Mayan Ruins of Central America

Tikal, Guatemala

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.

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.

 

Chichen Itza and the Autumnal Equinox, Mexico

I visited Chichen Itza on the Autumnal Equinox to see the shadow of Kukulkan descend from the northern stairway of the Temple of Kukulcan, or El Castillo. The shadow descends only on the equinoxes and encodes many aspects of the Mayan calendar along with the pyramid.

The day was rainy and cloudy and our hopes of seeing the phenomenon were dim, but about 20 minutes before the process was to begin, the clouds parted, and quickly the day turned majestic. It didn’t last long though, because 30 minutes later the clouds returned and blocked out the sun permanently. Being able to see as much as we did though was still a real thrill. Above, you can see a mock image of what it would have looked like if we were able to see the entire process.

There are new excavations being done all around Chichen Itza and it is possible that the entire plaza area may be sitting atop a stucco/concrete foundation. Above you will see pictures of the these excavations, as well as the football court, the King’s throne, and the Observatory.

 

Palenque, Mexico

Palenque is one of the most beautiful sites in all of Mesoamerica. One of the most elaborate tombs discovered in Mexico is located in the Temple Of Inscriptions housing Pakal, shown in the painting of the sarcophagus below.

Some temples and the Howler Monkeys of Palenque. Remember to turn your volume all the way up!

 

Copán, Honduras

 

Yaxhá, Guatemala

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.

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.

 

Tulum, Mexico

Tulum is a Pre-Columbian Mayan archeological site sitting upon the Caribbean, that had a walled city serving as a major port for Cobá. It’s a relatively small site, but one of the most beautiful I’ve seen to date.

 

Cobá, Mexico

Cobá is one of the oldest Mayan cities and predates many other sites in the Yucatán Peninsula. Cobá dates from 600 A.D. to the post-Classic period of the 14th to 15th centuries.

Cobá is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Yucatán , which spreads over 80 square kilometers. The main pyramid, Nohoch Mul (large hill), is over 130 feet tall and is the highest in the peninsula. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to climb Nohoch Mul due to renovations.

 

Ruinas El Rey, Mexico

Ruinas El Rey (The King) is a very small archeological site located in the heart of Cancún’s hotel zone.

Ruinas El Rey is a nice little jewel with very few visitors, which was a perfect change of pace after the chaos and helter-skelter of Chichen Itza.

It’s structures include plazas surrounded by buildings and several platforms that are connected by a long pathway. It also contains a large palace and a small, dilapidated pyramid. The most startling thing about this site is the hundreds of iguanas sunbathing amongst the stones.

 

Iximché, Guatemala

Iximché is in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, and was the capital of the Kaqchikel Maya from 1470 to 1525. Not only was Iximché the last Kaqchikel Maya capital, but it was also the first Spanish capital in Guatemala.