Honduras/Guatemala/Belize
The Maya and More: History and Culture of Copan, Tikal and Lamanai
Program No. 3217RJ
Learn the complex story of the Maya and their enduring legacy as you visit ancient monuments, traditional markets and Indigenous villages where Mayan culture remains strong.
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15 days
14 nights
35 meals
14B 13L 8D
1
Arrive to Belize City, Orientation
Burrell Boom
2
Lamanai Ruins
Burrell Boom
5
Fly to Guatemala City, Iximche Ruins, Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan
6
Local Villages, Cultural Traditions & Customs
Lake Atitlan
10
Transfer to Guatemala City, Anthropology Museum Guatemala
Guatemala City
14
Las Sepulturas Ruins, San Pedro Sula, Guamilito Market
San Pedro Sula
15
Program Concludes
In Flight
At a Glance
Delve into the history of a people whose sophistication in art, architecture and science rivaled the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. Journeying through the lands that are now Belize, Honduras and Guatemala, gain insight into the contemporary issues of each country and witness the impact of European colonization and the lifestyles and traditions of modern-day descendants of the Mayan people.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to three hours at a time over varied terrain. Ascending and descending steep and irregular steps, without railings, in ruins. Elevations up to 6,500 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Discover the extraordinary Maya ruins at Copán, Tikal, Cahal Pech, Iximche and Lamanai.
- Examine traditional chocolate production in Honduras and visit a local school for insights into the educational system.
- Embrace the old-world charm of Antigua and learn about local handicraft traditions at the famous colorful Indigenous market of Chichicastenango, filled with textiles, handicrafts and food.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Eli Gonzalez
Eli Abner Gonzalez was born in Diriamba, a small town in southern Nicaragua. In 1973, at age six, Gonzalez’s family of 10 moved to neighboring Honduras. There, Eli attended the public school Jose Trinidad Reyes in the city of San Pedro Sula. After finishing high school, Eli moved to Tegucigalpa, the country's capital, to continue his studies at a Baptist church seminary school. During his time at seminary, Eli had the opportunity to travel internationally. After obtaining his degree in theology, Eli returned to San Pedro Sula to study at La Universidad Pedagogica Nacional to become a social studies teacher, which he did for many years. In the early 1990s, Eli began to use his teaching background to lead educational adventures, and now considers his many years of excursion leading as precious opportunities to share his country’s many wonders with visitors from around the world. Eli is married to his high school sweetheart and is the proud father of two.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Eli Gonzalez
View biography
Eli Abner Gonzalez was born in Diriamba, a small town in southern Nicaragua. In 1973, at age six, Gonzalez’s family of 10 moved to neighboring Honduras. There, Eli attended the public school Jose Trinidad Reyes in the city of San Pedro Sula. After finishing high school, Eli moved to Tegucigalpa, the country's capital, to continue his studies at a Baptist church seminary school. During his time at seminary, Eli had the opportunity to travel internationally. After obtaining his degree in theology, Eli returned to San Pedro Sula to study at La Universidad Pedagogica Nacional to become a social studies teacher, which he did for many years. In the early 1990s, Eli began to use his teaching background to lead educational adventures, and now considers his many years of excursion leading as precious opportunities to share his country’s many wonders with visitors from around the world. Eli is married to his high school sweetheart and is the proud father of two.
Suggested Reading List
(21 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Maya and More: History and Culture of Copan, Tikal and Lamanai
Program Number: 3217
The Maya
Coe's clear and concise illustrated survey of the Maya highlights the chronology, accomplishments and legacy of the Maya.
Insight Guide Guatemala, Belize & the Yucatan
This handsome guide gives a profusely illustrated overview of Guatemala, Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula, featuring concise essays by well regarded authors on natural history, politics and culture.
The True History of Chocolate
This scholarly history of pre-Columbian chocolate by these married archaeologists reveals chocolate's origins as a ceremonial beverage in ancient Olmec and Maya society. The Coes trace the treat's evolution from a food of the gods to the salons of Europe down through the masses to Hershey Pennsylvania.
