North of Guatemala City lay the Tikal Ruins, the site of what was once a cultural Mecca of ancient times. The great dynasties of Tikal included some of the most famed of kings as well as several queens too.

In 1979, Tikal National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for the many offerings that it gave to the world. The technology, the architecture, the very atmosphere are the best reasons that Tikal ruins should be on your list of places to visit in Mayan territory.

Where the black rocky cliffs, the stone outcroppings meet the shock of the deep turquoise seas, the Tulum ruins of the Mayan culture stand in stark relief.The picture that they present against the white sand beaches, the black rocks, the lush green palms will inspire a sense of reverence.

One of the most fascinating and easily accessible of the Mayan Ruins, the Tulum ruins are well worth a trip to visit.

Among the grand Mayan ruins that are housed in the Yucatan area Palenque ranks easily in the top of the "must see" category. Easily competing with Chichen Itza and Tikal simply for the Mayan temples and the architectural beauties along the Palenque ruins provide a non-stop trip through history and culture for those who take the time to go and visit.

Somewhat off the beaten path, the Palenque ruins are about 650 kilometers from the beaches and white sands of the Riviera Maya, but makes for a reasonable overnight trip for those who would like to experience history as well as some sunshine.

The Mexican Institute of Anthropology and History has classified over 300 Mayan caves in the Puuc Region of Yucatan Mexico.

More than 300 caves and cenotes, of an estimated 2 thousand existing caves in the Puuc region of Yucatan, Mexico, have been registered by the Mexican Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). These are spaces in which archaeological remains have been found associated with household activities and rituals of the ancient Mayan culture. The Puuc region stretches along the southern and southeastern part of Yucatan state, and has archaeological sites such as Uxmal, Chacmultún and Oxkintok.

How does one differentiate between “Mayan Temples” and “Mayan Ruins”? Temples and Ruins in modern language have always been mistaken for each other. But in fact, temples are specific structures within a collection of ruins:a part of a whole. Temples where considered the sacred structures where the Kings made important decisions, politicos and philosophers congregated, and structures that were built as homage for the gods.

Notable Mayan Temples include the Temple of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza, Temple I in Tikal, the Temple of Inscriptions in Palenque, and the Coba Temple in Coba. These temples had distinct functions and applications that, contrary to popular belief, had little to do with tombs and religious ceremony. The following is an account of the function of temples to shed light on the difference between Mayan ruins and Temples.

The Mayan Jungle, a perfect destination for adventure travel with her unique nature and culture.

In 1996 I first came in touch with the jungle. Traveling through Central America, our adventure travel had taken me and two friends from Costa Rica to Guatemala. Arriving to Guatemala I decided to stay there and live in a small village in the middle of the jungle. Together with five Guatemalans I ran an ecological camping near Lake Petén Itzá. What else could I ask for?