Author: Shmuel

The name Caracol is Spanish for “snail shell” and was given because of the inordinate numbers of snail shells found there.

Caracol remains one of the more difficult ruins in Belize to access, however a significant portion of the road leading to Caracol has been paved and getting there gives visitors the chance to travel on one of the more scenic roads in Belize.

At the peak of its existence, 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. The site’s special features include the buildings surrounding the A court, which functioned during the Early Classic period as an astronomical observatory. Following a now familiar pattern, many of the site’s pyramids were constructed in the Early Classic period, and later covered over by ever more impressive structures.

Since it’s rediscovery in the 1920s, archaeologists have found the earliest dated carved stelae in Belize, dating back to 400 A.D., and unearthed the massive structure called Canaa or “Sky Place”, believed to have been completed around 800 A.D. This pyramid is the tallest and largest man made structure in Belize.

General Tour Information

Light-weight, comfortable clothing and shoes with a good grip. Long trousers are more suitable than shorts as they give more protection from insects and weather. Hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and drinking water are advisable.

Another interesting part of this site is the presence of a large, water reservoir called “Rockstone Pond”. The bottom of this reservoir is lined with yellow clay giving the bottom firmness capable of retaining water.

Your day to Altun Ha begins at 5:45 am with pick up at your resort. We then have breakfast in San Pedro town, and then take either a 6:30 water taxi to Belize City which is an Hour and an half ride or a 7 am flight to Belize City which is a 15 minutes flight. In Belize City you will be picked up by your Professional guides. Your guide will take you on a 1 hour drive to the Maya City of Altun Ha. (first half of your hour will be on the Phillip Goldson Highway then you head into the Old Northern Highway). You will be driving beautiful Belizean villages until you arrive at the Maya Site.

Your tour of the Ancient City will be led by your guide as you listen to the history of this site, the importance of each structure, and what caused the Mayans to flee their City. After the Maya Site tour comes lunch time! Enjoy your fresh cook Belizean lunch, rice and beans with stew chicken and vegetable salad. After lunch you hop back in your tour vehicle and drive back to Belize City. From Belize City you take your water taxi or flight back to San Pedro. In San Pedro you will be met by one of our representative who will insure that you have you transportation back to your resort.

This Mayan Site could be combined with the following: cave tubing, zip lining, The Belize Zoo, Horseback Riding, Inland Blue Hole, Cahal Pech, Xunantunich, Bird Watching, or the baboon sanctuary

General Tour Information
Light-weight comfortable clothing and shoes with a good grip, long trousers are more suitable than shorts as they give more protection from insects and weather, hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

The day trip to Cave Tubing begins at 5:45 am with pick up at your resort. We then have breakfast in San Pedro town, and then take either a 6:30 water taxi to Belize City which is an Hour and an half ride or 7 am flight to Belize City which is a 15 minutes flight. In Belize City you will be picked up by your Professional tour guides. From Belize City to Jaguar Paw it’s a 1 hour and 15 minutes drive on the George Price High Way, and includes a nine miles drive into the rain forest up to the “food hills” of the Maya Mountains. On your drive you will enjoy the diversity of Belize’s culture and ecosystems as you drive through little beautiful villages. To get to the caves you do a 30 minutes hike under the beautiful canopy of the rain forest. While hiking on the beautiful forest floor, your guide will point out different tropical fruits, and even medicinal herbs that are used by natives of Belize.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the cave, you can swim around in the refreshing water of the Caves Branch Rivera as you neutralize your body with the water. Your tubing throughout the under works goes for an hour and a half as you view some amazing stalactite and stalagmite formation. After tubing comes lunch time! Enjoy your fresh cook Belizean lunch, rice and beans with stew chicken and vegetable salad. After lunch you hop back in your tour vehicle and drive back to Belize City. From Belize City you take your water taxi or flight back to San Pedro. In San Pedro you will be met by one of our representative who will insure that you have you transportation back to your resort.