Highlights
- Ancient Maya City
- Hiking
- History
- Wildlife
About Location
The Altun Ha archaeological site is one of Belize's most excavated and restored sites. The name is roughly translated from a new nearby Yucatec Maya village, "Rockstone Pond".
Altun Ha was a major Maya city during the Classic Period (250-900 AD). The city had a population of about ten thousand inhabitants and was a center of trade and commerce. Altun Ha is known for its beautiful temples and palaces, as well as its rich history.
One of the most famous artifacts found at Altun Ha is the Jade Head. The Jade Head is a carved jade mask that was found in a tomb at the site. The mask is believed to represent a Maya ruler and is one of the most important artifacts of Maya culture.
Altun Ha is a popular tourist destination and is easily accessible from Belize City. The site is open to the public and offers a variety of activities, including guided tours, hiking, and birdwatching.
If you are interested in ancient Maya culture, Altun Ha is a must-visit destination. The site is a fascinating glimpse into the past and is sure to leave you in awe.
Tours & Shuttles
“No’hoch Che’en” national park has one of the most relaxing cave experiences in Belize. Here you will be fitted with a helmet, a headlight, a life jacket, and an appropriate flotation ... moretube. We take a 45-minute relaxing ride down the lazy river and under the jungle canopy. We make sure nobody stays in the underworld! It is a 30 – 45 minute hike to the entrance of the caves. Once we reach the entrance you will board your floating tubes and be navigated through the underworld by one of our experienced guides.
In the caves, you will see eagles, turtles, mammoths, sharks, jellyfish, Indiana Jones, and even Darth Vador. Once we exit the caves you will continue down the lazy river for another 15 minutes right back to the starting point of the tour. It will be one of the most peaceful and relaxing days of your life.
Departure time is 8:00 - 8:30 am
From Belize City
Things to wear:
comfortable walking shoes, water shoes, comfortable athletic clothes, bathing suits, sun block, and bug spray.
The Mayan site of Altun Ha is located just 30 miles north of Belize City. This small but impressive Maya ruin offers detailed information about this amazing civilization that existed ... morein this part of the world thousands of years ago. This tour starts in Belize City. You will be picked up from anywhere you choose within the Belize city area by your licensed driver/guide. You will then be driven north of Belize City for approximately 1 hour. Along the way, your guide will be providing valuable information about our beautiful country. You also get to view the historic Belize River and pass through several villages as well. Once at the site, you will get a chance to use the restrooms after which you make your way to the entrance of the site where your driver/guide will be waiting. Before entering the site your guide will have you go through the museum where you will be presented with much more information about the site. Whilst in the company of your guide you will then make your way to the site itself to view the amazing structures in the two plazas. You will be able to take as many pictures as you like as well as to climb a couple of these ancient buildings culminating with your trek on top of the tallest structure the Temple of the Masonry Altar which was dedicated to the Sun God Kinach Ahou. Once finish at the site you get a chance to shop with the local artisan to get you authentic Belizean arts and crafts. From here you make your way back to Belize City.
Departs From: Caye Caulker
You’ll depart from the island of Caye Caulker by sea on San Pedro Belize Express water ferry or by air on Maya Island Air; the choice is yours. Our guides will meet you upon mainland ... morearrival in Belize City before heading off to see this beautiful Maya Temple with wide-open spaces. The temples are easily climbed and are not as tall as Lamanai and Xunantunich.
After trekking an ancient home of the Maya, you’ll head west for a 90-minute drive towards Jaguar Paw for tubing. Once at the outpost, you will meet your tour guides who will issue inflatable tubes, headlamps, and life vests. You’ll be given a basic orientation and safety briefing before heading off on a 30-minute hike which includes wading through a few knee-deep water streams. Don’t let the hike worry you though; as it’s mostly on flat terrain, it is enjoyable and informative. It’s shaded by the rainforest canopy and our tour guides will point out flora and fauna noteworthy to the area. Once at the entrance of the cave system, it’s time for your cave-tubing adventure through the ancient Maya underworld. Inside, you’ll see intricate crystalline formations that line the cave with a majestic rise and fall of stalagmites and stalactites that add to the serene richness and grandiosity of Xibalba as it’s known.
If there’s time, and you’re open to added adventure, our guides may stop at the mini waterfall and swimming area. After leaving the falls, you’ll emerge into the sunlight and free float downstream, ushered by the gentle current and little rapids, to the harmony of birds and natural wildlife which routes back to where the tour started
Altun Ha Mayan Ruin Is the Mayan Ruin which the temple of the “Green Tomb.” Founded. They also found a solid jade head weighing almost 10 pounds and standing 6 inches in height. This ... moretreasure is the largest jade carving found at any Mayan Ruin, and it discovered in the temple of the “Sun God,” which is the tallest building, standing 54 feet from the plaza floor. On this fully guided tour around historic Belize City, you will see many places of interest, including the ancient swing bridge over Haulover Creek, which is turned open by human resources. You’ll also visit the oldest Anglican cathedral in Central America, St. John’s Cathedral built from bricks used as ballast in sailing ships of old. Directly across the street, you, will visit Government House, once home to the colonial Governors and now a museum.
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