Guatemala /Jul 27, 2016
By the standards of Guatemala’s most famous Mayan sites, such as those at Tikal & Yaxha, the small settlement of Quirigua might come as something of a let-down.
Set amidst a huge banana plantation, this parkland site only takes around an hour or so to explore and is best known for its impressive and intricately carved stelae. The site was first inhabited around the 2nd century AD and, by the 8th century, during the reign of its most successful leader, Cauac Sky, had grown into an important state. The ruins that one sees today date mainly from this time and, in addition to the stelae, include sculpted calendars that provide historians with a valuable source of information about Mayan history.
As a result of its historical importance, Quirigua is one of only 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Guatemala.
Despite its modest size, the entrance fee is a somewhat steep 80 quetzales (approx £7), explainable only by the fact that Quirigua is the only Guatemalan Mayan site within reach of Puerto Barrios from where cruise ships disgorge passengers for a brief foray into ruin exploration.
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Beyond The Ordinary arrange fully bonded, tailor made holidays and tours to Guatemala. Contact one of our experts on 01580 764796, email travel@beyondtheordinary.co.uk or contact us via our website. |
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That said, visitors to Guatemala who are travelling overland might find that Quirigua makes for a convenient break in an otherwise largely uneventful part of the journey. From Guatemala City to Quirigua takes around 5 hours (or 3 hours from Copan), while Quirigua to Puerto Barrios takes a further 2 hours.
This classic Guatemala itinerary starts in the Highland region, taking in Antigua, Chichicastenango & Lake Atitlan amongst others before heading north via Quirigua, Livingston & Rio Dulce to the vast flatlands of Peten, home to the great Mayan cities of Tikal & Yaxha.
No single itinerary can ever succeed in being entirely comprehensive but the 3-week, Complete Guatemala comes pretty darn close and even provides the option of quick detour into Honduras.
This brief itinerary around the highlands of Guatemala takes in the key destinations of Antigua, Chichicastenango & Lake Atitlan together with some lesser known ones such as the Mayan ruins of Iximche and the city of Quetzaltenango.
For a country with such a fascinating history and a wealth of cultural attractions, it comes as something of a surprise that Guatemala only boasts 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Rio Dulce, or ‘Sweet River’ in English, is a river and lake system that flows from Lake Izabal into the Caribbean at Amatique Bay.
Mixco Viejo (aka Jilotepeque Viejo) is a Mayan archaeological site located some 50kms north of the capital, Guatemala City.
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Whichever of our featured countries you wish to visit, we've been there several times. So, if you're after something beyond the ordinary to Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala or the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, we'd love to hear from you.
