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Photo: Gobierno de Guatemala, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Ancient ruins with some interesting sculpture of the Olmec and Maya cultures, and since 2023 a . Take a microbus to El Asintal, and either find further transport there, or walk along the road to the ruins (about 2 miles/3 km). There is a site museum and small zoo. Museum is about 1 km south of the ruins.
Tak'alik Ab'aj is a pre-Columbian archaeological site in Guatemala. It was formerly known as Abaj Takalik; its ancient name may have been Kooja. It is one of several Mesoamerican sites with both Olmec and Maya features. The site flourished in the Preclassic and Classic periods, from the 9th century BC through to at least the 10th century AD, and was an important centre of commerce, trading with Kaminaljuyu and Chocolá. Investigations have revealed that it is one of the largest sites with sculptured monuments on the Pacific coastal plain. Olmec-style sculptures include a possible colossal head, petroglyphs and others. The site has one of the greatest concentrations of Olmec-style sculpture outside of the Gulf of Mexico, and was made a World Heritage Site in 2023 because of its long history of occupation.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Another theme park, kind of trying to be like Jurassic Park, complete with auto tour, but minus the real dinosaurs.
Kind of a Mayan theme park, but with replicas of landmarks from other parts of the world as well, plus a slough of rollercoasters and rides. Across the road you'll find an elaborate water park called Xocomil (IRTRA Retalhuleu), then, if that's enough, a km or so from that is another theme park, this one more adventure/nature-oriented, called Parque De Aventura Xejuyup. It's a bit like Orlando, Florida around here. There are on-site rooms, cabins and restaurants. If staying overnight, it is much cheaper to leave the parks and eat in one of the restaurants along the highway. Buses between Retalhuleu and Quetzaltenango pass the entrances to the parks.
Coffee farmstead with Santa Maria volcano in the background. You can take tours.
tiered waterfall in rainforest type setting
Pacific beach. Direct bus from Retalhuleu. Dark sand beach.
Pacific beach. Take the bus from Retalhuleu to Mazatenango and get off at Cuyotenango junction - then take a bus from there to Tulate. Dark sand beach.