Moon Maya 2012: A Guide to Celebrations in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras (Moon Handbooks) [Paperback]

Joshua Berman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 11, 2011 | Series: Moon Handbooks

December 21, 2012 is an important date for the Maya; it marks the end of the Long Count, a 5,125-year cycle of the Maya calendar, and the world’s transition into a new era. Some believe this transition will be peaceful; others warn it will be nothing short of explosive. But there's one thing everyone can agree on: Traveling to the Mundo Maya in the year 2012 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—and it’s not to be missed.

Travelers to Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras in 2012 can expect a yearlong celebration of Maya culture, past and present—and Moon Maya 2012 is the guide to the best of these celebrations. From Palenque and Tulum to Tikal and Uaxactún, from Caracol to Copán, Central America expert Joshua Berman details the top offerings of each destination: Maya-themed sporting events and reenactments, ceremonies, dances, festivals, important archaeological sites, and more. Packed with strategies for planning a 2012 trip, lists of the organizations and tourism boards offering the best packages and tours, and easy-to-read maps to help you navigate your way through them all, Moon Maya 2012 gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I don't even sneeze in Central America without asking Josh Berman how to hold my hanky. Simply put, he knows it all." —Andrew Zimmern, chef, author, and host of Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern"

"An essential guide for travel in the Maya world at a pivotal moment in time." —Dan Buettner, author of Blue Zones and Mayaquest expedition team leader

"A unique travel guide...fun and practical." —Rolf Potts, author of Vagabonding and Marco Polo Didn't Go There

About the Author

Joshua Berman has been traveling, living, teaching, and leading trips in Central America since 1998, the year the Peace Corps sent him to Nicaragua as an education volunteer. During his two and a half years there, he heard tales about “lost worlds” and Maya pyramids somewhere up the isthmus, and eventually worked his way north, stopping along the way to dive in Honduras and write a guidebook to Belize. He has taken students to Guatemala and El Salvador, guided film crews into caves in Belize, and shared some truly bizarre foods with Travel Channel host Andrew Zimmern.

Joshua is a freelance writer, Spanish teacher, and television production fixer who bounces between Colorado and Latin America. He is a proud alumnus of Brown University, AmeriCorps, Outward Bound, and the Whiskeytown Fire Use Module. In addition to Moon Maya 2012, Joshua is the author of Moon Belize and the coauthor of Moon Nicaragua and Moon Living Abroad in Nicaragua. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Yoga Journal, Outside Traveler, 5280, Sunset, National Geographic Traveler, The Boston Globe, Worldview, and Mountain Gazette. He hopes 2012 will be a year of continuing discovery for himself and his family.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing; 1 edition (October 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1612381197
• ISBN-13: 978-1612381190
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.5 x 7.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #832,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Travel > Central America > Belize
  • #20 in Books > Travel > Central America > Honduras
  • #41 in Books > Travel > Central America > Guatemala

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars OMG! If you're planning a 2012 trip to any Mayan sites.. this is a MUST READ! March 19, 2012

By Mamabear Cherei

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

We went to Chichen Itza in January 2012.. and I wish.. we would have had this book then! Now, it has me itching to go to Belize and see some of the upcoming festivals and the various ancient Mayan sites. This book is full of superb photographs. It's VERY well written! Has lots of helpful hints for the traveler! Seriously looking at flying into Mexico.. and then.. taking a bus into Belize City. Did NOT realize.. that Belize City is one of the more expensive places to fly into. Again.. the author gives wonderful tips on traveling through the path of the Ancient Mayans.. in a modern world!

If you're interested in the Mayan calendar, the Mayan people and the Mayan archaeological sites.. and, plan on visiting any of them in 2012.. this book condenses all that you will need for traveling and the various celebrations that are planned for 2012!

