Cities of the Maya in Belize

Visitors to Belize can explore a wide array of Maya archaeological sites, from ceremonial centers and temple pyramids to causeways and stelae.

• Altun Ha: Located 30 miles northwest of Belize City, Altun Ha was an important trading center during the Classic Period. The site covers approximately five square miles, with two main plazas and at least 13 temples. The largest temple-pyramid, the “Temple of the Masonry Altars”, is 54 feet high. Altun Ha can be visited from Belize City and Ambergris Caye.

• Cahal Pech: Situated near San Ignacio, this medium-sized Maya site overlooks the Macal River. Cahal Pech was the estate of an elite Maya family, with structures dating as far back as 900 BC

• Caracol: Deep within the foothills of the Maya Mountains, Caracol is Belize’s largest known ancient city. Rediscovered in 1938, excavations did not begin here in earnest until the mid-1980s. Archeologists soon realized the importance of the city. Caracol’s largest pyramid, Canaa (Sky Place) stands 140 feet high. The city’s population likely exceeded 120,000. Caracol’s inscriptions detail victories over Tikal and Naranjo. Evidence suggests settlement at Caracol as early as 3200 years ago, but most construction—over 40 monuments—dates to the Classic Period. The surrounding settlements are thought to cover 65 square miles, little of which has been excavated to date.

• El Pilar: Located 12 miles north of San Ignacio, El Pilar is the largest known Maya site on the Belize River. Over 100 acres, containing at least 25 plazas, connected by limestone causeways.  El Pilar is thought to have been an administrative center, with a peak population estimated at 20,000. Hundreds of buildings have been identified through selective excavation.

• La Milpa: Situated in the Rio Bravo Conservation Area, La Milpa is thought to be Belize’s third-largest Maya site. Its early excavations have uncovered plazas, ball courts, and tombs. Access is typically via Chan Chich

• Lamanai: Located on the New River Lagoon and surrounded by jungle, Lamanai is one of the most beautiful settings in Belize. This site also had one of the longest occupations: from 1500 BC until the arrival of the Spanish. Lamanai retains its original name, meaning “Submerged Crocodile”. Highlights include several temples and giant stone masks.  The largest temple, N10-43, is the tallest known Pre-Classic structure in the Maya world. Getting to Lamanai is part of the adventure; most visitors arrive by boat and the one-hour river trip provides opportunities to see howler monkeys, crocodiles, and colorful birds

• Nim Li Punit: Discovered in 1976, this ceremonial site is known for its stelae, tombs, and a recently established on-site museum. Its name, meaning “Big Hat” in Kekchi Maya, refers to a ruler depicted on one of the stelae

• Lubaantun: Near the town of San Pedro Colombia, Lubaantun is southern Belize’s largest ceremonial center. Constructed without the extensive use of mortar, the site houses eleven major structures, clustered around five plazas. Accordingly, the masonry here is of very high-quality.

• Xunantunich: Perched above the Mopan River near San Ignacio, Xunantunich is one of the most accessible and well-excavated Maya sites in all of Belize. Xunantunich features plazas and temples, the largest of which (known as El Castillo) rises 130 feet, offering visitors views of the distant Guatemalan border. Most of the structures at Xunantunich date from 600 to 900AD; the end of the Classic Period. Several intricate stelae unearthed here are now protected from the weather in the site’s museum. Visitors arrive by a hand-cranked car ferry or via horseback and mountain bike