Quirigua is one of the most important archaeological sites of Guatemala, declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981. The ancient ruins of Quirigua are located on the northern department of Izabal, 1.5 km East from the town Los Amates, on the Motagua Valley.
Quirigua holds some of the most amazing stelae and stone-carved zoomorphic altars of the Mayan civilization. The most remarkable monuments inside the park are its gigantic 10 m tall and 65 tons sandstone monoliths. The site also has 6 carved boulders called Zoomorphs, that represent mythical animals like turtles and jaguars.
The city of Quirigua, discovered in 1840, corresponds to the Classical Mayan period. It held a strong relationship with the city of Copan, in Honduras. The history of the rivalry between these two cities is represented on the hieroglyphs of the temples and monuments. A museum inside the park offers detailed information on the city’s history and it’s cultural importance.
The best accommodation options in the area are in Rio Dulce, where you can find many hotels offering transportation to the ruins of Quirigua. Visiting the ruins takes a whole day, and the entrance fee is Q25.
Leave a comment