(Guatemala, Belize & Yucatan) with Justine Shapiro

Justine Shapiro follows the route of the Maya, starting her journey in Merida, Mexico, where she visits the local market and samples the local delicacy, cow's stomach stew. Justine heads for the ruins of Chichen Itza and the beautiful beach resort area Tulum on the Caribbean Coast.

Her journey takes her on to Belize, the only English speaking countries in Latin America. In Dangriga, a tiny town home to the Garifuna people, Justine witnesses a festival. Then heads for the tiny idyllic beach resort of Placencia, where Justine goes scuba diving and takes a river trip to see the famous howler monkeys. Before visiting the Mayan ruins of Caracol, Justine meets with two Mennonite families, descendants of 18th century religious refugees from Germany who call Belize home.

From here, Justine takes the bus over the border to Guatemala. Her first stop, the Mayan ruins of Tikal, are located in the heart of the jungle. After flying into Guatemala City, Justine heads west to Lake Atitlan and the Indian villages surrounding the lake. She visits an indigenous painter, goes to an Indian market at Nahuala and then heads to the Easter celebrations in Antigua, hailed as the most spectacular in all Latin America.

Justine's trip ends with her own personal adventure, climbing the spectacular active volcano of Pacaya.

48 minutes