Ancient Culture of the Yucatan Peninsula

Although our guide will no doubt be offering their vast historical knowledge and sharing their research stories of their culture as we travel to the ancient Maya ruins on our excursion. I thought the tour might be a bit more insightful if I shared with you a snapshot view of the Mayan historical periods that I found on this website www.berclo.net.

What I particularly liked about this website was the easy read and layout. Plus as you explore the website you will find that the chart reference the archaeological sites we will be visiting with the Maya historical periods. And if you click on the ruin site we will be visiting, it will link you to more information & photos of the ruins. I'm not sure if the chart on this blog will link to the highlighted reference, so be sure you visit their website and start your exploration ... thanks "Berclo.net" for helping out a simple mind like mine, there's a lot of information here!

Maya Archaeological Sites
Period		Southern Area	Central Area	Northern Area	Non Maya Areas
Pre-classic	Early, 2000 to 1000 BC	Ocós La Victoria	Cuello	Balamku Mani	La Venta (Olmec) San Lorenzo (Olmec)
	Middle, 1000 to 300 BC	Kaminaljuyú.	Seibal Uaxactún	Altun Ha Dzibilchaltún	Chiapa de Corzo Izapa Tres Zapotes (Olmec)
	Late, 300 to 250 AD	Abaj Takalik El Baul	El Mirador	Chakanbakán El Rey Lamanai	Monte Alban (Zapotec)
Classic	Early, 250 to 550 AD		Calakmul Copán Tikal Yaxchilán Yaxhá	Becán Caracol Cobá Edzná Izamal	Teotihuacán
	Late, 550 to 800 AD	Zaculeu	Altar de Sacrificios Bonampak Palenque Piedras Negras Quiriguá Toniná	Kabáh Labná Sayil Río Bec Uxmal Xlapak
	Terminal, 800 to 1000 AD		Seibal	Ek Balam	Tula (Toltec)
Post-classic	Early, 1000 to 1250	San Andrés Tazumal	Topoxte	Chichén Itzá
	Late, 1250 to 1525	Iximché Mixco Viejo		Mayapán Tulum	Tenochtitlán (Aztec)

CHICHEN ITZA Excursion Anyone?

Two of our friends from Hawaii, Naomi & Joan are interested in an excursion to Chichen Itza during this trip. My guess is that this all day excursion most probably will be held on Monday, March 7, Thursday, March 10 or Friday, March 12 as Naomi & Joan has enthusiastically signed up for all our activities.

Alex has directed Naomi to check the resort Concierge for this excursion trip as they would make the accommodation for pick up and return to our resort. I am not sure what the pricing would be but if you are interested, please contact Naomi. I recently sent everyone an email contact list so that you can communicate among one another. So please check your email for this information or ask me to send you another copy.

If you have any other questions...I'm here for ya -- Thanks!

Diana

Photo by Flickr. Mike_fleming

Other Things To Do...besides the resort?!

Not that there is anything wrong with hanging around our resort. It's truly one of the highlights of the Riviera Maya. After all you will soon see by the growth and development of hotels and other resorts along the shoreline that this in itself is a major attraction. So if you just want the sun and hang out, please do so and enjoy... "oh pool boy!"

However for those curious for more? Roger and I will only be offering these two excursions for a no-host option excursion: Coba/Tulum Ruins & Cenote plus the Cenote Scuba Diving that Alex has graciously offered to lead as she is our resident Scuba Diver expert. Just ask her where she journeyed to dive, oh my! So sign up for either excursions and explore the option below by adding one or two more adventures and you will find that your week will be over in a flash. Here are some ideas that you will need to further your research or talk to the resort concierge when you get there for possible excursion options. But remember relaxation is okay too!

Xcaret Park - eco-themed recreational waterpark.

Cozumel - require a ferry ride to the Island of Cozumel. Check with resort concierge for transportation and with Russell and randy who will have completed a pre-Now jade resort stay!

Playa del Carmen-shopping, looking, drinking & eating are the professional sport here in this town. Check with concierge about transportation. Might want to share a cab ride?

Cancun - if you want the hustle & bustle of the city. Cancun is your place with beaches, hotel zones, shopping, restaurants & bars...on a much larger scale then anything on the Riviera Maya!

Chichen Itza - More ruins? Here's wonders of the world for ruins! It's about 100 miles one way from our resort. So if Coba & Tulum wasn't enough...you will need to ask the resort concierge for options.

Photo by AppleVacation NowJadeResort