<strong>Tikal: </strong>Located in the wilds of Tikal National Park about 200 miles north of Guatemala City, this metropolis was settled as early as 600 B.C. Click through the gallery to see more photos of this once-powerful Mayan stronghold:
Tikal: Located in the wilds of Tikal National Park about 200 miles north of Guatemala City, this metropolis was settled as early as 600 B.C. Click through the gallery to see more photos of this once-powerful Mayan stronghold:
JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>National park: </strong>Most of the major buildings viewable today in Tikal National Park date to the civilization's heyday, A.D. 550 to 900.
National park: Most of the major buildings viewable today in Tikal National Park date to the civilization's heyday, A.D. 550 to 900.
Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Mayan ceremony: </strong>On December 21, 2012, people gathered at Tikal to celebrate the end of the Mayan cycle known as Bak'tun 13 and the start of the Maya new age.
Mayan ceremony: On December 21, 2012, people gathered at Tikal to celebrate the end of the Mayan cycle known as Bak'tun 13 and the start of the Maya new age.
Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Folklore:</strong> Members of folklore groups were among those gathered in front of the Mayan temple Gran Jaguar in the Tikal archaeological site in 2012.
Folklore: Members of folklore groups were among those gathered in front of the Mayan temple Gran Jaguar in the Tikal archaeological site in 2012.
Hector RetamalAFP/Getty Images
<strong>Discoveries: </strong>Archaeologists have uncovered 3,000 structures over a six-mile-square area, with more than 200 sculptured stone monuments and altars.
Discoveries: Archaeologists have uncovered 3,000 structures over a six-mile-square area, with more than 200 sculptured stone monuments and altars.
Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Towering temples: </strong>Some of Tikal's skyscraping temples, which rise through the tops of dense jungle canopy, were the tallest buildings in the New World until the 19th century.
Towering temples: Some of Tikal's skyscraping temples, which rise through the tops of dense jungle canopy, were the tallest buildings in the New World until the 19th century.
Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Lodging: </strong>There are three main hotels near the entrance of the park, including Jungle Lodge Hotel, pictured.
Lodging: There are three main hotels near the entrance of the park, including Jungle Lodge Hotel, pictured.
Courtesy Jungle Lodge Hotel
<strong>Staying nearby:</strong> Another option near the park's entrance is Tikal Inn.
Staying nearby: Another option near the park's entrance is Tikal Inn.
Courtesy Tikal Inn