Maya Archives - Planet Whitley

The Yucatán Peninsula’s ancient Maya trail: Discovering Mexico’s lost civilisation

Discovering the secrets of the ancient Maya civilisation across Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. From Tulum's coastal fortress to Chichén Itzá's famous pyramid and the hidden jungle temples of Ek Balam, the remarkable archaeological sites that reveal one of the world's greatest ancient cultures. Tulum: Where iguanas…

Maya, Mexico, Yucatan

Templo I from the top of Templo II at Tikal, Guatemala.

Tikal, Guatemala: The ancient Mayan city you’ve seen in Star Wars

The jungle-covered ancient Mayan city of Tikal has appeared in a Bond film and Star Wars. Climbing the temples is an awe-inspiring experience. The howler monkeys of the Guatemalan jungle The roars cry out over the thick Central American jungle. It’s all very Jurassic Park.…

Central America, Guatemala, Maya

Can I climb Temple IV at Tikal, Guatemala?

Discover which temples you can and can’t climb at Tikal – and which one offers the best views. The greatest Mayan site? Tikal in the Petén department of Guatemala is perhaps the most evocative of the ancient Mayan sites in Central America. Its tall, pyramid-style…

Central America, Guatemala, Maya, temples

Why the scarlet macaw has returned to the ruins of Copán, Honduras

A breeding programme is bringing back the scarlet macaw – once held sacred by the ancient Maya – back to the Copán ruins in Honduras. To skip the story and book your Copán tour, head here. Mayan Ball Game in Copán, Honduras Amid the ancient…

Central America, Honduras, Maya, wildlife

Maximón in Santiago de Atitlán, Guatemala.

Meeting Maximón – Guatemala’s rogue saint

In Santiago de Atitlán, Guatemala, there’s a saint that most definitely doesn’t meet with the Catholic Church’s approval. To skip the article and discover a wide range of tours and experiences in Guatemala, head this way. I’m led down a scrappy alleyway in Santiago de…

Central America, Guatemala, Maya, religion