratory of fauna and flora which is a perfect proof of a humid subtropical forest.

Access is permitted the whole year through by a paved road of 65 km leaving Flores.

The park is opened between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm. The current admission fee is $ 20.00 for foreigners and Q 25.00 for inhabitants.

Tikal has two museums.

The larger of the two is in the visitors center and houses a number of stelae and carved stones from the ruines. Outside there is a large map showing how Tikal would have looked like in the Classic Period around AD 800. The smallest museum is situated near the Hotel Jungle Lodge. It has an extensive collection of burial goods of Ah Cacao, carved jade, inscribed bones, shells, stelae, ceramics and other items recovered from the excavations.

Yaxhá: This important ceremonial site is located by the lake known by the same name and is connected with Flores in the east by a 80 km road of which 70 km are paved while the last 10 km are sandy roads.

Yaxhá means "green water". It is a Maya city of monumental magnitude with over 500 structures. Situated on a hill, north of the lake, it occupies from east till west 3 km. The site is characterized by large artificial platforms, causeways and roads connecting different architectural complexes of the city and the lake.

Yaxhá had alliances with Tikal which shows in the similarities of the architectural buildings in both cities, like the group of twin pyramids. The enemy of Naranjo attacked and destroyed Yaxhá several times. Beyond the different complexes are worth mentioning: Plaza C, the Acrópolis Este, the twin pyramids, the Acrópolis Norte, the astronomical complex, the Malher group and the causeway at the lake.

Yaxhá - Nakum - Tikal 3 days - 2 nights In the southern section you can find the Acrópolis central, a monumental artificial hill which contains 11 patios, numerous buildings and another Acrópolis situated in the upper part in the centre. The visible architecture dates from the Classic Period and contains also several stelae and altars. The site has access for all vehicules in the dry season as it can only by visited by foot during the wet season. (based on Editorial de Galería Guatemala, Fundación G&T)

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