Belize's Mayan Ruins: A Guide

Belize is home to the largest number of ancient Mayan ruins in Central America. The country has over 600 Mayan sites, including sacred temples, ceremonial pyramids, ancient water reservoirs, and more.

The Mayan ruins in Belize include Caracol, the largest Mayan archaeological site in the country. Located in the Chiquibul Forest, Caracol was once home to more than 120,000 people and is still being excavated today. Another notable site is Lamanai, one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in Belize. Lamanai is known for its ruins as well as its spectacular jungle setting near the New River Lagoon.

Other Mayan ruins in Belize include Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Altun Ha, Nim Li Punit, and El Pilar. These sites offer a glimpse into the ancient world of the Maya civilization, which dominated much of Mesoamerica between 2,000 and 3,000 years ago.

Caracol: the largest Mayan archaeological site in Belize

Caracol, the largest Mayan archaeological site in Belize, is located in the Cayo District of the country. The site, which is approximately 40 kilometres south of San Ignacio, rests on the Vaca Plateau in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. It is elevated at 500 metres above sea-level and covers an area of 200 square kilometres, which is much larger than present-day Belize City, the country's largest metropolitan area.

The original name of the city is unknown, but the ruins are now known as Caracol, a name coined in 1938 by the local British head archaeologist, A. Hamilton Anderson, which means "snail shell" in Spanish. This nickname was given due to the huge amounts of snail shells left behind by the original inhabitants and the winding access road that led to the site.

Caracol was once a powerful city-state that covered more than 65 square miles and was home to more than 100,000 people, far larger than any modern-day city in Belize. The city boasted impressive constructions, including majestic temples, hidden chambers, and tombs. The most famous building in Caracol is the Caana ("Sky Palace"), which is the tallest man-made structure in Belize, standing at 43 metres tall. Other notable structures include the E Complex, the Central Acropolis, and the North Acropolis.

The history of Caracol dates back to at least the Early Pre-Classic period, and the site features structures from the Late Pre-Classic and Early to mid-Classic periods. The city reached its apex during the Classic Period, when it was one of the great city-states, along with Calakmul and Tikal, and played a significant role in forging the destinies of other cities in the Peten region.

Caracol's settlement history has been traced through the discovery of various artefacts and glyphic information retrieved from the site. A dynasty was established by Te' K'ab Chaak in 331 AD, possibly under the influence of Teotihuacan, and continued into the ninth century. A total of 15 kings have been identified, 11 of whom have been named. The last king, Ruler XIII, is commemorated on Stela 10, dated to 859 AD.

Caracol's remote location in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, surrounded by tropical rainforest, makes large-scale archaeological work challenging. However, ongoing excavations and investigations by the Caracol Archaeological Project, directed by Arlen and Diane Chase, have brought this once-great city back to life.

Lamanai: one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites

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Altun Ha: one of Belize's best-excavated sites

Altun Ha, located in the Belize District, is one of the most famous Mayan centres and is considered one of Belize's best-excavated sites. The site is around 31 miles (50 kilometres) north of Belize City and about 6.2 miles (10 kilometres) west of the Caribbean Sea shore. Altun Ha is the name given to the ruins of an ancient Maya city, which was inhabited from around 900 BC to 1000 AD.

The site covers an area of about 8 square kilometres (5 square miles) and is made up of two main plazas, Plaza A and Plaza B, surrounded by temples. Plaza A was mainly used for ceremonial and religious purposes and is home to the Temple of the Green Tomb, the resting place of a Mayan priest-king. The tomb contained around 300 jade objects, including pendants and beads, as well as jaguar hides and a rare bark-book, or codex.

Plaza B, the adjacent plaza, was predominantly used for housing and is where the largest structure in Altun Ha, the Temple of the Masonry Altars, stands. This temple, also known as the Temple of the Sun God, is 16 metres (52 feet) high and is depicted on Belikin beer labels. The temple was expanded several times, with each new structure covering the previous one. During excavations, archaeologists discovered that before each expansion, ceremonies were held, including sacrifices and the smashing of jade objects.

Altun Ha is believed to have been a critical trading post for the Mayan civilisation. Its proximity to the sea and inland trading routes made it a prosperous city, with an estimated population of 8,000 to 10,000 people. The site is also known for its agricultural significance, with evidence of maize-based diets and intensive maize agriculture.

The Altun Ha ruins were first excavated in the 1960s and have since undergone restoration and conservation efforts. Visitors can explore the well-preserved temples and walk through the same paths the Mayans once did. Altun Ha is a popular tourist destination, with easy access to the main temples and manicured grounds, making it a great activity for families.

Xunantunich: a Classic Period ceremonial centre

Xunantunich, meaning "maiden of the rock" or "stone woman" in Maya, is one of the top Mayan sites to visit in Belize. The site is situated on the Western Highway across the Mopan River from the village of San Jose Succotz and can be reached by a free hand-cranked ferry. The site core covers 300 square meters, but the periphery spans several square kilometres.

Xunantunich is believed to be much older than many of the large structures on view, with some experts estimating that people were living there as far back as 3,000 years ago. Once a prosperous city state during the Classical Maya era, it was home to 200,000 people, equivalent to two-thirds of Belize's current population. The original name for the city has been lost, and it was named "Stone Woman" by locals because the site was reportedly haunted by the ghost of a woman dressed in white with glowing red eyes.

Xunantunich is characterised by El Castillo, a 133-foot-tall pyramid that is the second-tallest temple in Belize. The pyramid features well-preserved sun god masks and an astronomical carved frieze. In addition to El Castillo, the site boasts six major plazas, over 25 temples and palaces, and a new museum.

Excavations are ongoing at Xunantunich, with archaeologists working to uncover the site's historical information. The Belize Tourism Development Project has invested over half a million dollars to fully excavate the site and make it more accessible to visitors.

Cahal Pech: the oldest-known ruins in the Belize River Valley

Cahal Pech, meaning "Place of Ticks" in the Yucatec Maya language, is located near the town of San Ignacio in the Cayo District of Belize. It is one of the oldest-known Mayan ruins in Western Belize, with evidence of continuous habitation dating back to around 1200 BCE during the Early Middle Formative Period (Early Middle Preclassic). The site is situated on a hilltop overlooking the confluence of the Macal River and the Mopan River, providing a panoramic view of the surrounding Belize River Valley.

Cahal Pech served as the royal acropolis-palace of an elite Mayan ruling family during the Classic Period, from around 1000 BC to 800 AD. The site consists of seven plazas and over 30 structures, including temples, residential buildings, ball courts, an altar, and a sweat house, all within just 2 acres. One of the temples offers a commanding view of the surrounding valley, making it a standout feature of the complex.

Excavations at Cahal Pech have revealed a rich history and valuable artefacts. A royal burial chamber was discovered, containing a ruler's remains along with shell and bone ornaments, pottery vessels, obsidian blades, and jade objects. The most impressive find was a jade and shell mosaic mask. The site also boasts the earliest known pottery in Western Belize, showcasing the advanced craftsmanship of its ancient inhabitants.

Today, Cahal Pech is an archaeological reserve, housing a small museum that displays artefacts from various ongoing excavations. Visitors can explore the site and gain insights into the ancient Mayan civilisation that once flourished in this region. Cahal Pech is easily accessible from San Ignacio and makes for a fascinating day trip, often combined with visits to nearby Mayan ruins like Xunantunich.

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