13 Days of Central American Splendors

About the destination: Belize is a country on the eastern coast of Central America. This country has a lot to offer, from the lush jungles with exotic plants and animals of inner Belize to the white sand beaches of the islands. Relaxation, outdoor adventure, diving, culture, you can do it all in a week. Belize is famed for its Mayan culture, it has some of the best excavated Mayan temples and cities within Central America. Actun Tunichil Muknal is a Mayan sacrificial burial site near Belmopan, the country’s capital. The site is contained entirely within a cave system. The cave was a sacred site for the Mayans and it contains many examples of pottery, ceramics and stoneware, as well as several sets of human sacrificial remains. Near Belmopan we have the Guanacaste National Park, a tropical forest with a vast array of wild flora and fauna, especially the many tropical birds that inhabit this forest where Roaring Creek flows into the larger Belize River. Belize is a great tourist destination to get away from the hectic city life and get lost in the natural beauty of its surroundings. In Belize time does not matter, just soak in its nature and beaches and relish the simple life.

About the destination: Flores is the capital of the Petén Department, Guatemala's landlocked, northernmost department. The population is 13,700 (2003). Flores is the seat of the municipality of Flores (population 22,600). Its Catedral Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios y San Pablo Itzá is the cathedral episcopal see of the Apostolic Vicariate of El Petén (formerly a territorial prelature). Catedral Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios y San Pablo Itzá The old part of the city is located on an island on Lake Peten Itza, connected to the mainland by a short causeway. On the mainland is the suburb Santa Elena and, to the West, the contiguous municipality of San Benito.

About the destination: Copán is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization located in the Copán Department of western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. The city was located in the extreme southeast of the Mesoamerican cultural region, on the frontier with the Isthmo-Colombian cultural region. The city has a historical record that spans the greater part of the Classic period and has been reconstructed in detail by archaeologists and epigraphers. Las Copán Ruinas are the highlight of Copán. Although quite extensive, they are not as huge as Tikal in Guatemala or Teotihuacan in Mexico, but there is more sculpture here than any other Pre-Columbian city. The ruins are prized for the carved stellae of ancient rulers, and the well preserved hieryoglyphics including the hieryoglyphic stairway. Also in the archeological park is a marvelous Mayan museum (entry $7/person) with a reconstructed temple and fabulous artifacts. It's recommended to be there when it opens at 8AM, as the site gets very hot by mid-day. Hire a guide at the entrance to the ruins for $25 divided between however many people you can collect. Cesar (30s, good accented English) and Antonio (60s, few teeth, excellent English) are recommended if they're around. Besides the ruins, the countryside is attractive. Slow paced local life is quite calm, and farming of corn, beans, coffee, and tobacco is the main vocation.

About the destination: Cancun is a city located on the southeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is a major world-renowned tourist destination, as well as being the seat of the municipality of Benito Juárez. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, and is one of the easternmost points in Mexico. Cancún is located just north of Mexico's Caribbean coast resort band known as the Riviera Maya. Cancun, located in the Yucatan region of Mexico, has many great attractions. Start with the white sand beaches of Cancun City. In the jungles of Yucatan lies one of the largest and best preserved archaeological sites in Mexico, Chichen Itza. The world famous Mayan ruins with thousands of years of history are one of the most visited sites in the world. Cancun is surrounded by spectacular scenery. Isla Mujeres, a small gorgeous island close to Cancun, is simply spectacular. The magical underwater natural pools known as Cenotes are a big draw around the Cancun area. Many have rocky edge formations above them. Outside of Cancun we find Tulum, a unique site where you can go for a swim in turquoise waters and visit the famous ruins of Mayan civilizationCancun has lots to offer. With its mix of tropical beaches, ancient ruins and modern resorts, this area is simply the perfect vacation destination for everyone. Modern Cancun offers wonderful white sand beaches and turquoise sea, great restaurants, lively clubs and activities of every type imaginable.