Zaculeu
Huehuetenango, Guatemala
Postclassic Period (1000–1525 AD)
About Zaculeu
The former capital of the Mam Maya kingdom, Zaculeu is situated on a natural plateau surrounded by deep ravines. The site was heavily restored in the 1940s by the United Fruit Company, giving it an unusually smooth, plastered appearance unlike any other Maya site.
Highlights
- Pyramid 1 — main temple with steeply restored stairway
- Natural defensive position on a plateau flanked by ravines
- Small on-site museum with skeletal remains and ceramics
- Unique smooth white plaster restoration aesthetic
- Last Maya stronghold to fall to Spanish conquistadors in 1525
Best Time to Visit
October to April, easily combined with a visit to Huehuetenango town