APRIL 2011 FEATURE
Mundo Maya Update

The Mayan world encompasses a stunning array of cultural and natural richness, offering highly sought-after routes that can be tailored to the most particular tastes and preferences of any visitor. Cultural experiences found nowhere else can be easily paired with some of the world’s top beach, jungle, volcano and colonial destinations for a limitless supply of adventure.

Mexican Treasures — Contributed by Lisa Loverro
Filled with an abundance of archeological sites, Mexico is the ultimate playground for any history buff. While the Mayan ruins are the most well known, there’s a variety of other sites just as awe-inspiring. Here’s a rundown of some of our favorites to visit.
The Yucatan peninsula, easily accessible from the United States with direct flights into Cancun, holds a majority of the Mayan Ruins; namely Tulum, Coba and Chichen Itza. Tulum—the closest to Cancun and Playa del Carmen—is one of the most photogenic, as its location is perfectly situated on the shores of the Caribbean. Small in size, the ruin will take a visitor only about 45 minutes to view. The ruins of Tulum have been roped off and are prohibited to climbers so be aware of this when sending clients.
Approximately 30 miles northwest of Tulum lie the much lesser known ruins of Coba. Strikingly beautiful and set within the jungle, their layout is spread across many miles, requiring an entire afternoon to cover. The ruins sit around many lakes and a beautiful forest with Howler monkeys lurking about in the trees, giving a “Jurassic Park” feel to the area. It’s a great place to send clients during the day, as the trees provide substantial cover from the hot, Mexican sun.
Since recently being named one of the new Seven Wonder of the World, Chichen Itza is the most famous of all Mayan sites on the Yucatan Peninsula. If your clients only have time to visit one site, this is it. There are many day trips available from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. El Castillo, the most famous structure at Chichen Itza, is a square-based, stepped pyramid that is approximately 75 feet tall. Unlike Tulum, most structures here are accessible for climbers, but be aware that extremely large crowds are an everyday occurrence.
Moving over to Mexico City, the ruins of Teotihuacan are located approximately 30 miles northeast of the city and a popular day trip. There is little known about this site, whose name translates to “place where gods were born.” The original builders of this site are said to have constructed the city around 300 BC, around which time it became the epicenter of culture and commerce for ancient Mesoamerica. Its largest structures are the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramid of the Sun (which is the third-largest in the world).
In the city of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, Monte Alban is the ancient capital of the Zapotecs. Constructed in approximately 500 BC, it is thought to have been a political and economic center for the surrounding communities. Monte Alban is an ideal half-day trip outside of Oaxaca city as it’s only about a 20-minute scenic drive up through the mountain. Crowds here are few as tourism to the area is not as popular as in the Yucatan, providing a peaceful and spiritual experience.

Belize’s Cultural Routes
As one of the last unspoiled places on earth, Belize offers travelers the richly rewarding authenticity they seek in a Caribbean getaway. With direct flights from the U.S. and Canada, this tropical paradise is nestled between Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. For generations, the English-speaking people of Belize have demonstrated a commitment to preserving the country’s unique charms. Belize offers a land rich in natural beauty and steep in the history and culture of its Maya past. Renowned for having the second largest barrier reef in the world, Belize’s pristine waters, exotic marine and wildlife, lush unspoiled landscapes and superb diving truly make it Mother Nature’s Best Kept Secret. For more information on how you can be one with Belize, visit www.travelbelize.org
Maya 2012 celebrations are already underway, with recent festivities including Maya Day and La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge this past March. Maya Day, held in Blue Creek Village, was the exciting culmination to a week-long celebration marked by ceremonial events and competitions like the Fire Ball Game and Torch Run. The 175-mile river challenge started in San Ignacio and ended in Belize City, running east along the Belize Old River and the scenic backdrop of the Maya Mountains. This was one a major trade route for the Maya and continues to offer tourists access to the important sites of Xunantunich, El Pilar, Cahal Pech and Altun Ha, which line its banks. It is estimated that there are thousands of Maya Ruins in Belize, though many are still waiting to be discovered and excavated. During the Classic period of 250 AD to 900 AD, Belize’s Maya population is thought to have exceeded one million people.

