The Mayans didn't predict the end of the world in 2012. It's the renewal of their Long Count calendar.
There still IS a thriving Mayan civilization in Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. Modern Mayans just don't live in city-states run by bloodthirsty warring kings. Their ancestors had the good sense to walk away from all that and let the kings fend for themselves.
I don’t know if I would characterize them all as thriving, some of them are leading marginal jungle existences, but I agree with everything else you say.
Welcome back to the planet...