The Maya people are an ethnic group that used to be one of the most advanced civilizations in pre-Columbian times. They were spread out in city states and settlements across modern-day Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. About 5 million descendants of the Maya exist today, though the once-glorious Mayan cities are now ruins.
The Mayan ruins in Belize are some of the most popular in Central America, including Altun Ha, Caracol, and Lamanai. Belize has the widest variety and number of Mayan ruins and thus gives the best glimpse into the splendor and advanced development of the ancient Mayan civilization.
Read on for an overview of the Mayan ruins in Belize, including a guide to the best tourist attractions. I’ll also list and go over the most popular ruins, highlighting the unique aspects of each.
Why You Should Visit the Mayan Ruins in Belize
Most people visit the Mayan ruins to fulfill their sense of adventure and understand the Maya civilization.
The Mayan culture had a lot to offer, including impressive architecture, significant wealth, and advanced religious practices. Traces of these elements can be found in the Mayan ruins and serve as a huge attraction to tourists.
Belize has a variety of ruins that give Belizean tourists a comprehensive image of the Maya civilization at its peak. The country boasts some of the most important religious and trade centers in Maya history, including Altun Ha, Caracol, and Lamanai.
Most of the major ruins in Belize are of huge significance to Maya history.
While you’ll have several options, you can choose to visit the most significant ruins or the ones that appeal to you most.
Whichever ruins you choose to visit, be sure to pay attention to your guide. Most guides are treasure troves of information and will meaningfully improve your experience.
Are the Xunantunich Mayan ruins considered one of the top sites to visit in Belize?
Yes, the Xunantunich Mayan ruins are definitely considered one of the top sites to visit in Belize. It offers a fascinating experience for anyone interested in exploring ancient Mayan ruins in Belize. With its impressive structures and rich history, it is a must-see destination for history enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
The Most Visited Mayan Ruins in Belize
There are numerous Mayan ruins in Belize, though you’re not allowed to visit all of them as a tourist. Still, you can make the most of your exploration of the Mayan culture by visiting key sites.
One of the advantages of Mayan ruins is that they have many common features. You can get a pretty good sense of Mayan culture by visiting a few ruins.
If you are pressed for time, visiting one of the ruins in the list below with an experienced guide will help you make the most of your time and give you a great experience:
- Caracol
- Altun Ha
- Xunantunich
- Lamanai
- Lubaantun
If you have a couple of days to spare, you can visit several of the ruins. Each of the ruins I talk about in this article have something that sets them apart from other ruins, earning them a place on every adventurer’s itinerary.
Below is an overview of each listed site, along with a discussion of the highlights that earned them a place on this list.
Caracol
The highlights of a trip to Caracol include:
- The journey to and from Caracol.
- The prestigious history of Caracol.
- The Sky Palace.
Below is an overview of how these items will enrich your Caracol experience.
The Trip to and From Caracol
The Caracol ruins are located in a forest reserve called Chiquibul. In addition to the rich history of the Maya civilization from the ruins, you’ll get an intimate experience of the jungle.
According to the tour operator you choose, your journey could be punctuated with stops at caves and swimming holes, adding to the excitement of the trip.
The Prestigious History of Caracol
At the height of its glory, Caracol was grand, even bigger than modern-day Belize City. It is said to be the city that ended the reign of one of the mightiest Mayan cities: Tikal.
The Caracol ruins are so extensive that it would be impossible to explore them in a day. Moreover, a considerable part of the once-majestic city is yet to be excavated.
Adding to the allure of these ruins are a variety of notable structures, including:
- Alters
- Reservoirs
- An astronomical observatory
- Ball courts
The Sky Palace
One of the perks of visiting the ruins at Caracol is you get to climb the tallest building in Belize. The Sky Palace (Caana) is not only the tallest building in the ruins but is also taller than all other modern buildings in the entire country.
Most guided tours of Caracol end on a high note by climbing the Caana. The view from the top is spectacular.
An exciting feature of the palace is its acoustics. It was made such that priests and rulers could make announcements effortlessly heard by large audiences.
Altun Ha
The Altun Ha ruins are the most popular in Belize. Below are the most notable features of visiting them:
- It takes just an hour to get there.
- A variety of birds and wildlife.
- Unique artifacts.
- The temple of masonry altars.
Below is an explanation of each feature.
It Takes Just an Hour To Get There
The Altun Ha ruins are the most popular because they are the easiest to visit. It takes one hour to get there from Belize City. The ride is short enough that you can take a taxi.
Most taxis will wait up to two and a half hours, giving you enough time to explore the site. It’s not as extensive as some of the other famous ruins in Belize.
Because of the site’s popularity with tourists, sometimes it can get crowded. To avoid crowds, some of which usually come from cruise ships, you should check with your tour operator.
A Variety of Birds and Wildlife
A visit to Altun Ha will give you a general feel of the Mayan culture and civilization. The ruins have the most common features of a Mayan city, including temples and pyramids.
However, Altun Ha lacks the grandeur or rich history of other ruins, such as Xunantunich and Caracol.
But if you love birds and wildlife, you’ll find a visit to Altun Ha satisfying. The location of the ruins is home to hundreds of species of birds in addition to:
- White-tailed deer
- Foxes
- Agouti
- Armadillos
Unique Artifacts
Altun Ha is home to at least two famous artifacts, which are significant to both the citizens of Belize and the Maya civilization.
The top left corner of Belizean bank notes features the image of a treasured artifact. That artifact is found at Altun Ha. Tourists can see it for an extra fee.
