Visiting Belize

Traveling to a foreign country is an adventure to embrace at least once in a lifetime; however, language barriers can take away from the fullness of the experience, as explorers struggle to understand the culture, the history, and everything else the country has to offer. Guided tours, presented in the traveler's language, are an option, but they are also very limiting for the adventurous type.

Such dilemma is not present when traveling to Belize. With the Caribbean Sea to the right and Guatemala to the west and south, Belize, the only English speaking country in Central America, offers an experience beyond compare.

Rich in Mayan history and culture, Belize saw the dawn of civilization around 1000 B.C.
Reaching its peak between 250 A.D. and 900 A.D., the Mayan civilization, centered on religion, flourished into well rounded societies discovering and developing concepts in astronomy, mathematics, architecture, art, and agriculture.[1]

Mayans created the first calendar system and the idea of the number zero; they left behind complex buildings, mostly dedicated to religious ceremonies, breathtaking artwork and jewelry, and underground rainwater storages where above ground water was scarce.[2]

Today, what is left of this remarkable civilization are ruins scattered across Belize and neighboring countries of the Yucatan Peninsula, and that is still good because, in the words or J. Eric Thompson, Archeologist, "Maya culture is still very much alive; one sees the present in the past and the past in the present."[3]

Considered to be the largest Mayan site in Belize and one of the largest of the whole civilization, Caracol (meaning Snail[4]) was inhabited by 200,000 or more at the height of its development. Built within the Chiquibul Forest, the best time to visit it is during the dry season, from November to May.[5] The largest construction in Caracol is a pyramid known as Caana. On top of this pyramid sit three temples overlooking the surrounding area. Along with Caana, Caracol showcases an observatory, five plazas, two ball courts and several thousand buildings.[6]

North of Caracol rests the third largest Mayan city, Lamanai (Submerged Crocodile[7]). Its secluded location allowed for the longest occupation of all Mayan conglomerates: the site was home to the civilization for over three millenniums. With its temples towering above the forest, visitors can enjoy views of the forest and surrounding areas. Unique to Lamanai is the layering of the buildings: new structures were added to the pre-existing ones instead of being built in their place.[8]

Xunantunich (Stone Woman[9]) lies south of Lamanai, on the Guatemalan border. From the top of El Camino, the largest pyramid on site, the view opens to neighboring Guatemala and Cayo District, which includes the important centers of San Ignacio and Santa Elena.

About 45 minutes east of San Ignacio, and another 45 minutes hike through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve lies the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave (Cave of the Stone Sepulcher[10]), also known as the ATM cave. Swimmers can access this well preserved ceremonial site inclusive of chambers, a Cathedral, in which sacrifices took place, and human remains showing in the limestone, all well preserved in their original environment.[11]

Aside from the impressive remains of the Mayan civilization of a time past, a visit to Belize is worth the time because of the cultural expressions kept alive by the remnant of the local Mayan population.
Mayan women still wear hand-woven and colorful clothes identifying the community to which they belong.They still use the slash and burn method used by their ancestors to farm the lands and religion, with its set of beliefs and ceremonies, although mixed with Catholicism, is still an important part of their lives.[12]

[1]http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/camerica/bz.htm
http://www.belizenet.com/history/chap1.html
http://www.mayadiscovery.com/ing/history/maya-history/informe.htm
[2]http://www.lost-civilizations.net/mayan-history.html
[3]http://www.mayadiscovery.com/
[4]http://www.belizenet.com/belizefacts2.html
[5]http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/parkchiquibul.html
http://www.belize.com/belize-annual-rainfall.html
[6]http://www.belizex.com/caracol.htm
[7]http://www.belizenet.com/belizefacts2.html
[8]http://www.belize-vacation.com/belize/lamanai.htm
[9]http://www.belizenet.com/belizefacts2.html
[10]http://www.greendragonbelize.com/actuntunichilmuknal.html
[11]http://www.travelbelize.org/attractions/caves/actun-tunichil-muknal-cave-atm-2.html
http://www.greendragonbelize.com/actuntunichilmuknal.html
[12]http://www.criscenzo.com/jaguarsun/mayanow.html