The Guatemala Reader
A lively, literate sourcebook on the politics, economy and society of Guatemala, aimed at students, travelers and scholars.
Moon Handbook Honduras & the Bay Islands
A comprehensive guide to Honduras, its history, culture and attractions.
The Copan Sculpture Museum, Ancient Maya Artistry in Stucco and Stone
Director of the Corpus of Maya Hieroglyphic Inscriptions Program & Mesoamerican Laboratory at the Peabody Museum, Fash brings insight and an on-the-ground perceptive to this illustrated overview of Copan, both a museum catalog and an introduction to the Maya.
Guatemalan Journey
Opening with a long chapter on life in Guatemala City, Benz’s memoir moves on to the remote highlands and other little-visited regions. An excellent account of Guatemala’s political history, traditions, and indigenous cultures.
Maya Art and Architecture
An illustrated overview of the art and architecture of the Maya, making use of the latest discoveries at Tikal, Copan and Palenque to demonstrate the range of Maya artistic influence. With 200 illustrations, 50 in color, including site plans, maps, strikingly rendered reconstructions and color photographs of key temples and buildings.
Culture Smart! Guatemala
A concise and practical guide to local customs, etiquette and culture.
Birds of Tropical America
An ornithologist and veteran leader of birding expeditions, Hilty serves up short essays on how to find and better appreciate the dizzying variety of neotropical birds, their habits and habitats, diversity and distribution in this well-loved book.
Time Among the Maya, Travels in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico
An account of travels among the contemporary Maya of Guatemala and Yucatan (with a side trip to Belize City). Organized geographically, it devotes chapters on Belize, the Peten, highland Guatemala, Chiapas and the Yucatan. Unlike most travelogues, this book includes a glossary, notes, bibliography and index. Wright (who also wrote the excellent Cut Stones and Crossroads, set in Peru) combines journalism, archaeology and a fine ear for dialogue in this engaging account.
Belize, Travellers' Wildlife Guides
An all-around field guide featuring color illustrations of 200 birds, 50 mammals, 150 coral reef creatures and 80 reptiles and amphibians.
The Lost Cities of the Mayas
The discoveries of British artist Frederick Catherwood and his American companion John Lloyd Stephens, the first Westerners to see the Maya cities of the Yucatan, are chronicled in this illustrated, oversized biography, featuring 200 color engravings of the monuments of Central America, Chiapas and the Yucatan.
The Code of Kings, The Language of Seven Sacred Maya Temples and Tombs
A vivid guided tour of seven Maya sites, including Palenque, Tikal and Chichen Itza. This outstanding book features photos and line drawings throughout, and introductory chapters with a succinct introduction to Maya history and culture.
Animals and Plants of the Ancient Maya, A Guide
A comprehensive guide to the natural and cultural history of 100 plants and animals of the Maya world, primarily those from the lowland tropical forest of Central America but also including savanna, mangrove and coral reef habitats.
Antigua and My Life Before
Set in Santiago, Chile, and the Guatemalan city of Antigua, this is the story of two women --- one a famous singer, the other an artist/architect -- and a tragic shooting that sparks off memories of their friendship.
Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan: Volume One
The first volume of Stephens' 1841 account, an instant bestseller and still an excellent introduction to the people, culture and archaeology of Central America. It follows Stephens through Belize and Guatemala, with several chapters on Copan. With 127 engravings by Frederick Catherwood. We also carry Volume Two. ($14.95, Item MYA05)
An Album of Maya Architecture
Scholar, artist and architect Proskouriakoff presents breathtaking artistic reconstructions of what Maya cities may have looked like in their heyday in this classic work, first published in 1946.
Central America Map
A detailed map of the Central American isthmus at a scale of 1:1,100,000.
Popol Vuh, The Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life
The definitive, unabridged collection of creation myths and stories of the Quiche people, fundamental to understanding the worldview of the highland Maya.
Tropical Nature
A lively, lucid portrait of the tropics as seen by two uncommonly observant and thoughtful field biologists. Its 17 marvelous essays introduce the habitats, ecology, plants and animals of the Central and South American rainforest