On the bluffs of the Caribbean in the Cancun area is Tulum, an ancient walled city dating back to 564 A.D. Tulum was a major city in Mayan trade routes where maritime and land routes converged. The city was decimated by disease from the Spaniards in the 16th century and was abandoned.
The largest ruined Mayan city on the Yucatan Peninsula--and the most visited--is Chichén Itzá. It is believed that the city was first inhabited in the 4th century by farmers, and the first temples were built in the 7th century. Like many Mayan cities, it was conquered by the Spaniards around the late 16th century.
In the state of Chiapas sits the most beautiful of all Mayan cities, Palenque. Covering 15 square miles, this site is situated in the middle of a rainforest. Set on a hill, the city could be seen for miles by travelers.
The small country of Belize is still inhabited by about 20,000 descendents of the ancient Mayans. The ancient ceremonial center Altun Ha is in the center of Belize. On the edge of the Mayan world is Honduras, where tourists enjoy the ancient city of Copan.
Additional Ancient Mayan cities to visit are Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel, and Calakmul, all in Mexico.
