Iximché

Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala is Iximché, the capital of the Mayan kingdom from 1470 to 1524. Over 160 structures can be explored at this site, including castles, towers, and homes. Mayan rituals are also done by indigenous Guatemalans on special occasions, bringing Mayan culture to life.

Tikal

Heading to the northern rainforests of the country, you will find Tikal, a remote site where an abandoned city was discovered by Europeans after being led there in the mid-1800s. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, several temples, pyramids, and pieces of artwork are immaculately preserved here.

Zaculeu

Another incredible place that is located in the Western Highlands is Zaculeu. Located on the side of a hill in the outskirts of the modern city of Huehueteco, you’ll find preserved pyramids and temples here along with a museum.

The post Guatemala’s Most Impressive Mayan Ruins appeared first on Traveler Master.

Joya de Cerén

This archaeological site in La Libertad department is often referred to as the “Pompeii of the Americas” thanks to its incredible backstory. It features the ruins of a Mayan farming village that was buried in the eruption of the Loma Caldera volcano.

San Andrés

A pre-Columbian site that dates back to 900 BCE, San Andrés is believed to have been the capital of a Maya polity in the valley of Zapotitán for several centuries. During your visit to this archeological site, you can climb the pyramids, see the indigo fields, and visit the site museum.

Tazumal

Tazumal is another Pre-Columbian Mayan city in El Salvador with a mysterious past. Metal artifacts found on its grounds date back all the way back to the 8th century AD, making them some of the earliest metal artifacts excavated in this part of the world.

The post Discover the Mayan Ruins of El Salvador appeared first on Traveler Master.

Its Pyramid Has 365 Steps

The main attraction of Chichen Itza is its “El Castillo” pyramid, a former Maya temple that rises 98 feet above the ground. While you cannot climb to the top of it anymore due to the need to secure its structural integrity, it has 365 steps that lead to the top, a symbol for one of every one of the days of the year.

The True Meaning of Its Name

While Chichen Itza is a world-famous name, many people do not know what exactly it means. The name comes from the Mayan language and means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.” It was said that an underground spring known as Itza, a powerful place in the Mayan underworld, was located under the pyramid.

Abandoned for 100 Years

Chichen Itza was an important center and the home of a settlement with numerous residents for hundreds of years, but did you know that it was actually vacated in the 9th and 10th centuries for about 100 years thanks to a severe drought that struck the region? Fortunately, it was brought back to use around 1000 AD after the water supply was restored.

The post 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Chichen Itza appeared first on Traveler Master.

Iximché

Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala is Iximché, the capital of the Mayan kingdom from 1470 to 1524. Over 160 structures can be explored at this site, including castles, towers, and homes. Mayan rituals are also done by indigenous Guatemalans on special occasions, bringing Mayan culture to life.

Tikal

Heading to the northern rainforests of the country, you will find Tikal, a remote site where an abandoned city was discovered by Europeans after being led there in the mid-1800s. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, several temples, pyramids, and pieces of artwork are immaculately preserved here.

Zaculeu

Another incredible place that is located in the Western Highlands is Zaculeu. Located on the side of a hill in the outskirts of the modern city of Huehueteco, you’ll find preserved pyramids and temples here along with a museum.

The post Guatemala’s Most Impressive Mayan Ruins appeared first on Traveler Master.

Joya de Cerén

This archaeological site in La Libertad department is often referred to as the “Pompeii of the Americas” thanks to its incredible backstory. It features the ruins of a Mayan farming village that was buried in the eruption of the Loma Caldera volcano.

San Andrés

A pre-Columbian site that dates back to 900 BCE, San Andrés is believed to have been the capital of a Maya polity in the valley of Zapotitán for several centuries. During your visit to this archeological site, you can climb the pyramids, see the indigo fields, and visit the site museum.

Tazumal

Tazumal is another Pre-Columbian Mayan city in El Salvador with a mysterious past. Metal artifacts found on its grounds date back all the way back to the 8th century AD, making them some of the earliest metal artifacts excavated in this part of the world.

The post Discover the Mayan Ruins of El Salvador appeared first on Traveler Master.

Its Pyramid Has 365 Steps

The main attraction of Chichen Itza is its “El Castillo” pyramid, a former Maya temple that rises 98 feet above the ground. While you cannot climb to the top of it anymore due to the need to secure its structural integrity, it has 365 steps that lead to the top, a symbol for one of every one of the days of the year.

The True Meaning of Its Name

While Chichen Itza is a world-famous name, many people do not know what exactly it means. The name comes from the Mayan language and means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.” It was said that an underground spring known as Itza, a powerful place in the Mayan underworld, was located under the pyramid.

Abandoned for 100 Years

Chichen Itza was an important center and the home of a settlement with numerous residents for hundreds of years, but did you know that it was actually vacated in the 9th and 10th centuries for about 100 years thanks to a severe drought that struck the region? Fortunately, it was brought back to use around 1000 AD after the water supply was restored.

The post 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Chichen Itza appeared first on Traveler Master.