Belize City To Altun Ha: A Short Journey Through History

Altun Ha, known as Water of the Rock in Maya, is located 30-31 miles from Belize City and is one of Belize's signature Maya sites. It is one of the most popular archaeological sites in Belize, particularly for cruise tourists, as it is just a 40-minute drive from the cruise port terminal in Belize City. The site is easily accessible by rental car, taxi, excursion transport, or public bus. Altun Ha is believed to have been a bustling trading city with a population of nearly 10,000 during the Classic Period (200-900 A.D.). Despite its small size, it was a major ceremonial centre and an important trading hub due to its proximity to the coast.

Altun Ha is 30-31 miles from Belize City

Altun Ha is located just off the Northern Highway towards Orange Walk. To get there, you would turn right past Sand Hill onto the Old Northern Highway and then make a left onto Rockstone Pond Road. The site is about an hour's drive from Belize City.

Despite its small size, Altun Ha was a major ceremonial and trading centre during the Classic Period (200-900 AD). Its proximity to the coast made it a strategic location for trade. Altun Ha is also known for its lack of stelae, which were commonly found at other Maya sites.

The site covers an area of about 5 square miles or 8 square kilometres, with a small core area that has been partially restored and is open to the public. Visitors can explore the site on their own or join a guided tour. The site features two plazas, burial mounds, and temple pyramid structures.

One of the most notable features of Altun Ha is the Temple of the Masonry Altars, which is featured on Belize's national beer, Belikin Beer. In 1968, excavations at this temple uncovered the largest Maya carved jade object ever discovered, known as the Jade Head or the Kinich Ahau, the Maya Sun God Head.

It's a 40-minute drive away

Altun Ha is located around 30 to 31 miles from Belize City, and it takes about 40 minutes to drive there. This makes it a perfect day trip for anyone visiting Belize City, especially those arriving by air or sea. The route to Altun Ha is straightforward, and Belize is generally an easy place to drive outside of the city. However, be cautious of surprise speed bumps and avoid driving at night due to wildlife.

There are several transportation options for getting to Altun Ha from Belize City. Renting a car is the cheapest option, costing around $50 to $100 USD per day. This provides the convenience of self-driving and allows for flexibility during your trip. If you're travelling in a small group, taking a taxi can also be a good choice, with van taxis available that can accommodate up to seven people. However, their pricing structure can be less favourable for smaller groups.

For those arriving by cruise ship, booking an excursion is a convenient choice. Excursions typically include transportation, lunch, and a guided tour of Altun Ha. They may also offer add-ons such as a tour of Belize City or cave tubing on the Caves Branch River. These excursions can be booked directly through your cruise ship or through local tour operators.

If you're an adventurous budget traveller, you can also opt for the public bus system, known as the "chicken bus." Take the bus from Belize City up the Northern Highway, and then transfer to the Old Northern Highway at the fork in the road. From there, get off at Rock Stone Pond and navigate the gravel road turnoff that leads to Altun Ha. Keep in mind that bus service on the Old Northern Highway can be infrequent, and you may need to walk about 2 miles to the entrance of Altun Ha.

Altun Ha, also known as "Water of the Rock" in Maya, is one of Belize's signature Maya sites. It was a major ceremonial and trading centre during the Classic Period. Despite its small size, Altun Ha has yielded significant archaeological finds, including the largest Maya carved jade object ever discovered, the famous Jade Head. The site features two plazas, burial mounds, and temple pyramid structures. Visitors can opt for guided or non-guided tours to explore the rich history and archaeological significance of this ancient Maya city.

It's one of Belize's signature Maya sites

Altun Ha, meaning "Water of the Rock" in Maya, is located 31 miles from Belize City and is one of Belize's most significant Maya sites. The site covers an area of about 3.1 square miles and is easily accessible from Belize City, making it a popular day trip for tourists.

