Central America Back

Tikal is the site of a phenomenal ruined Mayan city, atmospherically located in the dense rainforests of northern Guatemala. Mainly built between the 2nd and 10th Centuries CE, Tikal was one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Mayans - the city-state conquered much of the surrounding area and dominated the economy, politics, military, and culture of the Yucatán peninsular during this time.

Knowledge of the site was never totally lost amongst the native Guatemalans, but Tikal came to the world's attention again when German expeditions were guided there in the 1850s. Tikal is one of the most spectacular and well-understood Mayan ruins due to the amount of artefacts and murals found there - a complete lineage of the dynastic rulers has been constructed from the information discovered there, as well as a detailed history of the complex relationships with rival states such as Teotihuacan, Copán and Caracol.

On a visit there, we are able to explore the old religious centre and even climb up some of the iconic pyramids to get an unrivalled view of the area below!

The world-famous ancient Mayan site of Chichen Itza is one of the major highlights of Central America. The ancient Mayan city, dominated by the iconic El Castillo pyramid, was built between the 8th and 11th Centuries CE and became a major regional capital during this time, dominating political and cultural life in the lowlands of northern Yucatán. It exhibits numerous architectural styles inspired by many different areas of Central America, and is thought to have been the home to one of the most diverse populations in the Mayan world.

Chichen Itza was one of the largest Maya cities, with a relatively dense cluster of well-preserved buildings in the core linked by paved causeways called 'sacbeob'. The colossal pyramid of El Castillo dominates the area known as The Great North Platform - it houses a huge staircase to an upper crypt housing a throne in the shape of a jaguar, painted red and inlaid with eyes and spots of pure jade. The steps up the exterior of the pyramid famously project a serpent-shaped shadow every spring and autumn equinoxes, thought to be a representation of the Mayan feathered serpent-god Kukulkan.

Nearby there is a Great Ball Court, once used to play a unique ancient game similar to basketball but using knees and elbows to strike the ball. Nearby to this is the Sacred Cenote, otherwise known as the 'well of sacrifice', which offered up treasures of jade, copper and gold as well as many human and animal bones when it was excavated. There are many other fantastic areas of the site to be explored, including the Temple of the Warriors and the Group of a Thousand Columns.

In 2007 the phenomenal Mayan site was declared one of the New 7 Wonders of the World after a worldwide vote.

The Cayes of Belize are a group of idyllic islands off the coast in the Caribbean Sea - many of these are a short boat ride away from the mainland, and all are stunning places to visit. One of the most popular cayes to visit is Caye Caulker, a laid-back limestone coral island that measures 8kms from north to south. All the action happens on the south side, where there is a superb mix of bars and restaurants all with that unmistakeable Caribbean charm.

There are many activities available on Caye Caulker, most notably boat, snorkel and scuba diving trips through the startlingly blue waters and incredible coral reefs of the surrounding oceans. You may also choose to explore the islands mangroves by kayak, visit some of the other cayes, or head out on an unforgettable scenic flight over the famous Great Blue Hole.

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Central America's most spectacular spots - stunning sandy beaches between the calm ocean waters and lush rainforests, complete with lots of walking, paddle-boarding, fishing and boating opportunities. There are plenty of animals to spot in the area, such as capuchin monkeys, iguanas, coatis and sloths - the park is a vertiable paradise, and it's possible to find some beautiful secluded beaches despite it being one of Costa Rica's most visited places.

Antigua is the commonly-used name for Antigua Guatemala, the old colonial capital founded in its present location in 1543 with the original name of Santiago de los Caballeros. The delightful historic city boasts a wealth of well-preserved colonial buildings in a Spanish Baroque style, so much so that the whole historical centre has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Antigua is also exquisitely located in the central highlands of Guatemala, surrounded by the towering volcanoes of Fuego, Agua and Acatenango.

Antigua is only a short distance from the modern capital of Guatemala City, and remains the cultural centre of the country - its old buildings and cobbled streets juxtapose wonderfully with its lively mix of Indian markets, indigenous marimba music and many bars and restaurants, creating a fantastic and unforgettable atmosphere. There are also countless optional adventure activities to be enjoyed here, including a possible excursion to the nearby active Pacaya Volcano.