Uaxactún
A Maya city north of Tikal. Its E-Group complex is a famous astronomical observatory, and the site is raw and uncrowded.
Uaxactún was a neighbor and rival of Tikal, rising to prominence in the Preclassic period. Its E-Group complex, a pyramid flanked by three small temples, forms a sunrise observation system aligned with the equinoxes and solstices, a classic case in Maya archaeoastronomy. The site also includes the Mask Temple and Groups A and B. Uaxactún lies beside the village of the same name, about 23 km north of Tikal along a dirt road. A 4WD takes about an hour, and the road is impassable in the rainy season. Entry costs little. It suits archaeology enthusiasts who want to avoid the crowds.
Opening hours
Open daytime
Nearby sights
- Tikal Temple IV
- Tikal Museums (Sylvanus G. Morley)
- Great Plaza, Tikal
- Tikal National Park
- Mundo Perdido, Tikal
- Tikal Temple V
- Topoxté
- Yaxhá