If all Belize Mayan sites have to be ranked for there importance and grandeur then Caracol would be placed on top of the list. Caracol, or El Caracol as it is locally known lies in the foothills of Maya Mountains at an altitude of 1,500 feet. The city is surrounded by dense forest and lies on the Vaca Plateau. Caracol is one of the largest ancient Maya cities and covers an area of 65 square miles and at its peak had a population of over 2,00,000 people. Mayan settlers moved to Caracol around 1200 BC but the bulk of construction happened in between 300 AD and 800 AD. Archeologists have significant proof that the city attacked and conquered Tikal in 562 AD. Later the city also conquered Naranjo in AD 631. These two conquests boosted the military and economic might of the city and propelled population grown in the region. The main structure  [...]

Located on the banks for the New River Lagoon is the ancient ceremonial centre of Lamanai. The impressive Mayan ruins are the largest in Belize and the English translation of Lamanai means submerged crocodile. The city has one of the longest occupation span amongst all Mayan cities lasting over 3,000 years. The city is well engulfed by the forest and one has to climb on top of the temple pyramids to actually get a real picture of the surrounding landscape. Lamanai is also amongst the very few Mayan cities where the archeologists have uncovered the original name. It is believed that the occupation of the city started in 1500 BC, but the majority of the city construction started around 4th century BC and the Mayan’s occupied the city till 1600 AD. At its peak more then 35,000 Mayan’s lived in the city. Today much of the city remains  [...]

Uxmal is a large pre-Columbian city of Maya Civilization in Yucatan, Mexico. It is located at a distance of 78 kilometers from Merida. Archeologists have come out with a census that the city was first inhabited as early as 800 BC. The city was abandoned in 1450 AD after the Toltec’s rose to power and established their capital in Chichen Itza. The city at its peak was inhabited by over 30,000 people and most of the buildings in the site were constructed between 700 AD and 1100 AD. The main ruins of Uxmal are spread over an area of 150 acres and the residential district spread beyond the main ruins. Unlike other cities in the region which were build in proximity of cenotes, Uxmal is rather unusual. There are many man-made reservoirs and were probably used for storing rain water, one of such cisterns is located just near the entrance  [...]

Chichen Itza which means ‘At the mouth of the well of Itza’ is one of the most visited pre-Columbian archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsular in Mexico. It was one of the key cities and the focal point of the Mayan Civilization. Sometimes Chichen Itza is also referred in the ancient archives as Uucyabnal which means ‘Seven Great Rulers’. The site contains many buildings including temples, palaces, stages, markets, baths, and ballcourts. In the heart of Chichen is the El Castillo or the Temple of Kukulkan. It is a step pyramid and has stairways on all four sides. During spring and autumn equinox the rising and the setting sun the structure casts a shadow in the shape of a plumed serpent. One can see the entire archeological site after climbing to the top of the pyramid. Much of the site is still engulfed in the forest  [...]

The city is the largest known city of the Mayan Civilization and is located in Northern Guatemala. It was one of the major cultural and population centers and is also the largest excavated site in the Americas. The city remained a mystery for centuries after it was abandoned by the Maya in the 10th century and the city was lost in the jungles. The city consists of thousands of ancient structures and decades of archaeological work only a fraction has been excavated. The Mayan civilization created magnificent temples and excelled in the arts, astronomy and culture.The main surviving buildings in the city are the six large Mesoamerican step pyramids. One gets to enjoy the panoramic views of the city from the top of the pyramids. These pyramids are over 60 meters in height and support a temple structure on the top. Temple of the Great  [...]