Archaeological Sites

Actun Tunichil Muknal

This cave is one of the most popular Mayan burial sites in Western Belize. The cave contains four skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware left by the Maya. The most famous skeleton inside the cave is that of a young girl, the bones of which have been completely covered by the natural processes of the cave, leaving them with a sparkling appearance. The cave itself is several kilometers long with several chambers.

This adventure leaves Caves Branch Jungle Lodge around 8:30am. The hike from the starting point to the cave entrance includes three stream crossings and passes through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. The hike is approximately 45 minutes in duration. Once in the caves you will spend several hours swimming, climbing, and exploring. Once in the inner chambers you will take off your shoes and explore in only your socks to prevent damage to the artifacts. This adventure is challenging and a good level of physical fitness is required. The ability to swim is a plus as you will need to cross deep water to enter the cave and will be wading through water several times both inside and outside the caves.

Xunantunich & Cahal Pech

You will first visit Xunantunich Mayan ruin, also known as the “Maiden of the Rock”. It stands 130 feet high, the second tallest Mayan ruin in Belize , and gives a panoramic view of the Cayo District, Guatemala and the Mopan River. The site has been largely excavated and has a great on site museum. After lunch in San Ignacio, the Mayan ruin tour proceeds to Cahal Pech meaning “Place of the Ticks”. Cahal Pech Mayan ruin is located 15 minutes on the outskirts of San Ignacio, and was home to a Mayan Royal Family.

Caracol Archaeological Reserve

Of all the awesome Belize Maya sites, Caracol would have to be one of the top in terms of importance and grandeur. This once great Maya city-state from the Maya Classic era is one of the country’s largest archaeological sites, and it also boasts the tallest man-made structure in the land. El Caracol means “the snail”, and its not entirely clear as to this why this appellation was applied.

Xunantunich Mayan temples

After a quick 10-minute flight into Belize City, your adventure begins with a scenic drive up the Western Highway to the Cayo (pronounced Ky-o) District. Xunantunich (Maya for “Maiden of the Rock”) sits just inside the Western border of Belize. Before reaching the entrance of this ancient city, your party will board a 19th century hand-cranked ferry which takes you across the Mopan River. The ruins are actually located on one of the highest plateaus in the area and it is possible to climb to the top of “El Castillo”, the largest of the temples at this site. From this vantage point, one gains a panoramic view of the Cayo District and nearby Guatemala.

Next, we continue to Barton Creek Cave in Amish territory. Equipped with canoes and high-powered lights we gently paddle into Xibalba (she-bal-ba). As you glide through the cave system you will be dazzled by the glistening crystalline rock formations and awed by the Mayan artifacts secretly tucked away in overhead alcoves.