10 Affordable and Beautiful Vacation Destinations in Latin America

Of course all of the destinations in Mexico are gorgeous in their own right and chock full of Mayan history, but if you're looking for a combo of Mayan culture plus melt-in-your-mouth Latin meals, Guatemala is a really inexpensive alternative. History buffs will love this small city; you can even stay in Hotel Cirilo, which was made from the ruins of an 18th-century colonial church.

To fill your days, there are plenty of tours of Mayan ruins at Tikal National Park and the Temple of the Two-Headed Serpent — you might recognize the latter from Star Wars, and, guess what? You can climb to the top. Don't forget to fuel up with delicious Guatemalan meals at bistros like Fridas and Panza Verde.