Best Archaeological Sites In Central America

Central America has a rich cultural history as the cradle of the Mayan civilization, which left traces all over the region. From northern Guatemala south to Panama, there are some amazing sights to see.

No trip would be complete without a visit to the Mayan ruins at Tikal in Guatemala, where a scene from Star Wars was filmed from one of the imposing temples.

If you’ve been bitten by the temple bug, take on the challenging trek to El Mirador near the border with Mexico. It’s a five-day return trip through bug-infested jungle, but it’s worth every second in order to stand atop the largest pyramid in the world, the Danta.

Slightly further east in Belize lies the intriguing site of Caracol. The Sky Palace remains the highest man-made structure in the country at 41 meters high.

Another Mayan city lies in Copan, Honduras. It is particularly famous for its artwork and stone carvings, and the site is inhabited by spectacular red macaws.

Copan Ruinas, Honduras © Rafał Cichawa | Dreamstime

Over in El Salvador, the Joya de Ceren ruins provide a glimpse into the daily life of the Mayans, rather than spectacular architecture. The houses, community sauna and dormitories were perfectly preserved after being buried under volcanic ash.

Moving away from the Mayans, the Huellas de Acahualinca in Nicaragua are 6,000-year-old footprints that provide the earliest evidence of human activity in Central America. They are found in a northern suburb of the Nicaraguan capital, Managua.