Caracol in southern Belize was one of the Mayan world’s most dominant cities, and is accordingly the country’s largest Mayan archaeological site. But it’s also the most difficult to reach, so most visitors
Xunantunich is one of Belize’s best archaeological sites, and it’s also one of the easiest and cheapest to reach. Like many Mayan sites in Belize, the Xunantunich ruins are comprised of just a
Inhabited from around 200 BC to 900 AD, Altun Ha would reach its zenith around 500-600 AD. And though it was likely just a medium-sized city in its day, the Altun Ha ruins are now one
Lamanai was one of the longest continually inhabited cities of the Mayan world. And its three grand pyramids reveal how important it must’ve been in its prime. Located in central Belize, most people
Guachimontones, reachable as a day trip from Guadalajara, is the state of Jalisco’s flagship archaeological site. It’s most known for its unique round pyramid (itself known as a ‘guachimontón’), of which there are
Situated within the suburb of the same name, Tenayuca is considered to be the best-preserved Aztec temple, as it was one of the few that the Spanish never touched. Despite being accessible via Mexico
Located in the El Pueblito district of Querétaro is one of Mexico’s largest – yet most obscure – ancient pyramids. Just a quick Uber ride away from the city center, the El Cerrito
Ask most people what the largest pyramid in the world is, and they’ll likely tell you the Great Pyramid of Giza. Narrow it down to Mexico, and you might hear Teotihuacan’s Pyramid of
Considered the first great city of the Valley of Mexico, Cuicuilco even predates the foundation of Teotihuacan. But no, you don’t have to travel to some small, obscure village to find its remains. The
The overlooked ruins of Comalcalco in Tabasco state are remarkable for a couple of reasons. Not only did they mark the very western edge of the Mayan civilization, but Comalcalco is the only
Overlooking the Valley of Ocosingo in the state of Chiapas is one of Mesoamerica’s largest and most unique structures. The Toniná Pyramid consists of seven tiers, many of which are home to temples, palaces
While millions of international tourists flock to Quintana Roo each year, the state remains home to hidden gems that fall well under the radar. In Quintana Roo’s south, right near the border with
Despite being one of the most powerful Mayan cities in history, Calakmul only attracts a fraction of the attention of sites like Chichén Itzá. Located deep in the jungle about two hours by
Deep in the jungle, about 50 km southeast of Campeche, lies the once-mighty city of Edzná, one of Mexico’s most under-appreciated Mayan ruins. Known for its unique five-story pyramid, the site is not
Located 62 km south of Mérida, Uxmal is one of Mexico’s most outstanding archaeological sites. Not only are its structures monumental in scale, but many are adorned with some of the most beautiful
Mexico is full of fascinating archaeological sites, while the country is home to dozens of charming towns designated by the government as Pueblo Mágicos (Magic Towns). But there’s no place quite like Izamal,
As crowded as it can get, a visit to Chichén Itzá quickly reveals why the ancient Mayan site is so popular. As the most dominant city in the Yucatán throughout the Early Postclassic period
Situated 42 km northwest of Tulum, Cobá, known for its towering pyramids, was once the prominent city-state of the eastern Yucatán Peninsula. And today, visiting the Cobá ruins is a must for those basing themselves in
The so-called Bosnian Pyramid, located in the town of Visoko, is one of Bosnia & Herzegovina’s most enigmatic yet controversial destinations. But regardless of your thoughts on the subject, there’s no denying that
The ancient Egyptians built over a hundred pyramids, with over 30 of them belonging to pharaohs. But most people only know just three. And while one would think that the iconic pyramids of
The Middle Kingdom pyramids of El Lahun and Hawara aren’t on most travelers’ radars. In fact, the whole Middle Kingdom period (1975-1640 BC) itself often gets largely ignored. The era hasn’t left us
The lost pyramid of Meidum is well off the beaten path for most tourists. And as it appears today, it hardly even resembles a pyramid at all. But this was possibly Egypt’s first-ever
The pyramid field of Abu Sir is situated in the desert between Giza and Saqqara, right next to the modern village of the same name. The Abu Sir pyramids are synonymous with the
So many aspects of the Giza Plateau are shrouded in mystery. The 4th Dynasty pyramids represent the apex of Egyptian engineering. But they were built quite early on in Egypt’s history. For the next
In between Djoser’s Step Pyramid and the Great Pyramid of Giza, a king named Sneferu made a name for himself as Egypt’s greatest ever pyramid builder. Snefuru, who took the throne in 2575
Saqqara is, without a doubt, one of the most fascinating and important archaeological sites on the entire planet. But being just a short drive away from the Giza Plateau – arguably the world’s most
It’s widely regarded as the world’s very first pyramid. And, for that matter, the first-ever major stone structure. And now, over 4600 years after its construction, Saqqara’s Step Pyramid continues to make headlines.
Many Americans are shocked to learn that their country is home to an ancient pyramid that stands as tall as 100 feet. Mysteriously, the fascinating history of Cahokia and its Monks Mound pyramid
Between the abandonment of Teotihuacan and the emergence of the Aztec Empire, central Mexico was dominated by another powerful group: the Toltecs. But we still know relatively little about them. The Aztecs sung
Two thousand years after they were built, the pyramids of Teotihuacan remain among the most awe-inspiring and mysterious structures in the Americas. In the following Teotihuacan guide, we’ll be covering the history and