Science Meets Storytelling: Shining New Light on the Maya World
At this year’s Viaventure Guide Training in the Yucatán, our keynote speaker was Francisco Estrada-Belli, a National Geographic Explorer and leading Maya archaeologist. For our guides, who bring travelers to the region’s most remarkable ancient sites, hearing from him was a rare privilege. His work revealed how much we’re still learning about the Maya world, and reminded our guides they’re the ones who carry those discoveries forward to travelers.
A Revolution in the Jungle
Francisco directs the Pacunam LiDAR Initiative, a project that has changed how archaeology works in Central America. LiDAR, short for Light Detection and Ranging, uses laser mapping from aircraft to see beneath dense jungle canopy. This technology has revealed over 6,000 hidden Maya structures, from entire cities to ceremonial causeways once lost under the forest.
He explained how this research has reshaped what we know about the Maya world. Once believed to be a network of isolated city-states, LiDAR now shows an interconnected civilization of over 16 million people. Each discovery redefines the region our guides know so well.
For the guides, this information turned familiar places into new frontiers. Every trail, ruin, or hill might hide another story waiting to be uncovered.
From Science to Travel
Francisco’s work was recently featured in GQ Magazine, which named Guatemala “Destination of the Year 2025.” The article celebrates how science and travel are coming together to reveal a living, evolving Maya world.
It also highlights Viaventure’s role in that transformation, from operating glamping experiences in Uaxactún, to supporting community tourism recognized by the UN World Tourism Organization.
These discoveries are reshaping the traveler experience. Archaeology is no longer something confined to museums or restricted dig sites, it’s alive, happening in real time, and accessible through the right guides and partners.
Collaboration and Connection
Francisco has been a long-time collaborator and friend of Viaventure. His talks inspire our guides to keep learning, question what they know, and share that knowledge with travelers. He continues to help us design meaningful experiences that bridge academic discovery and field interpretation.
For travelers and partners interested in archaeology, we can often create special opportunities to connect with ongoing research and the people leading it. Our collaboration ensures that each journey into the Maya world is grounded in real insight and respect for its living heritage.
Looking Ahead
As LiDAR continues to uncover more of what lies beneath the canopy, our understanding of the Maya grows deeper. And with it, so does our appreciation for the people who lived here, and for those, like Francisco, who dedicate their lives to bringing that story to light.
At Viaventure, we’re proud to stand at that intersection of science and storytelling, helping travelers experience a civilization that still has much to teach us.