Quiriguá - A National Treasure - six hours along the road from Antigua!

Quiriguá (Spanish pronunciation: [kiɾiˈɣwa]) is an ancient Maya archaeological site in the department of Izabal in south-eastern Guatemala. It is a medium-sized site covering approximately 3 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi) along the lower Motagua River,[2] with the ceremonial center about 1 km (0.6 mi) from the north bank.[3] During the Maya Classic Period (AD 200–900), Quiriguá was situated at the juncture of several important trade routes. The site was occupied by 200, construction on the acropolis had begun by about 550, and an explosion of grander construction started in the 8th century. All construction had halted by about 850, except for a brief period of reoccupation in the Early Postclassic (c. 900 – c. 1200). Quiriguá shares its architectural and sculptural styles with the nearby Classic Period city of Copán, with whose history it is closely entwined.[4] (Wikipedia).

This was a day...............in total we spent 8 hours in the bus traveling to the Peten area of Guatemala.
After 6 hours we came to Quirigua and our first, up-front, jungle field trip.  It was probably about 39 C and with the humidity, it felt like 49C.

Our students enjoyed their box lunch and thorough tour of the ruins before heading off to Tikal for dinner and check in at the Camino Real hotel.  At the hotel they were happy to change into swim suits and dive into the pool.

Tomorrow we are all looking forward to Parque Arqueologico Tikal for a full day at the pyramids and the centre of the Mayan universe.