The start to the New Year is less than a week away and in anticipation of December 21, 2012 and the end of the world prophecies, La Ruta Maya, or the Mayan Route, has been included in Lonely Planet's list of the Best in Travel 2012. The entire Mayan region is gearing up for an influx of visitors, cities and towns are kicking off year-long celebrations and Mexico in particular, is expecting an impressive 52 million visitors to the southern states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.

More of a concept than a single route or itinerary, La Ruta Maya extends from southern Mexico through Belize, Guatemala and part of Honduras, and connects important Mayan archaeological sites throughout southeastern Mexico and Central America. The Mayan route can be easily traveled by bus, is accessible to travelers on a budget and is a great way to experience the rich culture and history of the region. The two months that I spent traveling along La Ruta Maya was the highlight of my first visit to Mexico and continues to be one of my favorite travel experiences in the country.

If you're thinking about planning a similar trip in 2012, it's worth noting that you can either travel the entire route from southern Mexico, along the Yucatán Peninsula and into Central America or base yourself in one particular part of the Mayan region and explore locally. The Yucatán Peninsula sites are known for being some of the most impressive in the entire region, whereas the more remote jungle ruins at Palenque, Bonampak and Yaxchilán in Mexico's southernmost state of Chiapas and at Tikal in neighboring Guatemala ended up being, in my opinion, some of the more interesting sites to explore.

If all goes as planned, I'll be returning to Chiapas in late 2012 to take part in all of the "end of the world Maya mania." Maybe I'll see you there!

Are you making plans to visit southeastern Mexico in 2012?

México Today, in association with Marca País – Imagen de México, is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination. This program is designed to shine a light on the Mexico that its people experience every day.

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my role as a contributing writer for México Today; my opinions, as always, are my own.