Altun Ha is known for being a major ceremonial and trading centre during the Classic Period (200-900 AD). Despite its small size, the site was of great importance due to its strategic location near the coast. Altun Ha is also unique in that no stela were found during excavations. Instead, archaeologists uncovered many valuable artefacts, including the largest Maya carved jade object ever discovered, the famous Jade Head, in 1968.

The site features several plazas, burial mounds, and temple pyramids. The largest of these, the Temple of the Masonry Altars, is featured on Belize's national beer, Belikin Beer. Visitors can explore Altun Ha through guided or non-guided tours and climb some of the structures to take in the surrounding views.

In addition to its archaeological significance, Altun Ha also offers insights into the ancient Maya diet. Research suggests that the Maya who inhabited Altun Ha had a maize-based diet with a significant marine component, including reef resources.

It's an important trading centre

Altun Ha is located about 31 miles (50 kilometres) north of Belize City, in the Belize District, and is one of the closest Maya archaeological sites to the city. It is easily accessible for tourists, who can get there by rental car, taxi, bus, or as part of an excursion. The site covers an area of about 8 square kilometres and is one of Belize's signature Maya sites.

Altun Ha was a major trading and religious centre during the Maya Classic Period, serving as a crucial link between the Caribbean coast and Maya centres in the interior. It was also a wealthy ceremonial centre, boasting two main plazas, thirteen structures, and residential areas. The site is unique in that no stelae were found there, but it is most famous for being the discovery site of the largest Maya jade object: the Jade Head, a large jade carving of the Maya sun god, Kinich Ahau.

The Jade Head, weighing 4.42 kg and standing 14.9 cm tall, is considered the crown jewel of Belize. It was discovered in 1968 in the Temple of the Masonry Altars, along with the skeleton of an adult male believed to be one of the city's rulers, and various other valuable items. The jade used to create this artefact was imported from ancient mines in eastern Guatemala. The Jade Head is now kept in one of the fortified vaults of the Central Bank of Belize and is taken out for rare public showings. A replica is on display at the bank, and its likeness is watermarked on all Belizean currency.

Altun Ha was occupied for many centuries, from around 900 B.C. to A.D. 1000, with the Classic Period from A.D. 400 to A.D. 900 being the time when the city was at its largest. The site was likely a bustling trading post with a population of nearly 10,000. The city's name, given by locals, means "Rockstone Water" in Yucatec Mayan, and is derived from the name of the nearby village, Rockstone Pond. The site's strategic location near the coast and its role as a trading centre made it an important link in the Maya trade network.

It's one of the most popular archaeological sites in Belize

Altun Ha is one of the most popular archaeological sites in Belize. Located just 31 miles north of Belize City, it is easily accessible for tourists, especially those arriving by cruise ship. The site is also known as 'Water of the Rock' in Maya and is one of Belize's signature Maya sites.

Despite its small size, Altun Ha was a major ceremonial and trading centre during the Classic Period. Its proximity to the coast made it an important hub for trade and it is believed to have been home to as many as 10,000 inhabitants over a 1,000-year-long period of occupation. The site features two main plazas, surrounded by towering temples, and is particularly notable for its lack of stelae, which were typically used in ceremonial procedures.

Altun Ha is also famous for the many valuable artefacts uncovered during excavations, including the largest Maya carved jade object ever discovered, known as the Jade Head or the Kinich Ahau. This 10-pound, 6-inch-tall sculpture of the Maya Sun God is considered incredibly significant and is kept under 24-hour guard in a fortified vault of the Central Belize Bank. Other notable discoveries include shell necklaces and ornaments, pottery vessels, stingray spines used in ritual bloodletting, and the remains of a codex, an ancient book made on bark paper.

The largest of Altun Ha's temple-pyramids, the "Temple of the Masonry Altars", is featured on Belize's national beer, Belikin, and is easily recognisable to many Belizeans. The site is open all year round and offers amenities such as free parking, hiking trails, a picnic pavilion, and gift shops. Visitors can explore the site through guided or non-guided tours, making it a convenient and popular choice for those seeking to immerse themselves in the rich history of the Maya civilisation.

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