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The Mayan Temples of Belize
Yes! There it was! I was mesmerized! This partly unearthed ruin is just one of the many Mayan Temples scattered throughout the breadth of Belize. That image was imprinted on my mind, and from that day onward, I just waited for the opportunity to take my first trip.
Within 2 years I was there in the flesh. Amazed at the size of these temples I thought of how much they resembled the religious buildings of Egypt and Babylon that were centres of ancient world powers. Here too the ancient Mayan civilizations had flourished yet died out. I just stood gazing in contemplation at “Water of the Rock” that is Altun Ha. It was the first of the two Mayan temples I was able to visit. The site of the famous Jade Head.
The second of the Mayan Temples I managed to get to was the Lamanai ruins. The meaning of the name is “submerged crocodile”. I reached there via a long boat trip up the New River from Orange Walk. We arrived late and missed the tour boat that takes you there but we found other means. We met "Crocodile Jack". Santa Rita Santa Rita! Where is that? That`s easy, no matter where you are located, to find Mayan ruins in Belize use your map. You can reach Santa Rita by the North route which leads to the Corozal border. Climb to the top and you will get a spectacular view of the town, jungle and the bay. Cerros Cerros is located along the sea front of Chetmal Bay. It served as an important coastal trading centre from 100 BC to 250 AD. It boasts more than 25 identifiable plazas and some of it is underneath water. There are more of the pyramids to be uncovered but officially they have been already discovered. “Maiden of the Rock” is what Xunantunich means. It is the second largest of the Mayan Temples discovered in Belize. A ceremonial site located to the west of Belize City it features extraordinary carvings. El Pilar These ruins can be located north west of the town San Ignacio in the Cayo District. The area has many nature trails in untouched jungle. If you like archaeology, El Pilar is a “site to see” Caracol Caracol is the largest or “supreme” of the ancient Mayan Cities. It has 3 plazas with an acropolis in the centre, and 2 ball courts. The name means “The Snail”. It is the site of many Mayan temples and the palace called Canaa which means “Sky Palace” is the highest of any man-made structure in Belize, reaching 140 ft. Lubaantun The name of this temple area was given back in 1924 meaning “Place of the fallen stones”, an appropriate name as you will guess when you see this place. You’re in for a spectacular visual experience when you see the stonework. It is situated in the Toledo District, north west of Punta Gorda. Nim Li Punit Nim Li Punit, named by the Ketchi people has many stellas. The name itself means “Big Hat”, and was named after they found a stella with an engraving of a character wearing a tall headdress. Cahal Pech Cahal Pech, one of the earliest sites dating from 1200 BC to 850 AD, has a series of 34 scattered ruins shaded by the canopy of many trees. This creates a cool environment and is a delight to it’s visitors in the very hot season. You will find 7 plazas here, so make sure you have lots of film with you. It also is a place that only receives a trickle of visitors despite its attractions, so don’t be surprised if you find you are almost alone roaming around in the ruins. The name means “Place of the Ticks”. Not to worry! Nobody has complained of any unusual bites yet. Gem
Click here to find the trail Home from the Mayan Temples
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