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.

Archaeology Sites

• Altun Ha Mayan Ruins
• Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins
• Caracol Mayan Ruins
• Cerros Mayan Ruins
• Cuello Mayan Ruins
• El Pilar Mayan Ruins
• Lamanai Mayan Ruins
• Las Milpas Mayan Ruins
• Lubaantun Mayan Ruins
• Mayan Ruins of Santa Rita
• Mayflower Mayan Ruins
• Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruins
• Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

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.

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.

Belize Museum

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

Accessibility

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. 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.

Fees

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