Maya Archives

Ek Balam guide: ticket prices, hours and what to see

Updated in September 2026, this Ek Balam guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see. Ek Balam is a Maya archaeological site in Yucatán, Mexico, whose name means "dark jaguar" or "star jaguar" in Yucatec Maya. The federal INAH admission…

Xlapak guide: ticket prices, hours and what to see

Updated in September 2026, this Xlapak guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see. Xlapak is a small Maya archaeological site on Yucatán's Ruta Puuc, Mexico, whose name means "old walls" in the Maya language. The site's official listing, last…

Museo Popol Vuh, Guatemala City: Visitor guide with ticket prices, hours and must-know tips

The Museo Popol Vuh is a private archaeology and colonial art museum located on the campus of the Universidad Francisco Marroquín in Guatemala City. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips to assist with trip planning. Updated…

The mighty Mayan ruins of Uxmal, Mexico.

Uxmal ruins, Mexico: Admission, history, and visitor guide (2026)

Explore the monumental Maya city dominating the Puuc region. This 2026 Uzmal ruins guide covers fees, the architectural style, and tips for visiting the Pyramid of the Magician. The first time I saw Uxmal on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, I was struck by the difference from…

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…

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.…

Can I climb Temple IV at Tikal, Guatemala?

Can you still climb Temple IV at Tikal, Guatemala? Discover which Mayan temples you can and can't climb at the ancient site, and where to find the best jungle views. The greatest Mayan site? Tikal in the Petén department of Guatemala is perhaps the most…

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…

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…