El Mirador
El Mirador is a Mayan settlement in the rainforest that dates back thousands of years. This enigmatic metropolis used to be one of the largest in the ancient world, with a population of around 100,000 people. A series of remarkable triadic pyramids with rickety ladders and steep stone stairs to the top provide spectacular views of the jungle canopy and adjacent temples.
Archeologists are only beginning to uncover the history of this intriguing metropolis, which is supposed to have begun around 3,500 years ago and was abandoned some 1,850 years ago. It is only accessible via a multi-day trip through the forest or by helicopter.
Location: El Petén, Guatemala
