Mayan Ruins to Visit While Traveling to Belize

What would a trip to Belize be without a trip to the ancient archeological pyramids? These amazing Mayan structures are a sight to see, alone or with a licensed tour guide. Most Belize vacation packages include a visit to one or two Mayan ruins. When making travel arrangements make sure to have ample time to explore. Unless you have a lot of time, you will have to choose which ones to see and which ones to save for another trip. Oh, and don't forget a good pair of hiking shoes if you dare climb all the way to the top!

Altun Ha

If you are heading up north from Belize City plan to visit Altun Ha, roughly about a 30 minute drive from the city through the old Northern Highway. Altun Ha means "Water of the Rock" or "Stone Water" since it was built around a reservoir. With its many temples, Altun Ha, located in the Belize District, appeared to be a major ceremonial center, and with its proximity to the Caribbean Sea a trade link to the other Mayan cities further inland.

Altun Ha is well-known for the recovery of the largest carved jade item in all of the Mayan cities. This jade head was named Kinich Ahau and represented the Sun God. It is now featured on the Belize dollar.

Lamanai

On the west side of the new Northern Highway in the Orange Walk District, almost parallel to Altun Ha ruins, is Lamanai. While you can get there by land or water, the scenic way is the latter. About a ninety minute trip either way, the boat route is said to be the most fascinating for the nature adventurer with views of some of Belize's most exotic flora and fauna along the river bank.

Lamanai is one of the most intriguing of the Mayan ruins, if for no other reason than of its long period of use. It is said to have housed both the Maya and later the Spanish for over 3,800 years. The two Christian churches and sugar mill at the site, shows evidence that there was intermingling between both cultures up until the 1600s. Lamanai actually comes from Lamana Yin, its original Mayan name which means "submerged crocodile." There are rich examples of unusual Mayan architecture and art to be found at the ruin.

Guided Tours to Altun Ha and Lamanai from Ambergris Caye

On most days there are tour groups that come to Altun Ha and Lamanai from Ambergris Caye and Belize City. Tours via Ambergris are most common as it the main beach stay for Belize travelers. From the island, tourists enjoy the boat ride to the mainland Belize and then the scenic ride by boat to Lamanai or by road to Altun Ha. Tanisha Tours is a well-known guided tour to both Mayan ruins. You will enjoy top-quality guide of the mayan sites as well as Belize's flora and fauna as you travel towards these ancient temples. The resort or hotel you stay at should be able to help you with mayan tour reservations. If you travel alone or a couple, sometimes, its best to wait until you get to your stay in Belize before making tour reservations. In many cases, depending on the season or the number of groups, rates may vary. You can always tack on to a group and save yourself some travel money or use it to treat the group to an extra Belikin or your favorite tropical drink when you get back to the caye.

Xunantunich

Traveling into the Cayo District, down the Western Highway, is the most visited and famous Mayan site in Belize, Xunantunich (zoo-nahn-too-neech). Its name means "Maiden of the Rock" in Mayan or "stone lady." The site is located on a hilltop across the Mopan River about a mile from the village of San Jose Succotz and roughly a couple miles east of the western border to Guatemala. A hand-cranked ferry will carry you and your vehicle across the river.

Xunantunich was not properly protected or excavated in the early years, and so it lost some of its burial goods and hieroglyphics. Depressions in the site show signs of dynamite being used as a form of excavation. From the early 1990s though, more attention has been given to its restoration.

El Castillo (The Castle), the second tallest Mayan temple in Belize, standing about 130 feet tall has an elaborate stucco frieze (see photo) that once wrapped around the ruin. Many hours of labor have been invested in restoring this Mayan mural. From the top you can get a breathtaking, panoramic view of the entire valley below including San Jose Succotz, Benque Viejo Del Carmen and the border town of Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala. There is a museum that holds many artifacts found at the location, including the few carved stelae (stone tablets) that were discovered there. A timeline of the Mayan Civilization and where Xunantunich comes into play, as well as a 3-D model of the entire site is also on display.

Tikal

Tikal is a Mayan site that is actually in Guatemala. Many tours go there from Belize, about a 90 minute drive from the Belize-Guatemala Western border. It is probably the largest archeological excavation site on the continent. This ancient city holds more wonders than you can possibly see in one day.

There are several temples, the tallest one being 230 feet tall, towering over the jungle canopy. For the movie buff, these Mayan structures were actually in the original movie Star Wars, representing the Massassi temples on the fourth moon of Yavin. Over 3,000 structures cover the area, from palaces and ceremonial structures to ball courts and steam baths. Aside from the archeological sites, the sights and sounds of howler monkeys and tropical birds throughout the area, completes the scenery. This Mayan city of Tikal is simply impressive and well worth a full-day (or two) trip.

Tours to Xunantunich and Tikal

While tours to Xunantunich and Tikal come from all over Belize and the Cayes, a number of tourists decide to make their stay inland. For the nature adventurer there are plenty of hotels and resorts to stay in the Cayo District, at the Mountain Pine Ridge area, San Ignacio town or resorts around the area. Two resorts close-by are Clarissa Falls Resort and Mopan River Resort. For the budget-minded and independent-traveler, Clarissa Falls Resort gives you a nice and cozzy, nature stay. For the couples or slightly larger groups the Mopan River Resort offers an all-inclusive, almost worry-free stay. All-inclusive, from the transfers to the meals and tours, no need to worry, its all included. Both resorts are about a 90-minute drive to Tikal and only a few minutes away from Xunantunich by road or by river or even about a 2-mile hike through the lush forest.

If Mayan ruins are what you want to see, Belize is the right place to come to. You will be in awe not just of the history and sight of these temples, but the amazing work that goes into restoring these ancient structures. They are all there waiting to be explored. The only question is, when and how many do you have the time to see?