Tikal
Lost Kingdom of the Maya
Once the ceremonial center of the ancient Maya, the ruins at Tikal were rediscovered in 1955 and comprise the largest collection of Mayan ruins ever excavated. Now, a National Park covering 358 square miles of prime rainforest, Tikal is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including spider and howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars, and almost 250 bird species. Toucans, monkeys, coatis, turkeys, trogons, parrots, macaws and other birds and mammals are commonly sighted along the trails.
UNESCO declared Tikal a World Heritage site in 1979 due to its exceptional natural and cultural value.
Given the region's significance in the Mayan Civilization, several important archaeological sites are found in Petén, such as Naachtún, Chochkitam, La Honradez, Xultún, Xmakabatún, Holmul, Uaxactún, Piedras Negras, Tikal, Yaxhá, Topoxte, Nakum, El Naranjo, San Clemente, Itzimté, Tayasal, Popol, Ucana, Altar de Sacrificios, La Amelia, Ixhún, Ceibal, Poptún, and Cancuén.
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