Seibal, somewhat different Mayan ruins in El Peten, Guatemala.

Seibal is where the collapse of Mayan civilization is clearly defined. Harvard University’s Peabody Museum has published multiple volumes which describe these final decades of Classic Maya culture. Harvard archaeologists invested many seasons uncovering the secrets of the rise and fall of Seibal. If you are interested in Mayan archaeology, Seibal is definitely a place to visit.

Seibal (spelled Ceibal) is reached from Sayaxche. The road is paved up to the turn off. The turn off can be muddy at times of the year with lots of rain. Or you can go up the Rio de la Pasion, but then you have to hike up a long steep hill. If it’s rainy, this is a slippery undertaking, as well as being a tough climb for anyone short on breath or in untrained physical (un)condition.

Several ballcourts add to the value of visiting and learning about Seibal.

First posted Jan 2007.