A Cruisers Guide to Belize’s Mayan Ruins

Belize is a beautiful tropical country with unspoiled beaches, lush jungles, and endless adventure. It is home to the world's second-largest barrier reef and the Great Blue Hole, which offers unbelievable snorkeling opportunities, but have you heard about Belize's Mayan ruins?

Belize isn't only filled with natural beauty but also ancient manmade wonders, like the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, Altun Ha, Lamanai, and more; What we love about Belize's Mayan ruins is that most still allow you to climb the pyramids to get a better look and feel the incredible energy that abounds in these sacred Mayan sites.

You can visit some ruins in a single day from Belize City, but which ones are worth visiting? If you're looking for a guide to Belize's pyramids, you're in luck! This handy guide will tell you all you need to know about these incredible archeological sites.

Best Mayan Ruin Day Trips from Belize City

Whether you have a whole day or only a few hours to explore, these are our favorite Mayan Ruins you can see on a day trip from Belize City.

Lamanai

Lamanai, which means 'Submerged Crocodile,' is in the Orange Walk District, about a two-hour drive from Belize City. You must take a 26-mile boat trip on the New River to get here, which will provide you with an excellent opportunity to spot wildlife, including crocodiles (hence the name of the place.)

The reserve is one of the largest ceremonial centers in the country. There are many places to see while here, but the Jaguar Temple, Mask Temple, and High Temple usually take center stage.

For a bird's eye view of the entire reserve, climb the 108-foot staircase of the High Temple, where you'll see most of the remarkably preserved buildings and the New River Lagoon.

The aptly named Jaguar Temple is shaped like the namesake's head. It also has a Maya calendar on the floor. However, the Mask Temple serves the best facades, as it is adorned with 13-foot stone mask carvings.

Lamanai sits near the Rio Bravo Conservation Area, so you can visit both on your day trip.

Altun Ha Mayan Ruins

The Altun Ha Mayan Ruins Tour From Belize City is the most popular trip. Why? Because you can travel to see these fantastic glimpses of history in under an hour, and at a 3.1 square mile radius, the site is relatively small compared to other ruins.

One crypt, the Temple of the Green Tomb, held the remains of a priest-king buried with various riches. While the humidity destroyed some artifacts, pottery, jade jewelry, and stingray spines used in bloodletting rites remained.

The Temple of the Masonry Altars is the site's largest and most significant temple. The temple housed a few tombs, but one tomb contained a 10-pound Jade head. This carving, dedicated to the Maya sun god, is known today as the Crown Jewel of Belize. You may recognize it as the symbol in the top left corner of your Belizean banknotes.

The area around Altun Ha is flourishing with plants and wildlife. Due to its proximity to the city, you can easily pair this excursion with other things to do in Belize.

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

Xunantunich, meaning 'Stone Woman,' is about a two-hour drive from Belize city, after which you'll have to board a hand-cranked ferry to cross the Mopan River and get to the Xunantunich Mayan ruins.

Once there, you'll see several ancient structures, the tropical jungle, and the Maya mountains. However, at 130 feet tall, El Castillo is sure to entice you the most. This castle is Belize's second tallest Mayan structure and was believed to be a shrine and ceremonial center for the city's elite.

Because of El Castillo's height, you can climb the steep stairs to the top for unbelievable panoramic views of the zone. On your way to the top, remember to take a closer look at the carefully carved stone figurines and patterns dedicated to the gods.

Don't let El Castillo take all of the shine on your trip, though. You should also explore other structures like the plazas, artifact museum, Pok-ta-Pok court, and a supposedly haunted tombstone.

Check out this fun video to get a better sense of the day trip to Xunantuich from Belize City.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech is only a short 1.5-hour drive from Belize City and an even shorter 35-minute drive from Xunantunich, making it an excellent choice for a combo trip. The ruins are in the Cayo district and overlook San Ignacio and the Macal River.

Caracol and Xunantunich often overshadow this archeological site, which is precisely why you should visit if you're looking for something off the beaten path. As one of the oldest ruins in the Belize River Valley, these almost untouched structures give great insight into the time the ancient Mayans lived here, between 1000 B.C. to 800 A.D.

The 2-acre area holds about 34 structures, including temple-pyramids, ball courts, residential houses, and an altar. While no specific structures jump out at this site, many visitors come to see the complexity of these early humans' residential areas.

Caracol Mayan Ruins

On the Guatemalan border and the Chiquibul Forest Reserve is where you'll find the most extensive Mayan ruin in Belize. Because of its nearly 25,000 acres of land, it is also the furthest archeological site on this list.

The Caracol Mayan ruins require a whole day to explore as it is about three and a half hours away from Belize City. You can reach them by renting a car or taking a tour. This is also a great way to absorb the beauty of the forest and the Rio Frio Caves along the way.

At the height of its power, the site housed over 150,000 people. Its center still holds remnants of the central acropolis, ball courts, palaces, and temples. The Canaa (Sky Palace) is the most impressive structure. It is the tallest ancient artificial structure in the country, over 140 feet tall.

You can spend hours exploring the astronomical observatory, causeways, stelae, tombstones, and religious altars here. This ruin is off the beaten path, so if you want to learn more about the Maya, this pristine ruin is the site to explore.

Cerros and Santa Rita

These ruins are lesser-known and a bit off the beaten path. Just south of the Mexico border, Cerros is the only archeological site on the coast of Belize. These sites are about a two-hour drive from Belize City, but only about 40 minutes apart, so you can visit both in a day. This is less commonly done from a cruise ship but can be customized as a private trip if you want to make it happen!

Cerros

Cerros offers great photogenic shots as the lush jungle and light stone contrast beautifully against the turquoise sea. You can reach the seaside ruins by taking a boat from Corozal, renting a car, or taking a road trip.

While the rising sea levels have submerged many ruins, there is still plenty to investigate. For example, one temple is surrounded by impressive stucco masks representing different parts of the cosmos.

There are also many plazas and buildings to explore, like the 72-foot-tall funerary building. This building only has a few steps to climb. But once you're on top, you'll have fantastic views of the river to Lamanai, the Bay of Chetumal, and Cozumel — great for another few snapshots.

Santa Rita

Believed to be the remains of the Postclassic Mayan city, Chactemal. This ruin is interesting because it survived the early days of the collapse of the Maya society and the Spanish Incursion.

There is also only one restored surviving building here. This large temple has several connecting passageways and vaults that acted as a jewelry-filled burial structure for two.

Recently, the Belize government named it an "Official Wedding Garden," so you may also spot one or two nuptial ceremonies here.

Ready to Explore the Mayan Ruins of Belize?

So, there you have it; A complete guide to the best Mayan ruins Belize offers. Some take a whole day to explore, while others only need a couple of hours.You can reach most sites via a car or through guided tours. However, if you’re not familiar with the area, a guided tour may be more accessible.

Whichever ruin(s) you choose to visit, you’re bound to be in for a treat and a blast into the ancient past. As you look back at ancient lives, don’t forget about the fantastic present experiences.

When you’re ready to turn the time machine around, check out this expert guide to Belize City.