Riviera Maya, Mexico
The eastern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula, along the Caribbean coast, is home to the most expansive ruins of the Mayan civilization. Major excavations include Tulum, Chichen Itza and Coba. The area also offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities in the western hemisphere.
Puuc Route, Mexico
The inland area of the Yucatán Peninsula includes many Mayan ruins along the Puuc Route, including Uxmal, Sayil, Kabah, Xlapak and Labna. Puuc means "hilly country," which makes makes this one of the world's most challenging areas for rainforest mountain hiking and caving.
Chiapas, Mexico
Palenque, in the Mexican area of Chiapas, is known as the most atmospheric and impressive Mayan city. It is located deep within a dense, mountainous jungle area with diverse species of flora and fauna, and provides world-class opportunities for hiking, climbing, and nature photography.
Tikal, Guatemala
The Tikal ruins of Guatemala are notable for their five towering pyramids, over 3,000 structures, and the surrounding rain forest's rich flora and fauna. Organized and independent kayaking tours are readily available in the region to incorporate adventure into a visit to the Mayan ruins.
Caracol, Belize
The ancient city at Caracol supported over 150,000 Mayans during the sixth and seventh centuries. Its ruins are deep in the Chiquibil Forest Reserve, which offers challenging terrain for rainforest hiking and excellent opportunities for bird and butterfly watching. The area is characterized by impressive waterfalls and caverns to explore.
Article Written By Timothy Aldinger
Timothy Aldinger brings 20 years of experience as an instructional design consultant and corporate training strategist in the automotive, environmental, health and insurance industries. His professional writings have been published by Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Corporation, General Motors, Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan and many other major corporations. Aldinger received his Bachelor of Arts in political theory from Michigan State University.
