Since our Trans-Americas Journey started in 2006 we’ve visited more than 100 archaeological sites in the US, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru. These sites have given us a window into a wide range of cultures including Anasazi, Zapotec. Olmec, Incan, and more but most of our Indiana Jones time has been spent with the Mayans–we’ve visited 54 Mayan archaeological sites so far.
With so many posts about so many sites we wanted to index them in one easy place–and here it is. We’ve categorized sites by culture and by country and alphabetized each site within its grouping for quick reference. The links take you directly to our blog post covering that site.
Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico
Chichén Itzá
Becan Campeche state
Bonampak Chiapas state
Calakmul Campeche state
Chiapa de Corzo Chiapas
Chicanná Campeche state
Ek’ Balam
Chichen Itza Yucatan state
Chinkultic Chiapas state
Coba Quintana Roo state
Comalcalco Tabasco state
Dzibilchaltun Yucatan state
Palenque
Dzibilnocac Campeche state
Edzna Campeche state
Ek’ Balam Quintana Roo state
Hochob Campeche state
Hormiguero Campeche state
Izamal Yucatan state
Izapa Chiapas state
Kabah Yucatan state
Labna Yucatan state
Loltun Cave Yucatan state
Mayapan Yucatan state
Palenque Chiapas state
Sayil Yucatan state
El Tabasqueño Campeche state
Tenem Puente Chiapas state
Toniná Chiapas state
Tulum Quintana Roo state
Uxmal Yucatan state
Xpuhil Campeche state
Yaxchilan Chiapas state
Other Mesoamerican sites in Mexico
Cacaxtla (Olmec-Xicalancas culture) Tlaxcala state
Cholula (Olmec-Xicalancas culture ) Puebla state
El Tajin (Totonaca culture) Veracruz state
El Tepozteco (Aztec culture) Tepotzlan, Morelos state
Guachimontones (Teuchitlan culture) Jalisco state
La Ventana: Parque-Musueo de La Venta Villahermosa, Tabasco state
Mitla (Zapotec culture) Oaxaca state
Monte Alban (Zapotec culture) Oaxaca state
Paquimé (Mimbres culture) Casas Grandes, Chihuahua state
Quiahuztlan (Toltec culture) Veracruz state
Teotihuacan (Aztec culture) Mexico state
Templo Mayor (Aztec culture) Mexico City
Xochicalco Morelos state
Xochitecatl (Olmec-Xicalancas civilization) Tlaxcala state
Yagul (Zapotec culture) Oaxaca state
Museo Nacional de Antropología Mexico City
Museo de Antropología Xalapa, Veracruz state
Mayan archaeological sites in Belize
Lamanai
Actun Tunichil Muknal aka ATM cave
Mayan archaeological sites in Guatemala
El Mirador part 1, part 2, part 3
Mayan archaeological sites in Honduras
Mayan archaeological sites in El Salvador
Archaeological sites in Costa Rica
Archaeological sites in Colombia
Archaeological sites in Ecuador
Ingapirca (Incan and Cañari )
Archaeological sites in Peru
Kuelap (Incan)
Los Paredones (Incan)
Machu Picchu (Incan)
Archaeological sites in the US
Aztec Ruins National Monument (Anasazi culture) New Mexico
Canyon de Chelly National Monument (Anasazi culture) Arizona
Chaco Culture National Historic Park (Anasazi culture) New Mexico
El Morro National Monument (Anasazi culture) New Mexico
Fate Bell Shelter – Seminole Canyon State Park
Gila Cliff Dwellings National monument (Mogollon culture) New Mexico
Hovenweep national Monument (Anasazi culture) Utah/Colorado
Hueco Tanks (Mogollon culture) Texas
Mesa Verde National Park (Anasazi culture) Colorado
Montezuma Castle National monument (Sinagua culture) Arizona
Navajo National Monument (Anasazi culture) Arizona
Painted Rock – Carrizo Plain National Monument, California
Petroglyph National Monument, New Mexico
Archaeological sites in Canada
L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (Vikings) Newfoundland
I had no idea that the Mayan empire (if that’s the right word) was so vast and included so many structures. I went to Mexico City once on business but had no time to travel. Your list of sites makes me itch to go back.
The Mayan archaeological site of Chichen Itza is the most popular spot in Mexico to celebrate the spring equinox. The site’s most famous building, The Kulkulkan temple, is the site of a dramatic display of Mayan astronomical knowledge. Every year on the autumn and spring equinoxes the light of the sun makes a play of light and shadow which makes it look like a serpent is slithering along the steps of the pyramid. The effect begins in the late afternoon, around 4 pm, and lasts for an hour or so. The serpent appears for a few days – from around March 19th to the 23rd, but on the actual date of the equinox the effect is most obvious.
Absolutely wonderful resource for anyone interested in Mayan ruins. Copan is also pretty spectacular – looking forward to your stories from there as it’s been many years since I visited.
With all these amazing archeological sites, it will be worth it to spend a long vacation to Mexico. It would be one of my greatest achievement in life if I can explore even at least 10 archeological sites in Mexico. I am so excited! I’m looking forward to it! I just hope I can go there by next year. And when it happens, I would be very happy!