See the Mayan ruins of Apocalypto Mexico
Mel Gibson's Apocalypto was shot on location in Yucatan, the site of Mexico's Mayan ruins (photo: visitmexico.com)
Tuesday, 02, Jan 2007 03:47
Holidaymakers inspired by Mel Gibson's latest film Apocalypto to go and see the Mayan ruins of Mexico for themselves have plenty of world-renowned sites to visit.
Shot on location in the Yucatan province of Mexico, Mel Gibson's historical epic, out on January 5th, traces the story of a man chosen for sacrifice during the decline of the Mayan civilisation.
Modern day Yucatan still has the remains of stone cities, fortresses and ceremonial structures from 3,000 years ago and many of its citizens are descendents of the ancient Mayans.
Yucatan is sunny 320 days of the year and with an average temperature of 32 degrees will certainly take the chill out of any British cold snap.
One of the must-sees in the region is Chichen-Itza, the economic and military centre for the Mayan civilisation that inhabited the area for 2,000 years.
One of the 21 finalist for the new seven wonders of the world, Chichen-Itza became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, and is one of the largest archaeological sites in Mexico.
The city was at its height around 1,300 years ago, and is located in an area surrounded by thick vegetation, rivers, wells and limestone, which the Mayan's used to construct their buildings.
One of the top sights in the city is El Castillo, the pyramid of the serpent god Kukulkan, a 24-metre high ancient structure with a temple at its top.
The stepped pyramid is at its busiest during the autumn and spring equinox, when thousands of visitors go to see the shadows from sculptures depicting the serpent god slithering down its walls.
The site has an earlier, smaller pyramid inside it, which can be accessed through a tunnel and climbed up.
Once inside, holidaymakers can go to the room that holds King Kukulcan's jaguar throne, a red-coloured seat carved from stone with jade spots.
Other nearby sights include the sacbes, which are white paths used for navigation by the ancient Mayans, and the ruins of Ek-Balam - which has carvings depicting Mayan warriors and jaguars - as well as the colonial cities of Izamal and Valladolid.
Explore's 22-day Indian Mexico, Yucatan and Caribbean itinerary visits Chichen-Itza, as well as a number of Caribbean islands, and costs £2,095 per person for departure in March and April, including flights, all transportation, accommodation, local payments and guides (www.explore.co.uk).
Other tour operators with trips to Yucatan include Responsible Travel, Green Tours and Exodus.