subject: Take A Parque Nacional Tikal Vacation [print this page] If you really want a vacation, then why visit another modern city? An ideal location is Parque Nacional Tikal, which is found in a remote location in Guatemala. It is about fifty miles northwest of Guatemala's border with Belize. The fact that it is a remote location does not mean that it is a jungle away from human civilization. You will discover one of the greatest civilizations who built a city that has endured the test of time.
Parque Nacional Tikal is not a jungle, but it is set in a jungle canopy. It has more than 3,000 structures that cover more than six square miles. Among these structures are plazas, ball courts, avenues, ceremonial platforms, terraces, palaces and temples.
The park has a history that goes back thousands of years. The Maya community established it around 600 BC. This special city reached the peak of its development about 1,500 years ago, when it had a population of about 100,000 Mayans. The area was not just a great political center but also a religious and scientific hub of the former years.
Among the things that make Parque Nacional Tikal unique are its five pyramids. You will be awed by how complex the chronology of North Acropolis is. The Central Acropolis too has a complex assemblage of palace structures. At the top of the temples are great combs which, together with the great height, make them awe-inspiring. This is a truly grand ceremonial center.
The Great Plaza had already been established during the time of Christ, although it was still being constructed. There are just a few pieces of pottery that point to the city's origins prior to the time of Christ.
If you thought that the ancient people were backward, then the engineering feats of the Mayan community will make you change your mind. The temples and pyramids demonstrate great skill and understanding.
Yet this is not all you will enjoy at Parque Nacional Tikal, which is a national park. The plants and animals in this place are among the greatest things that make it very special. If you have only had the chance to see caged parrots, then you will find them here in their natural habitat, squawking happily. The howler monkeys will also add to the unique sounds that make this a unique site. Other animals you will find here are coatis-mundis, gray foxes, deer, peccary and spider monkeys.
Although the Tikal Museum displays some special archeological exhibits, you will not really find a coherent history of the place. Only a few pieces of information have been gathered here and there, which is why it is still a popular destination for archeologists. The unique combination found here has prompted UNESCO to designate it both as a heritage and natural site, being the only place in the world to receive both designations from this world body.
Whether you want a place where you can get in tune with nature or study ancient culture, Parque Nacional Tikal is the answer.
