Archaeology

Belize shares a rich Maya heritage with neighboring countries like Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras and is considered to have been the heart of Maya civilization during the classic period. Although Belize's Maya occupation began as early as 1500 BC, during the classic period of 250 AD to 900 AD the population is said to have exceeded one million people. Archaeological remains of the ancient Maya include pottery, skeletons, stellae and tall palaces and temples with ceremonial centers.

It is estimated that there are thousands of Maya Ruins in Belize. Only a few have been found and even less excavated by scientists. All of the following sites are available for public viewing.

Some popular Maya sites from north to south of Belize are:

Corozal District: Cerros and Santa Rita

Orange Walk: Lamanai, Nobmul and Cuello

Belize District: Altun Ha

Stann Creek District Mayflower

Cayo District: Xunantunich, El Pilar, Cahal Pech, Pacbitun and Caracol

Toledo District: Nim Li Punit, Ukhenba and Lubaantun.

Click here for Virtual Tour by Archaeological sites.

Caves

Cave systems like Che Chem Ha and Barton Creek Cave in the Cayo District provide evidence of ancient Maya rituals. These include pots used to store food and skeletal remains of people offered as sacrifices to the gods.

Click here to learn more about caving in Belize.

Belize Museum

The Belize Museum houses for public viewing Mayan artifacts gathered from around the country.

All well known and excavated sites are accessible to visitors either traveling alone or on guided tours.

If alone:

Public transportation vehicles like buses can take you to cutoff points along major highways or major towns. You may, however, need to hike for miles so it is normally best to hire a knowledgeable tour guide or tour operator to take you directly to the sites.

If you choose to rent a car, travel in sturdy four-wheel drive vehicles and follow a map to find the sites. Examples include Altun Ha on the Old Northern Highway and Xunantunich near San Jose Succotz Village in Cayo and even the more remote sites like Caracol, Lamanai and Lubaantun. At each of these sites or in the villages near them you are able to hire a tour guide.

Certain sites, for example Cuello, require permission before you make the trip. This is because it is located on private property. Contact the Cuello brothers at 011-501-322-2183. No fee is charged.

Tour Operators

There are various local and international organizations that specialize in arranging archaeological itineraries that cover the country of Belize, and often times, including archaeological attractions in neighboring countries. For information please visit our section on educational travel and if you wish to receive information directly from providers of archaeological travel programs, please fill in our contact form.

The fee for entering Maya Ruins is minimal at approximately $3 US per person, payable upon arrival at the site.

Permission to carry out research on archaeological sites must be obtained from the Department of Archeology.

Department of Archaeology

Belmopan, Belize

Telephone: 011-501-822-2227

Fax: 011-501-822-3345

All ancient monuments (100+ years old) and antiques (man made items 150+ years old) are the property of the state. Possession, removal or destruction of these is illegal. Buying or selling them is also illegal.

The Department of Archaeology is committed to developing Mayan archaeological locations in Belize for easier access to the casual tourist.

Tour guides and tour operators must participate in a training program in courses like Maya History and field studies in order to be certified to carry out tours to these sites.

For a little added information, good books on Maya history are:

Warlords and Maize Men: A guide to the Maya Sites of Belize

Belizean Bullets published by the Department of Archaeology in Belize

For a more educational tour use the services of a licensed tour guide.

Find out about the accessibility of the site/s you wish to visit before you make the trip especially if you choose to use public transportation.

Carry along snacks and water supply for these trips especially for sites in remote areas. This is also important if traveling with children.