Explore one of the least-known but nevertheless impressive Mayan ruins in Guatemala. Iximche was the capital of the Kaqchikel Maya from 1470 until 1524 when the Spanish arrived and proclaimed the site as their capital. Recognized as a Guatemalan National Monument, Iximche sits in the Central Guatemalan Highlands at an elevation of around 7,4723 feet. The two-and-a-half-hour drive north takes you through a landscape of countryside and cities. A friendly and knowledgeable guide will lead you around the ancient well-planned urban center that features six plazas and over 170 structures including pyramids and ball courts. It's believed that Iximché was primarily used for religious rituals, and some Mayans still use it for this today (if a ceremony is held during your visit, you can observe from a distance and is not part of a tourist attraction). Before returning to the pier, you'll relax with a tasty lunch.