Tikal (originally known as Mutul) spans over 6 square miles, had around 100,000 inhabitants, and has structures dating back to as far as 900 B.C.

Tikal dominated much of the Maya region politically, economically, and militarily, while interacting with areas throughout Mesoamerica, most notably Teotihuacan in Mexico.

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Tikal’s most famous temple is the Jaguar Temple (Temple I), but the largest is temple IV which has breathtaking views of the region, and is still being excavated.

Yaxhá (“Green Water” in Mayan) is a pre-classic archaeological site in the Petén region of Guatemala. Yaxhá is one of the largest Mayan sites in Guatemala with several complexes excavated, but many more are still yet to be uncovered. Although thousands visit Tikal daily, only an average of 14 visitors a day come to Yaxhá.

The highest point of Yaxhá is the Templo de los Manos Rojas, from which you can see splendid views of the Petén region and Laguna Yaxhá.

The North Acropolis includes a plaza which contains three tall temples with unparalleled views of the surrounding rain forest and lakes.

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One of the most interesting aspects to this site is it’s massive water canal which was built to collect rainfall and feed the site through a system of aqueducts.

Semana Santa, or “Holy Week”, dates back to the 16th century, and is by far the most colorful and fascinating time in Antigua Guatemala. Tens of thousands of visitors come from all over the world to watch the processions and other religious festivities.

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The centerpiece of each procession is a large wooden float depicting a religious scene. The floats, which are carried through the streets of Antigua for up to eight hours, are lavishly decorated and weigh several thousand pounds.

Residents along the route of the processions create elaborate alfombras (carpets) of pine needles, flowers and colored sawdust in the street for the processions to walk over.

The Resplendent Quetzal is a very rare bird that can be found from the Southern part of Mexico to Panama. March and April is their mating season, and the cloud forest of Costa Rica gives the perfect opportunity to see them.

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The male is the most beautiful, with a very long tail, a yellow beak, and a wild “affro”.

Interesting Fact: From the staircases of the Pyramid of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza in Mexico, handclaps evoke chirped echoes that some say is the primary call of the Quetzal.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding tropical wildlife refuges in the Americas. The reason it is called a “Cloud” forest rather than a “Rain” forest is because of it’s altitude, it’s climate, and because the clouds go directly through the forest.

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This area is extremely rich with birds, insects, butterflies, and thousands of different types of plants.

Below are some photos of some Costa Rican wildlife, including monkeys, birds, butterflies, and if you look really hard, you may be able to spot a Praying Mantis.

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After a long day of hiking, paddling, or sight-seeing, nothing is better than a nice dip in some hot springs, and none is better than Baldi Hot Springs. With 25 pools, and 12 different temperatures varying from mild to extremely hot, this is the largest and most majestic hot springs I’ve had the pleasure to enjoy. Heated from nearby Arenal volcano, Baldi Hot Springs Resort also includes beautiful tropical gardens which surround the pools, as well as a natural spa.

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