Belize's Ancient Caves And Ruins

Belize is home to the largest number of ancient Maya ruins in Central America. The country's rich history, pleasant weather, fertile soils, and abundance of marine life in its rivers and estuaries, as well as the offshore Belize Barrier Reef, once fuelled a population explosion during the time of the ancient Maya.

Today, visitors can explore the ancient world of the Maya through Belize's many archaeological sites. In addition to the well-excavated ruins of Caracol, Xunantunich, Lamanai, Nim Li Punit, and Altun Ha, many more large cities are still awaiting exploration in the jungles and rainforests.

Caves were important ceremonial sites for the ancient Maya, and many caves in Belize have been discovered filled with artefacts and treasures left behind by Maya priests.

- Cahal Pech: This site is located just outside of San Ignacio in the Belize River Valley. It is smaller in scale than other ruins, making it a great option for those who want to explore a Maya site in its entirety.

- Xunantunich: To get to this site, you'll need to take a free ferry from San Jose Succotz village across the Mopan River. Catch your breath at the top of El Castillo, Xunantunich's largest temple, and enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding jungle.

- Lamanai: Located in northern Belize, Lamanai is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in the country. It is situated 24 miles south of Orange Walk Town and can be reached by boat from the New River Lagoon.

- Caracol: This is the largest ruin in Belize, located in the Cayo District. Once a powerful city in the Maya world, Caracol is still home to the tallest man-made building in Belize, the Caana pyramid.

- Altun Ha: These ruins are the closest to Belize City and are very easy to walk around, making them a convenient option for those who don't want to venture too far.

- Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave: Deemed the #1 Sacred Cave Destination in the World by National Geographic, this cave is a natural museum providing insight into the world of the ancient Maya. A journey into the ATM Cave is an enlightening and unique experience, as visitors can discover ancient artefacts and a sacred burial place containing the world's oldest fully preserved skeletal remains.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

The tour begins with a 45-minute hike through the jungle to the cave entrance, including three stream crossings. At the mouth of the cave, visitors swim across a small pool into the dark underworld of the cave. Inside, visitors will find an extensive maze of tunnels, passageways, and chambers, including the ceremonial chamber known as "The Cathedral". Here, you will see ancient artefacts, pottery, and skeletal remains, including the famed "Crystal Maiden".

The cave tour is physically challenging, involving climbing, swimming, and navigating through tight spaces. It is essential to wear suitable clothing and footwear, such as hiking shoes and socks, and to bring a change of clothes. The tour lasts approximately eight to nine hours, including transportation, and costs around $125 USD.

The ATM Cave is a unique and enlightening experience, offering insight into the ancient Maya world and their rituals. It is a must-see attraction in Belize, providing a glimpse into the past and a deeper understanding of the Maya civilisation.

Caracol

One of the most notable features of Caracol is the Canaa ("Sky Palace"), which is the tallest man-made structure in Belize, standing at 43 metres (141 feet) tall. It is an enormous pyramid that contains four palaces and three temples. Other notable structures and features within Caracol include 24 religious altars, three large ball courts, five plazas, 24 carved stelae, reservoirs, causeways, and an astronomical observatory. In total, over 35,000 lesser buildings and more than 100 tombs have been identified.

Today, visitors can explore the impressive ruins of Caracol and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty of the Chiquibul Rainforest. The Belizean government has invested in improving the roads leading to Caracol, making it more accessible to tourists.

Lamanai

The majority of visitors to Lamanai take a water taxi or boat from Orange Walk, a trip that usually lasts around four hours, with half of it spent on the river. These boats are open-sided, and as you are in a tropical rainforest, you are likely to get wet. A lunch is typically served upon arrival at the site, followed by a tour. For those who wish to spend more time at the site, it is recommended to travel by vehicle. However, this can be challenging during the rainy season, as the route is along a gravel and dirt road, and four-wheel drive is recommended.

Altun Ha

The site was inhabited from around 1000 BC to 1000 AD, with the earliest monumental construction dating from about 100 BC. Most of the structures at the site date to the Classic Period (200-900 AD), with the largest temple-pyramid, the "Temple of the Masonry Altars", standing at 16 metres high. The site features two large central plazas and pyramids, and a large reservoir constructed by the Maya.

Xunantunich

Excavations have continued at Xunantunich in recent decades, with archaeologists from the University of California (ULA) carrying out continuous digs since 1990. In 1959-60, archaeologist Euan MacKie spent several months excavating the site and uncovered evidence of a sudden disaster that marked the end of the Classic period occupation, possibly an earthquake.

In July 2016, a team led by Dr Jaime Awe discovered an untouched burial chamber containing the corpse of a male aged 20-30, as well as various artefacts.

Frequently asked questions