3 Impressive Must visit Mayan Sites in Belize

As archaeologist continue to unravel centuries of undiscovered Mayan history, these findings have contributed to great insight into the lifestyles of these early inhabitants of Belize. However, their prominence was distinctive by the monumental architecture with structures raising to great heights above the jungle floor.

Here we capture three sites that are worth visiting on your next Belize vacation. These sites apart from the amazing history are all located in three different areas of the country northern, western and southern districts. Each of these areas are unique with its modern day culture, traditions and lifestyles. Ask your travel concierge on amazing accommodations in these areas.

Lamanai – Submerged Crocodile (Orange Walk) 

This is one of the largest temples in northern Belize, one of the most continually inhabited cities in all of the Maya lowlands, with evidence of occupation dating back to the 16th century BC. Lamanai lies 24 miles south of Orange Walk Town up the New River. The translation of the word lamanai – which means ‘submerged crocodile’ in Mayan – gives you a pretty good indication of the local residents of this jungle setting.

 Once a great city—waxing in power, even as cities to the south like Tikal and Caracol were waning—its ruins lay buried until the 1970s, when archaeologists started excavating the site.
Among all of Belize’s archaeological treasures, Lamanai is special because the journey to get there is just as thrilling as the destination; The boat ride is a wonderful opportunity for wildlife spotting as well, with 100 + variety of tropical birds and occasional fresh water crocodiles floating near the river’s edge, as you travel through miles of virgin river fauna, viewing majestic trees with overhanging air plants and colorful Orchids.

Caracol – Snail Shell (Cayo) 

The largest Mayan archeological site in Belize, Caracol is Spanish for “snail shell” a name given because of the excessive numbers of snail shells found there. The Mayan city of Caracol covered some sixty-five square miles and was home to more than 100,000 people. It is a Classic period urban centre, comprising a central ceremonial area converged on by causeways leading to the outlying structures.

At the heart of the site lies the massive pyramid of Caana (Sky Palace) which is now almost fully restored and reaches a height of over 135 feet. From the top you can enjoy breath taking panoramic views over the forest clad mountains. This pyramid is the tallest and largest man made structure in Belize.

A recent discovery of glyphs at Caracol, apparently portraying a military victory over Tikal located in Guatemala, suggests to archeologists that this centre was supreme in the region.

Lubaantún – Place of the fallen rocks (Toledo)




Lubantuun is a late Classic ceremonial center dated to 700-900 AD. A very unique Mayan archeological site, eleven large structures tower above five main plazas and three ball courts. However, what makes this site different is unlike most other Maya ceremonial sites, the existing structures are solid and have no doorways and unlike other sites in the region the corners of the structures are rounded.

The site gets its name after the ground in which it was built began to subsist and the mortarless blocks began to tumble, hence the name was Lubaantun meaning “place of the fallen rocks” in the modern Maya language was given.

The famous yet controversial crystal skull was supposedly discovered in 1926 by Anna Mitchell-Hedges, daughter of archaeologist, F. Mitchell-Hedges, during an expedition on her seventeenth birthday. This perfectly shaped human skull carved from an 8 inch cube of rock crystal is still possessed by Anna who lives in Canada. The origin of the crystal skull remains a mystery.

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