Indian Ruins- central america?

Question

for a x-mas gift, we decided that we are going to go on vacation. I want to go somewhere warm, sunny like costa rica or puerto rico. my mom wants to see myan ruins or aztec ruins. so central america sounds like a good place. can you suggest any where that has beaches and ruins? THANKS!!

Answer 1

I have lived,worked and traveled in Mexico,Central and South America for several years.Below is a brief summary,in no particular order of the places you mentioned in your question.  

Mexico has, by far,the greatest variety and number of beaches and restored archeological sites and many of them exist on or very near the coast. Mexico is also the largest country but has the most efficient public transportation system of all.

Although all seven countries in Central America also have remains of ancient cities,the largest,best known and most accessible are Tikal in Guatemala and Copan in Honduras but are further away from the beaches.Guatemala and Honduras have a few (but not very attractive) beaches on the Pacific coast but do have some very nice beach destinations (especially Honduras) on the Carribean side of their respective countries.

Puerto Rico has recently discovered what looks to be a very large and potentially important ancient site but it will probably not be open to the public for years. There are great beaches (and food) anywhere you go in P.R. A lot of people also speak English there which can be an asset if your Spanish language skills are limited.

Few of Costa Rica's archeological sites have been studied extensively, and even fewer are accessible to the public.  Besides Guayabo National Monument (in Turrialba), which has fairly easy access and protects complex ruins of dwellings, roads, bridges and aquaducts surrounded by tropical rain forest, the remainder of Costa Rica's archaeological sites are all very difficult to get to.No shortage of good beaches in Costa Rica either although at Tamarindo,a very popular tourist destination,they recently had a significant pollution problem with raw sewage in the water and on the beach.

Belize is a small,often overlooked country that is very easy to get around in and has some well preserved ruins for mom as well as an abundance of beautiful Caribbean beaches....and English is the official language in Belize.

El Salvador as well as Nicaragua have some small but significant archeological sites and Pacific ocean exposure. They are both beautiful and interesting countries but are not as frequently visited by US tourists as the other countries of Central America.Nicaragua has some nice beach exposure on the Caribbean side of the country and also the Islas de Maiz or Corn Islands off the Caribbean coast.

Panama has some interesting, smaller,less developed archeological sites and also some world-class beaches on both coasts but for some reason,perhaps distance, is not visited as much as some of the other countries.It is however becoming a very popular place to retire by foreigners including many English speaking people.

Hope this helps you to choose a destination that works for both you and your mother.Feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

Answer 2

Yucatan Peninsula.  A bit touristy, though

Answer 3

Cancun, Mexico

Answer 4

mexico? but ur in the right place! costa rica or south america!