The maps are fantastic too! When one is at the various sites.. you have to crowd around a guide.. to get a glimpse of the maps... far better to see it in advance.. and know which areas are a MUST see! At Chichen Itza.. we had gone in 2011.. and missed the Solar Observatory.. after reading more.. we realized how much we'd missed.. and had to return in 2012 to see it! Lots more hidden in the jungle.. you just need the information.. to know.. where to look! This book.. gives you that information!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Essential Guide for Maya 2012 Happenings January 11, 2012

By Stuart Gustafson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As an author myself, I wasn't sure what to expect from Josh Berman's latest MOON guide. I had just been down to Honduras in June 2011, and we'd spent two days in Copan, visiting the Mayan ruins there. Reading "Maya 2012," I realized that there was so much that I missed out on while we were in Copan even though we had a top-notch guide with us. But that's not the reason why I give Josh 5 stars and why I say this book is THE essential guide for your Maya 2012 planning.

Josh knows the Mayan countries and the Mayan culture. His book takes you on a journey through the most important sites to visit; why you want to visit them; how to visit them; he even tells you which ones to skip. The book is full of so many details, with maps, websites, detailed descriptions -- that if you have any interest at all in the Long Count Calendar and the importance of December 21,2012 -- you MUST read this book. Once you read it for the first time, then go back, read it again and take notes of the places that you want to visit first, start making your schedules and plans, and then check out Josh's recommendations. Make sure you "take Josh" along with you on your trip -- he'll be a great silent guide and companion.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and handy. January 3, 2012

By AmberLight

Format:Kindle Edition

Anyone planning o visit or start touring or wanting to learn more should own and keep this book. It inspires me to learn more about Mundo Maya and the culture and people...and of course the Long Count.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Handy Book December 21, 2011

By C. Trew

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a very useful quick immersion into the Mundo Maya (World of the Maya) for those interested in having their own 2012 Mayan experience. The book gives detailed maps and guides to the major Mayan sites in 4 of the 5 modern-day countries the Maya lived in -- Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. The Maya reached into a portion of El Salvador but there are only some small sites existing today. The entire countries of Belize and Guatemala were inhabited by the Maya and several eastern Mexican states covering a large area were as well. Only a small area of Honduras hosted the Maya but it has one of the greatest of sites - Copan. And Quirigua, with it's wonderful stellae is nearby in neighboring Guatemala.
The book also lists many of the special events and tours that are being conducted during 2012 by the host countries, tour agencies and various resorts and hotels. And, yes, as one reviewer noted some of the offerings are expensive. I operate of Succotz in Belize next to the Mayan site of Xunantunich and some of the places mentioned for that country, like Chaa Creek, are high end and expensive. But make no mistake, you are likely to get your money's worth. *However* any place you stay at in these countries will be able to hook you up with local tours and you will see these advertised all over the place. You can easily find other places that are much cheaper and still nice.
The book has plenty of website listings and other sources of information for doing your own planning. With this book you can easily do these sites yourself. If you are unfamiliar with Mayan history it can be well worth hiring a guide. Licensed guides are frequently out at the entrances to sites, especially the larger ones.... And if traveling to remote sites, like Caracol in Belize or Tikal in Guatemala guides are also good for safety reasons. Guides can also assist you with other Maya sites not so well known or frequented. Finally, some Mayan sites, especially caves, require a licensed guide to escort you in.
2012 is going to be an exciting year for tourism in the Mundo Maya and this book is a great starting point for your trip. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Josh tells exactly what I need to know June 7, 2012

By Zev Paiss

Format:Paperback

I have been traveling to the Maya Rivera for the past 20 years and have very little interest in the typical tourist attractions. What I found so wonderful with the Maya 2012 book was that it offered honest, in-depth information even a seasoned traveler would not know. This book offers a wealth of information about what you can expect when visiting the Mayan World as well as the "behind-the-scenes" and out-of-the-way jewels that only natives are aware of. His easy to read style and sense of humor make this guide book one of the best ones out there. Buy it and use it!