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In this article, we’ll take a look at the different Mayan ruins in Belize, including all the best things you need to know about them. We also have archeological sites in Belize you should visit. These are not ruins, but ceremonial caves or places of significant value for Mayans.

Belize is a beautiful country. And despite its small size, it packs a big punch! It has such a rich history and culture that dates back to the ancient Maya civilization. Although the Mayan ruins in Belize are not as famous as the ones in Mexico and Guatemala, they are still very impressive!

Belize is home to some of the most impressive and well-preserved ruins and archaeological sites in the world. When visiting these ruins, visitors will get a glimpse into the past and how Mayas used to live on these lands. It’s a great opportunity to travel deeper and connect with some of the best places to visit in Belize.

So let’s take a look at the best Mayan ruins and archeological sites to visit in Belize. And with so many different places to see, we had to ask our blogger friends to help us out. There are far too many amazing Mayan temples in Belize to see them all!

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For more information, please see our disclaimer here. We take all the efforts necessary to ensure the information included in this post is accurate, correct and current, sometimes, things just change! Travel information like opening hours, business operations and prices may change. If you find anything in this post that is incorrect or outdated, please let me know in the comments so I can update it for other readers. Cheers!

The 5 top Mayan ruins in Belize to add to your bucket list

In this first section, we’ll take a look at the different Mayan temples in Belize that are worth visiting. These temples include towering structures, intricate stone carvings, and traces to the past lives of the Mayans.

There are still so many things we don’t know about the Mayan culture and how they were able to achieve so many incredible feats of ingenuity and creativity so long ago.

Whether you’re a history buff, an adventure seeker, or a curious traveler, Belize’s Mayan ruins are sure to leave you in awe.

1. Xunantunich, an unmissable Mayan ruin in Belize

Contributed by yours truly at WeDidItOurWay.com

The Xunantunich ruins are the most renowned Mayan ruins in Belize and are easily accessible from San Ignacio, known as the adventure capital of the country.

Visiting the Xunantunich ruins is considered one of the best things to do in Belize. Here you can take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding area, and on clear days, you can see all the way to Guatemala.

This ancient Mayan archeological site was occupied by Mayans from the 7th century AD until the 16th century when the Spanish arrived.

Xunantunich is famous for two things. First is the hand-cranked barge you need to take to cross the bridge, which is a memorable experience. Next is the 40-meter-tall temple structure called El Castillo. It’s the most impressive temple you will encounter in Xunantunich.

Although El Castillo isn’t as tall as Caracol, another notable temple in Belize, it is still a must-visit destination for its historical significance and impressive structure. The views from the temple are also memorable

The Xunantunich ruins are open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, and the entrance fee for foreigners is $10 BZD. Make sure to add Xunantunich to the list of amazing places to visit in Belize because these Mayan ruins in Belize are absolutely stunning!

2. Caracol, the largest archeological site in Belize

Contributed by Brandon from ZimminAroundTheWorld.com

The Mayan ruins of Caracol are one of Belize’s most famous and largest archaeological sites. Located in the jungles of the Cayo District of Belize, Caracol is also one of the more secluded and difficult ruins to reach.

Historically, Caracol has always been a huge city and at one point had a population of around 150,000 people. Road networks can be seen leading up to Caracol and around the site, indicating the Mayans living here were trading goods with other sites around Belize and even Guatemala.

Traveling to Caracol is an all-day event and a tour guide is highly recommended. Tours can be found within San Ignacio or booked online. Tour guides usually have a 4×4 vehicle which is required to get to Caracol, not to mention you learn a whole lot more about the history of the site with someone who actually knows the area. The drive to Caracol from San Ignacio is around 2-2.5 hours but can vary depending on the weather.

Once at Caracol, allow at least 4 hours to explore the site. The main temple at Caracol is Caana and visitors can climb to the top of it. In fact, Caana is the tallest structure in Belize, even to this day.

Caracol is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00. The road on the way home can be dangerous due to conditions, so it is recommended to leave earlier.

3. Cahal Pech, one of the oldest Mayan temples in Belize

Contributed by Lauren at NeverEndingFootsteps.com

Cahal Pech is one of the oldest, and most accessible, archeological sites in Belize. Located just one mile outside of the town of San Ignacio, these ruins were once a hilltop home for a wealthy Mayan family, dating back to around 1200 B.C. Back then, a whopping 15,000 people lived within the complex, and it was made up of over 30 structures. 

