Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Acropolis itself is rather unimpressive, failing to rise in height above the treetops of
the surrounding jungle, though it is somewhat spread out. There's a small ball court on its
western side.
Practicalities
Theparkisopen7:30A.M.-5P.M.daily.Admissionis$4.There'sasmallmuseumhousing
displays on the site's significance in relation to Mayan history and geopolitics along with a
model showing the extent of the site's boundaries and unexcavated sections.
The site lies four kilometers from the main road with frequent transport heading up and
down thanks to the activities of the nearby banana plantations. At the entrance to the site
are a ticket office, the museum, and a few simple soda stands as well as some folks selling
coconuts. The turnoff to the park from the main road (Highway CA-9) is between Km.
204 and Km. 205, about 70 kilometers northeast of the Río Hondo Junction. The village
of Quiriguá lies two kilometers back along the road toward Guatemala City and has some
basic accommodations, though a better option is the town of Los Amates, at Km. 200 of
HighwayCA-9,ifyoushouldneedtospendthenightintheseparts.Anybusheadingalong
Highway CA-9 can drop you off at the junction to the road leading to the park.
Just north of this roadside town is the
La Ruidosa Junction,
where those heading to Río
Dulce will have to change buses. Morales was formerly known as Bananera when it was
the United Fruit Company town. Farther down, at about Km. 280, is the Entre Ríos Junc-
tion, from where the road heads east to Honduras.
Near Puerto Barrios, at Km. 284 of Highway CA-9, is the Jardín Botánico y Restaurante
Ecológico El Hibiscus (tel. 7294-0397 or 5514-9525,
www.hibiscusprojectizabal.com
, 6
A.M.- 5:30 P.M. Mon.-Sat.), a pleasant restaurant tastefully furnished with tropical wicker
furniture and Mayan textiles that serves excellent breakfasts ($3-4), seafood, steaks, sand-
wiches, salads, and Guatemalan dishes. A tasty
caldo de gallina criolla
(chicken soup) is
servedonSaturdays.Youcanenjoyyourmealinapleasantwoodendiningroomoroutside
on one of two patios. Visitors can also enjoy a stroll through the botanical gardens housing
a wide variety of flowers and tropical plants. It makes a pleasant stop on the way to Puerto
Barrios or a good place to eat outside of town if you're staying there. The restaurant also
serves as an information center for the Cerro San Gil and Punta de Manabique protected
areas.
