The Most Popular Maya Ruins in Belize You Must Visit

Belize is literally filled with Maya Archaeology Sites! Whether it has been excavated or not, you can climb up a Maya Site in any district of Belize. Most of these sites are just a few miles away from any major town or city. They can also be located in a village.

Although you can visit these sites on your own, it is recommended that you take along a guide or ask for a guide to get the most out of your tour. The guides, who you can hire from a tour company or at the site, are well trained with all the facts and stories about the Maya Ruin that will make your trip worthwhile. Tour guides in Belize must pass a rigorous examination each year to keep up to date with the knowledge for the tours they lead.

Tip: Belizeans enter for free on Sundays and Public and Bank Holidays. Just make sure you have an official document to show your nationality.

We often get asked, "What are the Must See Mayan Ruins in Belize?". The Institute of Archaeology in Belize manages a total of 10 sites that have been excavated. Here are our top 5 popular Maya Sites in Belize that you MUST visit on your next trip:

Xunantunich is one of my most favorite Maya Ruins to visit. It is not too far from San Ignacio Town, about 7 miles, which makes it super accessible virtually anyone. From San Ignacio, you take a short 15-minute car ride to the village of San Jose Succotz to get there. To get to the actual site, you’d have to cross on the hand-cranked ferry, then drive or hike up a steep little hill. Once you’ve made it to the top of the hill, you’ll be greeted by the visitors’ center/collection booth and parking lot.

After paying your entrance fee, you can finally hike up the many, and large steps of Xunantunich’s largest temple, El Castillo. The view from the top of the temple is simply breathtaking! Don’t go too far out on the edge though! You wouldn’t want to be a sacred human sacrifice to the gods. Oh, and in case your tour guide doesn’t tell you, the name, “Xunantunich” translates to “Maiden of the Rock” or “Stone Lady.”

Entrance Fee:
Belizeans: $5 BZD
Non-Belizeans: $10 BZD

After enjoying all the views and hiking, you might be a little hungry. No problemo amigo! Benny’s Kitchen will be glad to serve up a nice plate of rice and beans with stewed chicken and potato salad or their special local chicken soup. Gosh, thinking about their food makes me hungry too!

The “Submerged Crocodile!” Lamanai was built in the Orange Walk District, right on the banks of the New River Lagoon. If you are planning to visit Lamanai, I’d advise you to get to the site via water taxi or boat. See the beauty that nature has to offer in such little space! You’d be amazed at the water birds, trees, mangroves and even crocodiles along the way! Yes, you’ll be able to spot a croc in the river! Too bad it’s a ‘No Petting’ zone. You also have the option of driving to the site through a dirt road of about 28 miles. Traveling from Orange Walk, you'll be passing through the villages of of San Felipe and Shipyard. When your boat docks at the pier, you’ll be hiking up a little trail that leads you to the Maya Ruins. If you love the flora composition that exists in Belize, then you’ll love your visit at Lamanai. Why? Because you’ll be able to see Belize’s National Flower, The Black Orchid, and Belize’s National Tree, The Mahogany Tree. If you’d like to read about our trip at Lamanai, check out our blog here.

If you love views, you should definitely climb up the second temple at Lamanai! It is the tallest structure on the site. Make sure that you get a guide that will have you fascinated with the history and stories from the ancient Mayas that once lived on the site. From there, you can overlook the canopy of tree branches and even spot a few birds if you’re into birdwatching – get those cameras ready, you might never know what kind of exotic Belizean birds you’ll get to see. If you’d like to know what kind of birds you’ll be able to spot in Belize, check out our 15 Beautiful Birds from Belize blog from our guest author, Patrick O’Donnell.

Here’s a challenge for you! If you’ve been to Lamanai and have photographed yourself with the mask inside the mask temple, post it on Facebook and tag us at @gobelizing!

Entrance Fee:
Belizeans: $5 BZD
Non-Belizeans: $10 BZD

Altun Ha is one of more popular Maya Sites in the eastern part of Belize. It is located about 31 miles north of the Ol’ Capital of Belize City. You’ll be traveling on the newly named, Philip Goldson Highway, previously named “Old Northern Highway.” Altun Ha is one of the more larger archaeological sites with two main plazas and 13 structures. As you will be able to see, it was a wealthy ceremonial center. The name “Altun Ha” translates to “Rock Stone Pond” after the large water reservoir on the site.

I’m pretty sure that you’ll be having a blast exploring all the structures and learning the history of the site. You might be wondering, what’s there to learn from this Maya ruin that I haven’t learned from the other Maya ruins? Well, you’ll be surprised with the unique narratives that each site tells just from the architecture of the temples.

Entrance Fee:
Belizeans: $5 BZD
Non-Belizeans: $10 BZD

Another Maya Archaeological Site located in the Cayo District – the best is in the west, not just because it rhymes! Getting to Caracol is an adventure in itself. It is an approximate drive of 52 miles from San Ignacio Town. You’ll be traveling into the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, where you will be in awe of all the natural beauty and richness of Belize. The once thriving Caracol was of great economic and political influence.

On the site, there is a massive structure named “Caana,” also known as the “Sky Place.” This impressive temple, as complex as it is, stands as the tallest human-made construction in Belize to this date. Amazing isn’t it! If you’ve already forgotten the name of this site, it is named “Caracol,” which translates to “Snail” in Spanish. Why it’s called “Snail?” Take a tour and ask your guide!

Entrance Fee:
Belizeans: $5 BZD
Non-Belizeans: $10 BZD

You’ve heard about all the other sites from Orange Walk, Belize City and Cayo; but, now it’s time to take a detour to the southern regions of Belize – Toledo. In Toledo, there are two sites on the map – Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun. It breaks my heart to choose one out of the two but I’m going to recommend you to visit Lubaantun. Wondering how to pronounce the name? Ask a local to say it in the local Creole accent and try repeating it. I’m sure you’ll have a laugh.

Lubaantun means the “Place of the Fallen Stones.” As described by the name, the buildings at the site is noted for the large stones that were placed on top of each other with no mortar to bind them together. Although they can be seen as a pile of loose rocks, the structures hold a picturesque appearance that will intrigue any visitor. This site is located about 20 miles from the southernmost town of Punta Gorda.

Entrance Fee:
Belizeans: $5 BZD
Non-Belizeans: $10 BZD

Well, that’s 5 popular Maya Archaeological Sites that are must-sees when visiting Belize! If you’ve been to these sites already, share your experiences with us through Facebook – make sure to tag us! Don’t be shy! We’d love to hear about your trip. If you would like to know what other activities or places to visit in Belize, check out our Top Tours in Belize blog.

Other Notable Mentions

Here are the 10 Maya Archaeological Sites that have been excavated and are managed by the Belize Institute of Archaeology (IA) under the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH).

Corozal District, Belize
Santa Rita Archaeological Site
Cerro Maya Archaeological Site, also known as “Cerros” Archaeological Site

Toledo District, Belize
Nim Li Punit Archaeological Site
Lubaantun Archaeological Site

There are also other archaeological sites, such as SAK-TUNICH Archeological Site and Marco Gonzalez Archaeological Site, that aren’t under the management of the Institute of Archaeology, but still worth a visit.