Guatemala’s Living Legacy
Guatemala continues to be a treasure trove for archaeology and anthropological exploration, with ancient relics numbering in the thousands and a vibrant population that maintains a strong bond to its ancient past. There are 22 distinct languages still thriving today, and for travelers wanting to reach out and interact with a living piece of history, this is the place.
The Highlands offer a blend of ancient tradition, colorful marketplaces and vivid natural beauty, set in the spectacular mountain landscapes that have given fame to destinations like Lake Atitlán and Chichicastenango.
Just across the border from Belize, the Department of El Petén is home to one of the most stunning archeological sites of pre-Colombian Maya civilization in Tikal. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal National Park holds at least 26 ancient cities and some 3,000 architectural structures, including Yaxha, Ceibal, Aguateca, San Bartolo and the largest ancient city of the Maya world, el Mirador.
For more information go to www.visitguatemala.com

Despite the fact that many of the World Heritage Sites found in Central America belong in the category of pre-Hispanic cities and landmarks, the overwhelming majority of these were not recognized on the official list until the mid-1990’s. Twenty-two years after the 1972 convention which outlined the kind of natural and cultural sites that fit the bill for inscription on the World Heritage List, UNESCO recognized that there was a strong bias towards developed European countries, and the committee launched what it called a Global Strategy for a Representative, Balanced and Credible World Heritage List. This Global Strategy called for a new vision and definition of heritage, to recognize and protect all sites that represented “outstanding demonstrations of human coexistence with the land as well as human interactions, cultural coexistence, spirituality and creative expression.”

Mexico’s Cultural Routes
Mexico tops the list with the largest number of designated World Heritage Sites (31) in the Americas and the fifth largest in the world. Many of these are made up of archeological monuments and pre-colonial cities like Chichén Itzá and Teotihuacan that stand today as living testaments to the Maya civilization that flourished here from the Pre-Classic period until the late 17th century. Even today, the Maya and their descendents maintain sizable populations and through the work of UNESCO and international safeguarding campaigns, their living traditions and mathematically perfect pyramids have been carefully preserved and made accessible to tourists along a well-established route that stretches from the Yucatán peninsula down to the Guatemalan border.
Another important route that was just inscribed in 2010 is the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. Also known as the Silver Route, the Camino Real became one of the most important trade routes for transporting silver extracted from the mines of Zacatecas, Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí to the Spanish crown. There are five World Heritage cities and a host of other sites along this route, which stretches from Mexico City to Santa Fe, that illustrate the Spanish exploitation of silver and the impact that this had on outlying rural and urban landscapes.
The Agave Landscape, stretching between the valley of the Rio Grande and the foothills of the Tequila Volcano, represents another feat of cultural preservation that has had a direct impact on promoting tourism. Visitors starting in Tequila, Jalisco can follow a route that will take them through an expansive landscape of blue agave where they can visit some of the ancient distilleries, experience the distilling process firsthand, and visit the bustling cities and quiet port towns that make up the agave culture that permeates this country’s national identity. For more information on Mexico’s popular tourist routes, visit the Mexico Tourism Board at www.visitmexico.com
Belize’s Exceptional Diversity

The Belize Barrier Reef ranks as one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, occupying roughly 186 miles of a continuous barrier reef that extends all the way up to the Yucatán peninsula and down to Honduras, making it the second largest after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The diversity of marine life that can be found here is matched by the diversity of Belize’s coastal land inhabitants, who represent a fascinating cross-section of native and immigrant cultures lured to the bounty of these coastal atolls and cayes. Popular destinations like San Pedro and Placencia make this coastal region the top draw for tourists wishing to dive, snorkel, kayak or just spread out on the beach. To find out more about Belize, visit the Belize Tourism Board at www.travelbelize.org

Guatemala’s National Treasures
Though none of Belize’s Maya archeological sites have yet made the World Heritage List, travelers have only to cross the border into Guatemala’s department of El Petén to witness Tikal, one of the largest archeological sites of pre-Colombian Maya civilization. Tikal National Park is not only home to this ancient city—which includes some 3,000 architectural structures—it also contains the largest unspoiled area of tropical rainforest in Central America. For more information on travel to Guatemala, visit INGUAT at www.visitguatemala.com