What makes Cahal Pech so special is the lack of crowds. No ruins in Belize could truly be described as overcrowded – especially in comparison to Mexico – but at Cahal Pech, you’ll most likely have the entire complex to yourself. There’s nothing quite like exploring a set of Mayan ruins without anybody else around. 

Getting to Cahal Pech is quick and easy – it takes just 20 minutes to walk from San Ignacio, and you can even take a taxi if the heat is too unbearable to manage. The entire complex is spread out across two acres, so none of your explorations will be too intensive. 

When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by seven plazas that are linked together in a maze-esque layout. You’ll wander through tunnels and passageways and enter dark rooms, with stairs connecting all of them to courtyards of different heights. It’s almost like wandering through a real-life Escher painting.

In addition to the plazas and tunnels, you’ll be able to walk around well-preserved structures that once stood as pyramids, temples, and ball courts. It’s a seriously impressive site and well worth spending an hour exploring. 

Belize is a moderately expensive country to travel across in comparison to its Central American neighbors, but the entrance to Cahal Pech is still reasonable. You’ll pay just 10 BZD ($5 USD) to enter the grounds, which also gives access to the small museum on site. Opening times are between 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., but whichever time of day you decide to visit, you’ll likely still have the complex practically to yourself.

4. Lamanai, one of the most unique Mayan sites in Belize

Contributed by Claire at TalesOfABackpacker.com

Lamanai Mayan Ruins are located in Northern Belize. While it is possible to drive to the ruins from Orange Walk, the roads are unpaved and most people arrive by boat. The easiest way to get to Lamanai is to join a tour from Belize City or Orange Walk, which includes a boat trip along the river.

Lamanai means “submerged crocodile” in Maya, and the river that runs alongside the ruins is home to these animals. Keep your eyes peeled on the boat trip for them and other animals like turtles and birds which live in the river and on the banks. 

Lamanai was inhabited for nearly 3000 years, making it one of the longest continually-occupied Mayan sites in Belize and Mesoamerica. Lamanai grew along the river, with the temples built in a line instead of arranged around central plazas like most Mayan settlements.  

At its peak, it was home to around 20,000 people but the excavated site at Lamanai is quite small, with just three main temples, a ball court and some smaller buildings that have been uncovered. However, you can see the remains of more buildings hidden beneath plants and soil all around the site.

Key locations to visit at Lamanai include the Jaguar Temple, with the shape of a jaguar’s head incorporated into the design. The High Temple has a wooden staircase on the back side of the pyramid allowing you to climb up to the summit for panoramic views of the forest all around Lamanai.

The Mask Temple is a particular highlight, with 2 large faces carved beautifully into the stone. This Mayan temple in Belize is well worth a visit. Make sure you add it to your Belize itinerary!

5. Altun Ha, home to amazing Mayan artifacts

Contributed by yours truly at WeDidItOurWay.com

Altun Ha is an unmissable Mayan ruin in Belize. It’s located in northern Belize, not too far from San Pedro, Caye Caulker and Belize City, which makes it one of the easiest ruins to visit!

Altun Ha dates back to 250 BC and was once home to up to 10,000 people. The well-preserved stone structures offer a window into the past. They’re truly breathtaking to discover.

What makes Altun Ha a must when visiting the different archeological sites in Belize is the fact that many jade artifacts were found here, including the famous jade head – the largest one in the world! But don’t expect to see the jade head here – it’s locked away in the country’s largest bank and rarely makes public appearances!

Despite this, the Altun Ha ruins are still a great Mayan site to explore. There are temples, plazas and more that you can see on-site.

The best way to visit Altun Ha is on a guided tour from San Pedro or Belize City (also quite accessible from Caye Caulker). Tours usually include transportation, entry fees, lunch, and a guide. But you can also visit on your own.

Admission costs just $10 BZD, or $5 USD. The site is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. With its unique history and stunning setting, Altun Ha is an unforgettable Mayan ruin in Belize. This ancient Mayan city is a must to add to your Belize itinerary.

