Ten Foot Square Central America

For awesome scenery and exotic animals plus great adventure, Central America is an ideal destination. The countries of Central America provide a wide range of adventure, exploration opportunities, ancient history, art and numerous attractions. Adventure can be had at the white sand beaches, hot springs, volcanoes, rainforests and ruins. Accommodations, both budget (jungle lodges) and luxury (five-star resorts), are available for all types of travelers.

The months of January through April are the ideal time to visit Central America. It is the dry season there notably just after the Ano Nuevo (New Year) festivities and before the Semana Santa (Holy Week) holidays. During this time, humidity will be less and hitting the beaches will be very favorable. Remember to stay away from the hurricane season from September to November.

Visit Costa Rica from December to April, Belize from the months of December to May and Guatemala from November to May. Costa Rica, however, may be visited at any time of the year as the place has consistent temperatures. The highlands have favorably warm weather while it’s hot along the coastlines. Costa Rica has only two seasons – the wet and dry season (which covers the months of December through April). The dry season has only one or two days of rain each month hence, it is an ideal time for traveling to this country. But take not that the dry season can also be the busiest part of the year what with the Christmas break and school holidays. It’s advisable that you plan ahead at least six months before your scheduled trip. The wet season, on the other hand, is okay for travelers who are not so much bothered by the rains and who want lesser crowds during their visit.

Belize offers extraordinary attractions any time of the year, it all depends on your preference and your budget. It is busiest from November to May, the winter months in the northern hemisphere. The winter season sees airfares and hotel rates soar. Many tourists, however, opt for the more tranquil summer months from June to October. Summer is an ideal time to enjoy Belize because it has cooler temperatures and ironically, lesser visitors giving you the chance to enjoy a more private and relaxing vacation. It’s true that summer can give you rains but these are only occasional and short showers and won’t spoil much your visit. You can also save a lot during the summer season as most rates go down from May until November.

Summer is also the busiest time in Guatemala with some showers to boot. Prices likewise go down during this part of the year hence, a good time to visit for budget travelers. The dry season covering the months of November through April is considered the best time to visit the country. If you want to experience it’s Easter festivities which are celebrated all around the country, Easter week is a great time to go there.

If you’re aiming to visit Panama, it’s best to go there during the dry season from mid-December to mid-April. You can enjoy diving, sports fishing and bird watching in the Caribbean seas. The country also has two seasons only – wet and dry. The wet season from June until December can be bearable as rains are sporadic and brief with the sun still shining. Crowds are lesser at this time, hotels offer cheaper rates and visitors can experience many activities as well.

When you visit the Mayan Ruins in Guatemala, you can discover the great civilizations that once lorded over the region between 700 BC to 900 BC. The Mayans were a proud, strong people known for their arts, military power, and scientific achievements. Their monuments record how they shaped a dynasty, conquered their enemies, and formed alliances with surrounding cultures (or crushed them to oblivion).

Archaeologists believe that over 3,000 major monuments and buildings once stood within the Mayan boundaries, though most of them, unfortunately, have fallen into disrepair. Luckily, there are many monuments that have been found in relatively good condition, and efforts have been made by both the Guatemalan people and the international scientific community to preserve and reconstruct the ruins. Due to these efforts, the world is beginning to discover the great achievements of the Mayans, who had been forgotten for centuries as their secrets lay hidden in the Guatemalan jungles.

The most prominent ruins can be found in the Tikal area, located just across Copan’s Honduran border (you can, however, find smaller ruins in other areas in Guatemala). From the materials used, archaeologists believe that the rulers had great stones and wood transported down the south rivers, where they were carved into the sculptures that were later excavated in this area. This is just one indication of the Mayan rulers’ great wealth and intricate system of trade.

You should visit the Great Plaza, Tikal’s most impressive structure. You will see the stelae, the sculptured altars, and many religious builidings and residential palaces. The two temples (one of them called the Temple of the Jaguar) stand at its sides, towering at 150 feet. The tomb of Ah Cacao lies in in the temple.

Another must-see is Copan, just 13 kilometers away from the Honduras border, and considered to be one of the greatest Mayan achievements. The royal sculptures reveal the craftsmanship and artistic skill of the Mayan people. Some attractions include the Hieroglyphic Stairway, famous for having the longest continuous glyphic text includes the longest single glyphic text, which records the history of the first 15 rulers.,

You should also see Quirigua. While it is not as imposing as the Grand Plaza (in fact it is one of the smallest Mayan cities) but the monuments are incredible and well preserved. This includes temples, eleven large stelae, and several rock sculptures representing key figures from the civilization’s mythology.  The Mayans had a very well-developed culture. While not as famous as the Greek and Roman civilization, they had a rich oral tradition that included legends of great warriors and their battles with monsters and demons.

Another interesting site is Aguateca, an archaeological site in the Peten region, surrounded by the lush forests of the Pasion River. While known more for its beautiful waterways and landscapes, it does merit a visit. The waterways also indicate the Mayan’s skill in architecture and mathematics, as they used the natural landscape to their advantage, and worked “with” the surroundings to create monuments that enhanced rather than destroyed the countryside.