Olmeca you ask? But Guatemala is the heart of the "Mundo Maya". Yes, Guatemala is the heart of the Mundo Maya with such archaeological sites as: Tikal, Quirigua, Iximche, Mixco Viejo, and so many more. So what is with the "Mundo Olmeca"???
The part of Guatemala referred to as the "Pacific Coast and Maya Highlands"
includes the areas from Escuintla and Puerto San Jose in the south to Retalhuleu and into Mexico in the west. Artifacts found in the Pacific coast area include monumental sculpture and carved stelae bearing Long Count dates and hieroglyphics that mark the beginning of the Late Preclassic Period (100 AD - 100 BC). Early in the Christian area strong influences from central
Mexico created a hybrid Maya-Mexican culture.
The most notable site in the area is 30km west of Retalhuleu - Abaj Takalik.
Found here have been large "Olmecoid" stone heads along with many other objects that date this site as one of the earliest in all the Mayan world. This site is still active and you can see the excavations in process. Because of this, Abaj Takalik is not restored and "pretty" for tourism as are Tikal and Copán.
Further east, towards Esquintla, is the Guatemalan town of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa. There are 3 interesting sites in the area.
Finca Las Ilusiones and its museum house hundreds of objects, large and small that have been collected from the finca over the centuries.
Bilbao is a large ceremonial site that dates back to about 600 AD. The site consists of several separate sites all within tall stands of sugar cane. The stones there, although weathered, are elaborately carved.
El Baúl is on a hilltop and has similar stones and figures as Bilbao. El Baúl is particularly interesting as it is still used by the locals as an active place to conduct rituals.
Finally, the town of La Democracia - like Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa - is in the middle of the ancient Mexican-Mayan civilizations. Great Olmecoid heads are arranged in the main plaza of town and the small museum has many artifacts collected locally.
A four-hour public bus ride from Guatemala City to Retalhuleu can make for
an interesting cultural experience.
If you prefer more comfort and security, Vision Travel has a 2 day/1 night "Mundo Olmeca" package visiting the 4 locations mentioned above, as well as spending time at the Xocomil Water Park near Retalhuleu.
Stop by the office for more information about our tour, or plan your own
itinerary using some of the many guidebooks we have in our resource library.
However you travel there, it is a special place.
Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our Central America Insiders page.
