Tikal Ruins

There was one thing I knew I wanted to make sure I saw while in Guatemala. I couldn't come all the way to Central America, and not see one of the largest sites of the pre-Colombian Mayan civilization. 

I did my own self guided tour, but was amazed at how many structures were still standing and preserved over so many thousands of years.  Some of the earliest findings date back to 4th Century BC, while many of the current buildings dating back to 200-900 AD. 

                                       

People were allowed to climb, sit and walk among the different temples and ruins. This made the experience come alive for me. I was able to feel the strong rock structures and walk the pathways that the ancient Mayas had walked thousands of years prior.

  

   

In the whole Tikal kingdom, there is thought to be thousands of remains and structures. Most of these areas are still be excavated, mapped and discovered. The park itself has over 35 or so buildings and sites to explore. Some of the temples were taller over 230 ft tall and towered over the jungle canopy.

                                    

 One of the best features of the park was that I didn't feel like I was at some large tourist attraction with plowed down areas and roped off sections. Of course at many of the main buildings and areas there were the expected big groups of people and guided tours and people selling concessions. But a nice dirt path through the jungle forest connected each structure, and many times throughout the morning I would go 20-30 minutes without seeing a soul...

It was just me, the jungle and the ruins of Tikal.