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