Maya Site Shore Excursions!
If your idea of adventure is sampling the local cocktail in the closest port bar, then trekking through Maya ruins may not be for you. Not the typical “cruise ship shore excursion” trips to these fascinating sites are available from Caribbean ports in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.
On a recent stop in Guatemala, guests of the Seven Seas Mariner had the opportunity to visit the crème de la crème of the Classic Maya world – Tikal, Copan and Quirigua. Upon the approach to Guatemala’s Peten region, the roof combs of Tikal’s temples tower above the tree line. If the sight looks familiar it may be because it was used in the opening scene of the original Star Wars! Visitors to the site are amazed to its extent; the largest Maya city-state yet to found, Tikal supported a population some estimate to be over 200,000 inhabitants. One day is time only to whet one’s appetite for a future visit. Quirigua is the closest site to the port of Santo Tomas de Castillo and can be reached by car or bus. Within the site is an excellent collection of stela – the carved columns that depict dynastic rulers and their hieroglyphic text. Those with walking difficulties will appreciate the level surface throughout the site and its accessibility. Finally, Copan; acclaimed as the “Paris of the Maya world” the site is rich in deep-relief carving and sculpture. In recent years Copan has contributed much to the understanding of the Maya thanks to the archaeological work done by Ricardo Agurcia, Bill Fash and Robert Sharer. Perfectly preserved amidst the core of Temple 16, a replica of the Rosalia Temple is on display in the new Sculpture Museum. As an added bonus, many of the tunnels used by archaeologists are open to the public.
For those seriously interested in learning more about the Maya; mark your calendars for June 14 – 16, 2007, when the III International Congress will meet in Copan. This year’s theme: The Art of Power in the Mundo Maya. Included on the schedule of events in a Mundo Maya Culinary Festival! For more information contact www.copancongress.com.