Built around 700 AD, the 57 metre high pyramid of Temple V in Tikal was one of the tallest and most voluminous buildings in the Maya world.

Justin Foulkes

Tikal

The most striking feature of Tikal is its towering, steep-sided temples, rising to heights of more than 144ft (44m), but what distinguishes it is its jungle setting. Its many plazas have been cleared of trees and vines, its temples uncovered and partially restored, but as you walk from one building to another you pass beneath a dense canopy of rainforest amid the rich, loamy aromas of earth and vegetation. Much of the delight of touring the site comes from strolling the broad causeways, originally built from packed limestone to accommodate traffic between temple complexes. By stepping softly you’re more likely to spot monkeys, agoutis, foxes and ocellated turkeys.


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Guatemala for first-timers

Oct 18, 2019 • 5 min read

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