Quiriguá, Archaeological site in Izabal Department, Guatemala
Quiriguá is an archaeological complex with numerous stone monuments, including stelae and zoomorphic altars distributed across multiple elevated plazas and terraces. The site spreads across land covered in dense tropical vegetation, with the carved stones rising among trees and thick greenery.
The settlement began as a small trading post and grew into a powerful kingdom between 250 and 900 CE. Its greatest achievement was defeating the neighboring city of Copán, which greatly increased its political influence in the region.
The stone carvings record stories of Maya leaders and their power struggles through carefully carved glyphs. For the people who lived here, these monuments served as a way to preserve their most important events and victories.
The best way to explore the site is on foot along the paths between the monuments, which wind through the tropical surroundings. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as the heat and humidity are intense and vegetation can be overgrown.
Stela E rises to about 10.6 meters, standing as the tallest carved stone monument ever erected in pre-Columbian America. This extraordinary size shows the technical skill and ambition of the Maya craftspeople who shaped these massive blocks.
Location: Izabal Department
GPS coordinates: 15.26944,-89.04028
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:00
Guatemala offers photographers a mix of pre-Columbian sites, volcanic landscapes, and colonial buildings. The geography ranges from highland towns to rainforests and coastal areas along the Pacific and Caribbean. Ancient Maya temples stand alongside Spanish-era churches, while indigenous markets and traditional villages show cultural life. The landscape is marked by active and dormant volcanoes, often surrounded by coffee plantations. Places like Antigua Guatemala display colonial architecture with cobblestone streets and courtyards. Lake Atitlán sits between mountains and smaller communities. Tikal and other archaeological sites in the north preserve Maya structures within jungle settings. Chichicastenango Market is known for woven textiles and incense. Pacaya and Acatenango are accessible volcanoes, while Semuc Champey offers natural pools in a limestone forest. The variety of regions makes Guatemala a country with different perspectives in short distances.
Guatemala contains several photographic subjects within its borders. Maya ruins such as Tikal, Yaxha and Quiriguá stand in the tropical forests of Petén and Izabal. Colonial architecture appears in Antigua Guatemala, where the Santa Catalina Arch and painted facades line cobblestone streets. Lake Atitlán sits between three volcanoes, with towns like Santiago Atitlán and San Marcos La Laguna offering different perspectives on the water. Active volcanoes including Pacaya and Acatenango provide opportunities to photograph lava flows and crater landscapes. The highland areas of Alta Verapaz hold Semuc Champey, a natural limestone pool, and the caves of Lanquín and Candelaria. Hot springs at Fuentes Georginas lie near Quetzaltenango in the western highlands. Chichicastenango Market documents textile trade and indigenous ceremonies. Livingston on the Rio Dulce shows Garifuna culture on the Caribbean coast, while Monterrico offers black sand beaches on the Pacific. Less visited sites like Dos Pilas, Takalik Abaj and Iximche add pre-Columbian contexts. The collection covers both well known and remote locations across Guatemala's varied geography.
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Las Conchas Natural Park
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