Place to see: Tikal, Tikal, Guatemala

About this place:

Tikal was one of the major cultural and population centers of the Maya civilization. Though monumental architecture at the site dates to the 4th century BC, Tikal reached its height during the Classic Period, ca. 200 AD to 900 AD, during which time the site dominated the Maya region politically, economically, and militarily.

It's now part of Guatemala's Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular tourist spot. The closest large towns are Flores and Santa Elena, which are about 30 kilometers away.