The other notable artifact at Altun Ha is a jade carving of the Mayan sun god – Kinich Ahau. It’s one of the largest carved jade items discovered at any Mayan ruin.
The Temple of Masonry Altars
The Mayan ruins in Belize have numerous temples, a number of which are exceptional. But the most noteworthy, at least according to Belize’s national beer, is the Temple of Masonry Altars located in Altun Ha.
The temple is featured on Belize’s national beer: Belikin.
It’s also called the Temple of the Sun God, compounding its mystique.
In addition to its legendary stature, the temple is an architectural attraction. It has seven layers of tombs and is a classic example of the pyramid building technique.
Xunantunich
The most notable features of a trip to Xunantunich include:
- Getting to Xunantunich
- The architecture
- Myths and religion
- The howler monkeys
Below is an explanation of each of the aspects of the journey.
Getting to Xunantunich
You are probably used to driving and hiking to tourist destinations. However, you can’t get to Xunantunich just by driving. Your journey will involve a ferry ride across a river, and, if you feel adventurous, you could add a horse ride as well.
Exploring the jungle on horseback and crossing a river on an old but well-maintained ferry adds to the allure of Xunantunich. Even before you get there, you are already having fun.
The Architecture
If you are into architecture, you are bound to find the Xunantunich ruins exciting. The buildings there perfectly embody a captivating architectural style: E-Group, which was characteristic of many Mayan building plans.
In addition, there are many notable buildings at the ruin. Some of them, such as El Castillo (The Castle), feature striking architectural elements like intricate stucco friezes.
Myths and Religion
The myths and legends of ancient civilizations can be captivating. Xunantunich has its fair share of legends, as your guide will tell you.
The name Xunantunich itself means stone woman, a ghost clothed in white. The spirit is said to climb the castle and disappear at the top. Legend has it that she has been spotted with glowing red eyes.
Xunantunich also has a healthy dose of architecture inspired by religion. As you admire the architecture, your guide will likely regale you with tales of beautiful Mayan goddesses and their tragedies.
The Howler Monkeys
A trip to Xunantunich is likely to feature a performance by the howler monkeys. They are one of the loudest animals in Belize. As their name suggests, they howl a lot. It’s their way of defending territory.
They are found in relative abundance around the Xunantunich ruins. If you are lucky, you might spot their sleek black bodies in addition to hearing them howl.
Lamanai
Lamanai is a popular ruin in Belize. In addition to providing a rich showcase of Mayan culture and history, it also shows evidence of occupation by European colonial powers.
Below are the highlights of a visit to the Lamanai ruins:
- An exciting river trip
- Impressive temples
- Evidence of colonial occupation
An Exciting River Trip
You can get to Lamanai by traveling on a road. However, most tourists prefer a boat ride on the New River. It’s far more exciting and saves time.
The boat ride features interesting stopovers. You can stop to feed spider monkeys, which are used to being fed by tourists. Your boat ride will take you to a lagoon just next to the ruins.
The lagoon is full of crocodiles, which is the origin of the name Lamanai.
Crocodiles aren’t the only wildlife you’ll experience on the journey. As you move along the river, you should watch for snail kites, iguanas, and lily trotters.
Impressive Temples
Lamanai has several noteworthy temples, including:
- The Mask Temple
- The Jaguar Temple
- The Stela Temple
- The High Temple
The names aptly describe each temple.
The High Temple is, as its name suggests, quite tall. A climb to the top is rewarded with a breathtaking view of the surrounding area, including the New River.
The Jaguar Temple features a prominent Jaguar head and the Mask Temple has tall limestone masks decorated with crocodile headdresses.
Evidence of Colonial Occupation
The ruins at Lamanai tell the story of the interaction of the Maya with foreign powers. To start with, you’ll see the ruins of Spanish churches, which suggests Spanish occupation.
There is also a ruined sugar mill believed to have been built by British colonialists.
Lubaantun
If you are interested in learning about the Maya, you should include the Lubaantun ruins in your itinerary.
The highlights of a visit to Lubaantun include:
- Unique architecture.
- An authentic cultural experience in a nearby village.
Unique Architecture
The architecture at Lubaantun doesn’t feature engraved stelae, making it stand out from the architecture at other Mayan ruins.
Additionally, the Mayans at Lubaantun didn’t use mortar while building, which is also unique. Instead, building stones were made to fit precisely into the structures, sort of like pieces in a puzzle.
The architecture, including plazas and ball courts, gives a glimpse into what Lubaantun once was: a thriving trade, administrative, and ceremonial hub.
An Authentic Cultural Experience in a Nearby Village
A guided exploration of the Lubaantun ruins will leave you feeling quite knowledgeable about the ancient Maya.
But a visit to Lubaantun offers a unique opportunity. You get to relive the Maya culture your guide taught you about.
A twenty-minute drive will take you to the nearby village of Big Falls. There, you can experience the life of a Maya. You get to learn about traditional herbs and make an authentic Mayan meal.
Conclusion
Touring the Mayan ruins in Belize is a great way to learn about Mayan civilization and history. It’s also an opportunity to admire the architectural prowess of the Maya and interact with the jungle.
There are numerous Mayan ruins in Belize. However, most of them feature typical Mayan architecture and give tourists a similar experience.
A few, such as the ones I’ve listed in this article, have unique attractions in the form of architecture or significance. Another aspect of visiting the Mayan ruins is the journey, which can be remarkable depending on the ruins you visit.