Live The Dream In Central America

By Ryley Hartt

From the black volcanic beaches of the Pacific to the sparkling waters of the Caribbean, adventure can be found lurking around every corner. From exploring the largest Mayan archaeological site to swimming with the largest living fish known to man, here are a few dream adventures you can’t live without.
Archaeological Treasures
Where to start: Mundo Maya International Airport, also called Flores International Airport, is located just outside of Flores, the capital of Guatemala's vast but sparsely-populated northern department. Renowned for its archaeological wealth and abundant nature reserves, Petén serves as the lung of the region and the heart of the Mayan world.
Flores is a charming town set on an island that is surrounded on all sides by Petén Itzá Lake and linked to the town of Santa Elena by a causeway. Between these two, travelers have a good base for exploring the main attractions around Petén.  
Where to go: The UNESCO recognized Maya Biosphere Reserve represents one of the largest areas of tropical forest north of the Amazon and is home to some of the most impressive treasures of Mayan civilization. The reserve has seven core areas with four national parks and three wildlife reserves which contain astonishing ecological diversity for eco and adventure travelers alike.
Tikal is an absolute must-see, located one hour north of Flores. Often referred to as the crown jewel of the Mayan world, Tikal brings 180,000 national and international tourists each year. Evidence of human population dates back to 700 BC and it is thought that that civilization flourished up to 900 AD. Tikal’s highest structure, Temple IV, stands almost 230 feet tall.  The 4,000 year-old city of Uaxactún houses an ancient astronomical observatory and is considered to be the oldest city of its kind. A permit, which can be obtained from the administration office in Tikal, is required to visit.
The Mirador Basin, in the northern part of the Reserve, contains numerous interconnected Mayan cities, the largest (El Mirador) dating from the preclassic Mayan period. While El Mirador surpasses even Tikal in scale, it is still under development and not yet accessible by road. In 2008, Guatemalan president Alvaro Colom announced a plan to develop mass ecotourism in the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Part of the Cuatro Balam plan involves bringing transport to El Mirador from the town of Carmelita on a small tourist rail. For now, the best way to reach El Mirador is a two-day trek from Carmelita on horseback.
Beaches and Cayes
Where to start: For the best access to the reef, most visitors arrive in Belize City and take a 15-minute connecting flight to San Pedro in Ambergris Caye. Further south, Placencia is less overtly developed and is a favorite with those who wish to enjoy the outdoors or just relax on a quiet beach.
Honduras has also consistently ranked among the world’s top dive destinations and its Bay Islands are hugely popular with divers. Roatán, located between the islands of Útila and Guanaja, is the largest of the three and offers direct air service from the U.S.
Guatemala has its own Caribbean coast, centered around the town of Livingston. Here visitors can raft or kayak on the Rio Dulce that feeds into the Caribbean from Lake Izabal. Izabal’s lush nature reserves make it an ideal habitat for all sorts of wildlife, and the mix of Garifuna and Mayan culture makes it a magical place for tourists.
Where to go: Belize is home to the world’s second largest barrier reef, which lies off the windward side of Ambergris Caye. There are also three separate atoll reefs further east, and a fourth can be found further north in Mexican waters. The aptly-named Shark Ray Alley is just a quick boat ride from San Pedro, and snorkelers are likely to encounter six-foot eagle rays, nurse sharks, barracuda and sea turtles.
Belize's Gladden Spit Marine Reserve, off the coast of Placencia, is a haven for sea-kayakers and, during the full moons in April and May, also for whale sharks.
Divers who are truly keen on climbing in the water with these 15-ton, tractor trailer-sized fish should pull out a map and locate Isla Holbox, just off the tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Though the island doesn’t get nearly the same traffic volume as neighboring Cancún, it does seem to get a lot of repeat visitors, namely the hundreds of whale sharks who come here every year to feed on plankton blooms.
It is even possible to find tour operators who offer money-back guarantees on snorkeling encounters between June and August.
Immerse Yourself
Where to start: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua is one of the most beautifully preserved colonial towns inLatin America, with colored  houses  and  cobblestone  streets  in  a  stunning  volcanic mountain  setting. In  addition  to  its  colonial  ruins and world-famous Holy Week celebrations,  Antigua is a shopping mecca and gateway to Guatemala’s rich cultural heritage and top recreational activities. 
Where to go: During Holy Week, thousands converge on Antigua for a weeklong reenactment of the Easter story full of vivid color and pageantry. Throughout the rest of the year, Antigua makes an excellent base for exploring nearby coffee plantations, volcanoes and the magnificent Lake Atitlán. Language schools are abundant and offer great opportunities to become immersed in the language and culture through classes, home-stays and recreational trips. The APPE School (www.appeschool.com) will arrange a home-stay and 20 hours of instruction for just $250 per week.
For an altogether different immersion, visitors must take the opportunity to trek into Pacaya Volcano. The hike to the 8,373-foot summit takes about 2.5 hours and brings visitors face to face with a crater that has been almost continuously active since 1965.
The Highlands of Guatemala offer up an impressive combo of natural beauty and tradition, and those in search of living Mayan culture should look no further than the colorful Thursday and Sunday market in Chichicastenango or Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlán.
For more information, visit the Guatemalan Tourism Commission at www.visitguatemala.com, the Belize Tourism Board at www.travelbelize.org and the Mexican Tourist Office at www.visitmexico.com.