32 Hidden Filming Locations Where Movie Magic Was Made

11. Tikal, Guatemala – The Ancient Star Wars Rebel Base

Deep in the heart of Guatemala’s dense jungle lies Tikal, an ancient Mayan city whose towering temples and overgrown ruins provided the perfect setting for the Rebel Alliance base in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). While George Lucas’ galaxy far, far away may have been a work of fiction, Tikal's majestic pyramids and thick rainforest canopy made it an ideal stand-in for the rebel hideout on Yavin 4. The iconic moment where the Millennium Falcon lands at the base, with massive stone pyramids looming in the background, remains one of the most memorable shots in the franchise’s history. Tikal was once a thriving center of the Mayan civilization, with structures dating back to the 4th century BCE. Today, its ruins stand as a testament to both human ingenuity and the unstoppable power of nature, as the jungle slowly reclaims what was once a bustling metropolis. Visitors can walk the same paths as both ancient Mayan rulers and Star Wars heroes, experiencing firsthand the sense of mystery and adventure that makes Tikal one of the most breathtaking filming locations in the world.