Archaeology:

Tikal was one of the more important urban centers of its time in the Maya area. This is evident in the more than 3,000 structures extending over six square miles including palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, ball courts, terraces, plazas, avenues and steam baths. Any visitor that comes to Tikal will be dazzled by the imposing Great Plaza and the architectural immensity of its temples, which date back to 150 years before Christ. Archaeologists estimate that it required almost 2,000 tons of material to build these temples. There are about 200 altars and hundreds of burial sites and ritual offerings. The findings in Tikal show the delicacy of its ceramics and jade carvings, as well as lintels carved from hardwood.

Tikal is also the refuge for most of the mammals in Guatemala. In the walks along the paths, spider and howler monkeys are visible to the visitor who, with a bit of luck, will also see red coatis, racoons and white-tailed deer. In the areas open to the public, encounters with pumas and jaguars are not likely. Tikal has been declared a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO for its magnificent combination of nature and archaeological remains.