Fun facts about famous landmarks: Central & South America

Break out the selfie stick: these famous landmarks make for prime photo opportunities. They also make for some interesting stories. Read on to wow your fellow travelers with little-known facts about some well-known spots during your travels. Then dust off your shoulders as you’re crowned travel guru and lord of fun facts. You're welcome.

P.S.: We were joking about the selfie sticks…sort of.

Belize

Lamanai Ruins

Deep in the jungle, the archaeological site of Lamanai includes 718 known structures, but only a handful have been excavated.

The Belize Barrier Reef

Only around 10% of the species on the second-largest barrier reef have been discovered.

Tikal

Tikal serves as the set location for Yavin 4 in Star Wars. Technically, Tikal is in Guatemala, but we take you there on our trip to Belize.

Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio State Park

This beach and park are on Forbes’ list of the most beautiful national parks in the world.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

There are over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles in the boundaries of the reservation.

Peru

Machu Picchu

All of the stones used to build Machu Picchu were hauled up the mountain without the use of a wheel.