Tikal was the capital of a great Maya city-state, one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Maya. Today Tikal is a site of expansive Mayan ruins deep in the jungle, in the rainforests of northern Guatemala.

Tikal became an important ceremonial center between 300 B.C.E. and 100 C.E. and reached its apogee between 300 and 850 C.E., with its great plazas, pyramids, and palaces. By 900 A.D., after hundreds of years of prosperity, like many of the other Mayan states, the great city of Tikal collapsed (although some cities like Chichen Itza, continued to flourish for centuries).

Tikal is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Antigua was the first capital of the Spanish colony Kingdom of Guatemala, founded in 1543. In 1773 huge earthquake destroyed the city, but its principal monuments are still preserved as ruins. Today Antigua is one of the main attractions of Guatemala and UNESCO World Heritage Site, because of its colonial architecture, historic buildings and the haunting ruins of beautiful churches and catedrals.

Locations in the video: Mirador del Cerro de la Cruz (0:00, 0:48), Iglesia de San Francisco (0:08, 5:45), Iglesia La Merced (0:14), Museo del Hermano Pedro (0:20), Ruins of Iglesia de la Candelaria (0:28), Arco de Santa Catalina (0:33), Cementerio San Lazaro (1:06), Ruins of Colegio de San Jeronimo (1:22), Templo Santa Teresa De Jesus (2:21), Convento de Capuchinas (2:40), Convento Santa Clara (3:02), Antigua Guatemala Cathedral (3:33), Plaza Mayor (4:27), Arco de Santa Catalina (4:57), Iglesia La Merced (5:06), Convento de la Merced (5:19), Iglesia de San Francisco (5:45), Ruinas del Monasterio de Santa Catalina (6:01), Ruinas de Nuestra Senora de Los Remedios (6:25), Ermita del Santo Calvario (6:44), view to Fuego volcano from volcano Pacaya (6:52), view to Fuego volcano from volcano Acatenango (8:01).

Lake Atitlan in Guatemala is known for its amazing natural scenery, Alexander von Humboldt called it "the most beautiful lake in the world". Lake Atitlan is 130 square km large and 340 meters deep, it is a volcanic lake with 3 volcanoes on one side, surrounded by mountains and towns where Maya culture is still alive.

In the video: scenes from main viewpoints around the lake, from the trail between Santa Cruz La Laguna and San Marcos La Laguna, from the towns of Panajachel, Solola, San Pedro La Laguna, Santiago Atitlan, San Juan La Laguna, from San Pedro volcano and the Indian Head.