Lying on the quiet Caribbean, this small town began as a fruit production company. It is a gateway to the ruins of Tikal, a Mayan city that flourished around 700 to 800 AD. Archaeological digs have unearthed intriguing clues about a sophisticated Mayan culture able to predict the solstice and farm the land with great success. At its pinnacle, Tikal's highly spiritual population swelled into the tens of thousands. Today, migratory birds in the enchanted forest fly above ruins of ancient temples, monuments, and ball courts. Keen-eyed visitors might spot the rare quetzal, the country's national bird.