From Panama to the Yucatan: A Virtual Tour of Central America

• Week 1: Panama and Costa Rica
  We start in Panama City, the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast. We’ll traverse the Panama Canal, from the Pacific to the Caribbean. We then explore the fortifications on the Caribbean side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We conclude with a visit to the San Blas Islands along the Caribbean coast of Panama, a haven for ecotourism because of its pristine environs and home to the Kuna people. In Costa Rica, we'll visit the capital San José and admire its renowned National Theatre.
• Week 2: Nicaragua
  We’ll begin in the capital, Managua. Next it’s the vibrant city of León, home of Nicaragua’s greatest poet, Rubén Darío, and filled with inspiring architecture featuring two UNESCO World Heritage sites. West of León we’ll visit Las Peñitas beach, an easy-going surf spot. Nicaragua’s oldest town, Granada, founded in 1524, is located at the foot of the green and dormant volcano Mombacho, a nature and wildlife reserve located in the cloud forest. Nearby are Isletas de Granada, an archipelago formed by a massive volcanic landslide 20,000 years ago. We conclude on the magical island of Ometepe, formed by the twin volcanic peaks Concepción and Maderas.
• Week 3:El Salvador and Honduras
  In El Salvador we explore the capital San Salvador, a city that features many world-class museums. We’ll visit El Tunco, a famous surfing spot, and the city of Santa Ana. We then discover Joya de Cerén, a pre-Hispanic farming community that, like Pompeii in Italy, was buried under an eruption of the Laguna Caldera volcano around 600 CE. We will also explore the pre-Columbian sites of San Andrés and partake in the spring equinox celebrations in Tazumal.
• Week 4: Guatemala and Belize
  Guatemala has a rich and distinctive culture from the long mix of elements from Spain and the native Maya people. This diverse history and the natural beauty of the land have created a destination rich in interesting and scenic sites. We will explore Guatemala City; Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Chichicastenango, Xecul and the ancient Mayan sites of Tikal, Quiriguá and Xunantunich in Belize. We will also experience Guatemala’s legendary syncretic Easter celebrations.
• Weeks 5 and 6: Mexico
  In Mexico we discover ancient Mayan cities on the Yucatán Peninsula, and fascinating ruins in the jungles of Chiapas. The Mayan peoples’ mix of traditional beliefs with Christianity provide one of the world's most unique examples of living syncretism in San Cristóbal de las Casas, San Juan de Chamula and Zinacantán in the highlands of Chiapas. We then head to Oaxaca to explore its historic centre, discover the pre-Hispanic archaeological sites of Monte Albán, Mitla and Yagul, and visit a series of artisan villages.

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Appreciate the diverse heritage of Central America and the natural, cultural and architectural influences in its cities and countryside
• Identify several UNESCO World Heritage cities throughout Central America
• Understand the compelling features and value that lead to UNESCO World Heritage status
• Gain useful insights for travellers to these places

• Participation in Zoom seminars
• Participation in written discussions with other students
• Supplementary resources accessed through Canvas
• Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)

No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.