Hidden within Guatemala’s El Peten jungle is Tikal, the largest ruined city of the Maya Classic Period. The site encompasses at least 3,000 buildings including temples that loom above the forest. It consists of nine groups of courts and plazas built on hills above surrounding swamps, all interconnected by bridges and causeways. Before its decline, Tikal was home to an estimated 100,000 Maya. In 1979, Tikal and its surrounding park [...]
Throughout Mexico, there are stunning reminders of the grand civilizations that one dominated the region — incredible ancient cities of the Maya, Aztecs, Toltecs, Zapotecs and more are found throughout the landscape. Some, like the Yucatan’s Chichen Itza, are well excavated and well known throughout the world; each year it beckons thousands of visitors to explore. But there are several other sites of equal interest and intrigue, and countless more [...]
Traveler, Elizabeth Coughlan, shares some of her experiences exploring the Actun Tunichil Muknal (or ATM) cave in Belize. Learn a little about the logistics, the how-tos and what to expect. I can tell you from personal experience, you can prepare all you want for this tour, but there is no way to predict what the journey to this archaeological treasure will mean to you. I’ll try [...]
