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Kaminaljuyu: Ancient Maya City in Guatemala City

Explore Kaminaljuyu, an ancient Maya city located in the heart of Guatemala City, offering a glimpse into the pre-Classic Maya civilization.

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Kaminaljuyu, meaning 'Hill of the Dead,' was a major pre-Classic Maya city located in the highlands of Guatemala, now within Guatemala City. Inhabited from around 1500 BCE to 900 CE, it was a significant center for trade and culture. Today, the archaeological park offers a glimpse into this ancient civilization, though much of the site is buried under the modern city.

A brief summary to Archaeological Center kaminaljuyu

  • Monday 8 am-4 pm
  • Tuesday 8 am-4 pm
  • Wednesday 8 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 8 am-4 pm
  • Friday 8 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 8 am-4 pm
  • Sunday 8 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the grassy mounds and excavated areas.
  • Visit the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology or the Popol Vuh Museum to see original artifacts from Kaminaljuyu.
  • Hire a local guide at the entrance for a more in-depth understanding of the site (included in the entrance fee).
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Getting There

  • Taxi

    From most locations in Guatemala City, a taxi or ride-sharing service is the most convenient way to reach Kaminaljuyu. A short taxi ride from Zona 1 will cost approximately Q50. Taxis are readily available throughout the city. Ensure the driver knows the destination, as the site can be easily missed amidst the urban landscape. A taxi from Guatemala City to Kaminal Juyú will cost $6-9.

  • Public Transport

    Local buses (often referred to as 'chicken buses') also serve the area, but can be crowded and less direct. Check with your hotel or a local for the appropriate bus route and stop. Bus fares are generally very cheap, around Q10-Q15. Be aware of your belongings and surroundings when using public transport.

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Discover more about Archaeological Center kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu, meaning “Hill of the Dead” in Mayan K'iche', was one of the most important pre-Hispanic Maya cities in the Guatemalan Central Highlands. Located within present-day Guatemala City, the site was strategically positioned at the crossroads of Maya trade routes. It thrived from the Middle Pre Classic period (800-300 B.C.) through the beginning of the Post Classic period (900-1200 A.D.). During its peak, from about 400 BC to AD 100, Kaminaljuyu had thousands of inhabitants and numerous temples, dominating much of highland Guatemala. The city was a major center for artistic, architectural, and sociopolitical advances. Large-scale carvings found here were forerunners of Classic Maya carving, and Kaminaljuyu had a literate elite before anywhere else in the Maya world. The design of tombs and pyramids reflect the influence of Teotihuacán, the most important center in central Mexico during the Classic Period. Today, the archaeological park is a small portion of the ancient city, with the remnants consisting chiefly of grassy mounds. Visitors can explore the Acropolis, where excavations of a ball court and talud-tablero buildings from AD 450 to 550 can be seen. The site also features a small on-site museum with replica pieces. The best artifacts and carvings uncovered are housed at the National Museum of Ethnology and Archaeology and the Popol Vuh Museum.

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