The 2 best archeological sites in Belize

Here are 2 other archeological sites in Belize that are not ruins, but rather, caves! These unique places are musts in Belize. One is a very active all-day tour that will make you feel like Indiana Jones. The other is a more relaxed tour where you can enjoy the surroundings while listening to your guide tell you some very fascinating facts.

If you can, we recommend you visit both places, but if your time and physical strength is limited, you can choose to do the one that best suits your needs.

1. ATM caves, a must on any Belize itinerary

Contributed by yours truly at WeDidItOurWay.com

Did you even go to Belize if you didn’t visit the ATM Caves? The answer is no! Because if you’ve been to Belize, or even to San Ignacio, everyone will ask if you did this tour, and there’s a reason why! The ATM Caves are a definite bucket list activity in Belize.

The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave, known as the ATM cave, is located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. It’s about a 45-minute drive from San Ignacio, and the only way to visit this iconic Mayan archeological site is with a guided tour. It’s important to note that to visit the ATM cave, you need to be in good physical shape. The day trip is strenuous and it’s a physically active outing.

Tours start around 8 am and only return around 4:30 pm – maybe earlier, depending on how physically able your group is. This includes the 1.5-hour drive and about 1 hour for lunch and other stops. Any tour will include transportation (to and from your accommodations) as well as a guide and lunch. The cost of the tour is between $100-125 USD.

Exploring this cave, you’ll feel like Indiana Jones! You’ll be hiking through the forest, wading in water chest-deep, climbing on rocks, scaling ladders, and going through very tight squeezes. You’ll see human remains (skeletons) dating back to Mayan times, as the cave was used as a ceremonial site. The guides will point out any cool things to see, and talk about the rituals that happened here and their significance in history.

A few extra notes about visiting the ATM caves:

• If you have water shoes, they will make the tour more enjoyable as you will cross creeks before getting to the cave.
• You’ll also need to bring a pair of socks to wear when you’re walking in the upper chambers of the cave. Avoid wearing white socks as they will be forever unclean after this tour!
• You won’t be allowed to bring anything in the cave, so you’ll need to keep that in mind. All water bottles and snacks are left outside. Also, you’re not allowed to bring any cameras into the cave as a few people have dropped them and damaged the remains.
• Have a big breakfast or snack before entering the cave. Lunch probably won’t happen until 1:30 – 2:30 pm (depending on how the group progresses), and you don’t want to get hangry – Carine learned this the hard way!

The whole trip is an amazing highlight if you spend any time in San Ignacio. It’s no wonder that the ATM cave is on our list of the best places to visit in Belize.

2. Barton Creek Cave, an archeological site in Belize you need to visit

Contributed by yours truly at WeDidItOurWay.com

Another great archeological site in Belize that should be on your bucket list is the Barton Creek Cave. This one is also located close to San Ignacio. Unlike the ATM Cave, it’s a more relaxed and quiet alternative, but it’s just as amazing (ok, maybe a little less).

The Barton Creek Cave is an 8-mile-long cave system where many Mayan artifacts, human remains and very beautiful rock formations can be found. The only way to visit the cave is by kayak or canoe. And the good news is, only one person will be navigating down this quiet cave system. Again, the only way to visit this Mayan archeological site is with an approved tour guide.

The tour guide will tell you about the history of the cave and all the things they found in it. Some of the artifacts are over 1,000 years old as the Mayan elite used the cave as a ceremonial and burial site. During the tour, you’ll also be able to admire the beautiful stalactites, stalagmites and calcium formations.

The tour itself only takes about 1-1.5 hours, but it’s so worth it. If you can’t do the ATM Cave, this activity is a great replacement.

The 7 best Mayan ruins & archeological sites in Belize

There you have the 7 best Mayan ruins and archeological sites you should add to your Belize itinerary. Each one has something unique and amazing to offer.

From beautiful stone carvings, impressive temples and structures, long-lost artifacts and more. The Mayan ruins of Belize can help tell the story of this country with such a rich heritage.

Here are the 7 Mayan temples and archeological sites:

1. Xunantunich
2. Caracol
3. Cahal Pech
4. Lamanai
5. Altun Ha
6. ATM Caves
7. Barton Creek Cave

Let us know in the comments if there are any other temples or sites we should be adding to this list. Which Mayan site are you most excited to explore?

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