Mayan Belize

If Belize doesnt quite match the sheer numbers of Mexico or Guatemalas ruins, its Mayan archeology is no less redolent of that vicious nation; and no less impressive. The Mayan Empire, that built wondrous and widespread cities and cultivated violence, eventually fell to either Spanish machinations or perhaps its own bloodlust.

While perhaps thirty or so sites throughout Central America stand out as the deposed nations great civic fulcrums, there are in fact hundreds of archaeologically significant sites, and indeed thousands of smaller ones, across Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras.

Here is a summary of some of Belizes ruins that narrowly missed out on their own Walkopedia pages:

• El Pilar, (Guatemala and Belize border): 25 plazas and hundreds of other buildings and monuments cover about 120 acres that straddle Guatemala and Belize. Its archaeology is protected from the elements by the overgrown, lush jungle. Particular highlights are the fully exposed Tzunuun house site and a Maya forest garden, demonstrating traditional agricultural practices. The majority of monument and building date from at least 1000CE, and most of that from the large-scale public works circa 250BCE.

• Caracol: Lying in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, Caracol was one of the largest ancient Maya cities: estimated up to 180,000 people at its height, and an important political centre. At times ally to Naranjo, Calakmul, even Tikal. The remarkable Caana (Sky-Palace) remains one of the largest buildings in Belize, even today. Minor Mayan sites nearby include Xunantunich (25 miles), Cahel Pech and Chaa Creek.

For the ruins that did make the list, and for practical information applicable here, see our Mayan Ruins overview page.

Map of Major Classical and Post-Classical Mayan Sites