Central America

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One of the smallest areas in size, Central America is surprisingly rich in ancient sacred places and power sites. Technically, Yucatan is in North America, as it is part of Mexico, but since it is so close to Central America, we have included the southern tip of Mexico in this part of the directory.

Chichen Itza is one of the greatest tourist attractions in Mexico. Located in the Yucatan peninsula, this mysterious ceremonial center includes the Temple of Kukulcan, also known as the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (seen at left) as well as the Cenote Sagrado, or Sacred Well, used for human sacrifices. Inside one pyramid is a jaguar statue with green eyes of jade that could only have come from China. Also in Yucatan is Uxmal, the Mayan center containing the legendary Pyramid of the Magician, said to have been built in one night by an enchanted dwarf. Palenque, in Mexico's state of Chiapas, is a magical site in the jungle. One of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the world, Palenque's most famous pyramid is the Temple of Inscriptions, with the Royal Tomb of Pacal, a Mayan priest/king said to have known the secret of space travel. Another site not to be missed is the elaborate complex of temples at Tulum, with dramatic views above the Caribbean Sea, in Quintana Roo.

There are so many ancient Mayan ruins in Belize (formerly British Honduras) that even archaeologists and government officials don't know for sure how many there are. It is estimated that one million people worked for one thousand years to build the remarkable city of Tikal, where at least 3,000 palaces dating back 6,000 years have been found. At Altun Ha are five major temples, honoring the sun, rain, wind, the moon, and the Green Tomb burial site, rich in carved jade. Ix Chel was the home of Mayan healer Don Eligio Panti, and many traditional medicinal plants and herbs are found here. Lubantuum is the site of the archaeological dig where a life-size quartz crystal skull was found in 1924. Neither scientists nor museum experts could determine how, where or why this mysterious artifact was made, but native legends say that it was not made on Earth.

Guatemala's impressive Mayan city of Tikal was at least 2,000 years old when it was mysteriously abandoned about 1,200 years ago. Today's visitors marvel at the Temple of the Jaguar and four other large temple/pyramids among a vast complex of altars, stone stelae (carved upright posts), and many yet-unexcavated mounds. The Mayans understood the orbit of Venus, invented the zero, and created one of the most refined cultures on Earth. Remains of their magnificent cities, temples and sculpture abound in Guatemala, at sites such as Ceibal, Yaxha, Nakum, Uaxactun, Ixlu, Quirigua, Zaculeu, Iximche, El Baul and Abaj Takalik. 

Major Mayan complexes in Honduras can be found at Copan and La Colorada. El Salvador is noted for its pyramids at Tazumal and San Andres.  The volcano Volcan Masaya in Nicaragua was the site of human sacrifices to the god of fire, while ancient statues and petroglyphs have been found on the Isla de Omotepe in Lake Nicaragua. Miraculous healings have been attributed to the Catholic pilgrimage site, la Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles in Costa Rica.