From its vibrant colors to its Spanish architecture, Valladolid is easily one of the most fascinating destinations within Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Although this charming colonial city is often overshadowed by nearby attractions such as Chichen Itza and Cancun, it remains one of the last beacons of authenticity in the region. That is to say that Valladolid is not overrun by tourists like many other destinations in southern Mexico. In fact, there aren’t many tourists at all.
Although it may come as a surprise to some, many travelers tend to agree that Guatemala is one of the most fascinating destinations in the Americas. From hiking massive volcanoes to exploring ancient Mayan ruins, there’s certainly no shortage of unique and adventurous activities to keep yourself entertained.
For this article, we worked with various travel bloggers to bring you the 21 best things to do in Guatemala.
From its rich history to its incredible scenery, Tikal National Park is often regarded as one of the greatest locations in the Mayan world. This ancient city is Guatemala’s most famous archaeological site and perhaps the most fascinating destination in the entire country.
To visit Tikal is to take a step back in time to the days of an ancient civilization that predates both the Aztecs and the Incas by over a thousand years. It allows you to witness firsthand the sophistication and grandeur of the Maya that populated this city as well as providing insights into their diverse customs and beliefs.
Out of all the beaches in the world, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Central America & Mexico contain some of the nicest ones. The tropical environment combined with long stretches of pristine coastline make this region a beach lover’s paradise.
For this article, we worked with various travel bloggers to bring you the 17 best beaches in Central America & Mexico.
Imagine visiting a place where every building is painted the exact same shade of yellow.
Now if it seems like such a place couldn’t possibly exist, think again. It does exist and I’m going to tell you all about it.
Izamal is a town in southern Mexico that features yellow buildings, colonial architecture, and ancient Mayan ruins. It’s also home to a picturesque convent that was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1993.
Have you ever seen a beach so pristine that you could hardly believe such a place existed?
Cue the scene for Meads Bay Beach in Anguilla.
This stunning location on Anguilla’s north shore is truly the definition of a Caribbean paradise. Meads Bay features a mixture of soft white sand and cerulean blue water that’s so inviting you might need to be dragged away from the island when it’s time to leave.
Situated less than a mile from the Guatemalan border, Belize’s Xunantunich ruins are truly a testament to the sophistication of the Maya civilization. This ancient city flourished from approximately 600 to 900 AD before falling into decline and eventually being abandoned.
At the height of its power, Xunantunich would have been filled with a diversity of people and occupations. From the ruling elite to the farmers who fed the population to the artists who recorded its history, everyone played an integral role in the development of this ancient city.
Flores is a man-made island in northern Guatemala that boasts vibrant colors, stunning scenery, and a tropical atmosphere. The island is quite popular among backpackers as it’s frequently used as a base for visiting the nearby Mayan ruins of Tikal. While these ruins are incredible, Flores should be treated as more than just a means of getting there.
For one, the island is immensely beautiful. You can walk along cobblestone streets and admire the colorful Spanish architecture that saturates this small utopia. You’ll see that many buildings are made up of rich colors such as tangerine orange, crimson red, and cobalt blue.
Anyone who visits Peru will inevitably pass through Lima at some point or another. Whether you’re flying into or out of the country, odds are that you’ll have a layover in the Peruvian capital. However, Lima is much more than just a transfer point.
On the contrary, the city is home to a vibrant culture, a storied history, and some of the best architecture in Latin America. There’s so much to experience in Lima that you would truly be doing yourself a disservice by skipping it.
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is a diverse area that boasts stunning beaches, lush jungles, ancient Mayan temples, and impressive colonial cities.
While this region has so much to offer, many people are dissuaded from visiting Mexico due to sensationalized stories in the news. Sure they might visit Cancun, which is found within the Yucatan Peninsula, but many tourists find it daunting to travel inland and experience the lesser known destinations in Southern Mexico.