Best ancient sites to visit in Central America

Every site here is Maya, and together they show the southern edge of that world, from lowland ceremonial centres to highland capitals. Belize has the largest group: Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Caracol and El Pilar around San Ignacio, Altun Ha near Belize City and Lamanai on the New River. In Guatemala, Yaxha rises above its lake in the Petén forest and Iximche was a Kaqchikel capital in the highlands; Copán in Honduras is known for its carved stelae and hieroglyphic stairway, and El Salvador adds Tazumal and Joya de Cerén, a farming village buried under volcanic ash.