Mayan cities and the ruins are one of the most inspiring journeys you'll ever make. Visiting these ancient Mayan cities is a great way to spend your vacation. Places like Chichen Itza, Palenque, Merida, Tulum, Tikal and Uxmal are just some of the great ruins in the Southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala areas. The Mayan ruins of central America are from cities that fell into decline long before Columbus. But many of the traditions reflected in the architecture and art from these sites live on in the modern Mayan world.

   
Chichen Itza translates to mean "mouth of the well of Itza." Chichen is the best known, best restored, and arguably most impressive Mayan ruin. It's also not entirely Mayan. Chichen got off the ground around 550 AD. Like most Mayan cities, Chichen was abandoned in the 10th century, then resettled around 1000 AD. Abandoned again in the 14th century, but it remained the site for pilgrimages for many years. Chichen had two principal wells, or cenote: one sacred and the other for everyday needs. The sacred well, a largish 195 feet across by 120 feet deep, was used in worship, and offerings were continually made to it.

Palenque
Beloved by many who declare it to be the most beautiful Mayan ruin, Palenque sits proudly in Palenque National Park in the state of Chiapas. The region around Palenque has the highest average rainfall in Mexico, watering a chokingly dense rainforest. The site covers 15 square miles. Set against a hill, the city was built in such a way that it could be seen for days as one ventured through the rain forest from the coast. Other spectacular sites are Tulum, Copan and Uxmal, just some of the hundreds of ruins.