Belize Maya Ruins Map (With Tour Options)
Mayan Empire Overview
The Maya civilization developed in the region now known as southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala and Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador. These people did not refer to themselves as “Maya,” nor did they have a unified identity. Today, their descendants—numbering over six million—still inhabit the region, speak more than 28 Mayan languages, and carry forward cultural traditions shaped over thousands of years.
Learn more: UNESCO: Maya Site of Copan
As a Belizean of Creole ethnicity, I’ve had the privilege of learning alongside many Maya-descended guides during my training and travels. In Belize, it’s common to hear the phrase “I dah tribe,” meaning “I am Maya”. While I may not be Maya by ancestry, the respect, friendship, and shared love for this land allow me to say with pride alongside my brothers and sisters, “I dah tribe.”
Belize Maya Ruins Map (Top 9 Sites Open to Visitors)
This map highlights nine of the best-excavated Maya sites in Belize. Hundreds of other lesser-known sites exist, but these are the most accessible and rewarding for visitors. Stann Creek District is the only district without a major archaeological site, but day tours are available from there to Cayo and Toledo District.
🌍 Note: Tikal, though not shown here, is located in Guatemala but commonly visited from San Ignacio, Belize.
🔗 Want to walk these sites with a licensed guide? Book a Maya Ruins Tour with Alvin »
🧢 Travel Tips for Visiting Maya Ruins:
- Wear light hiking shoes: Belize’s subtropical climate means rain showers can hit at any time.
- Sandals are not recommended—mud can make them heavy and unsafe.
- During the dry season, ticks can be active on jungle trails.
- Sunscreen and deep-tissue insect repellent are a must.
- Carry extra cash for tips and small souvenirs at local stalls.
- Long sleeves and pants are useful if you’re not swimming or exploring shaded jungle areas.
- Entrance fees, road conditions, and site access may vary. Always confirm with your tour operator before visiting.
- Public transportation options to ruins are limited. Tours or private shuttles are recommended.
- While this guide is based on personal experience, please consult your doctor or travel advisor for health-related concerns.
Belize Mayan Ruins Tours – With Personal Reflections and Quick Facts
- Overview: An important coastal trading center. See temples, tombs, and plazas.
- Alvin’s Note: Quiet, less visited. Great for understanding Maya coastal life.
- Quick Facts:
- Height: Low structures
- Experience Level: Easy
- Entrance Fee: BZ$10
- Access: Paved road
- Crowds: Rarely crowded
- Approx. Travel Time: 5–10 minutes from Corozal Town
- Public Transport: Limited taxis or walk from town
- Overview: Ceremonial platforms, pyramids, sea views.
- Alvin’s Note: One of the most scenic ruins. I love the water breeze here.
- Quick Facts:
- Height: Medium (approx. 60 ft pyramid)
- Experience Level: Moderate (walk to site)
- Entrance Fee: BZ$10
- Access: Boat ride recommended
- Crowds: Low traffic
- Approx. Travel Time: 30–45 mins from Corozal (road + boat)
- Public Transport: No direct service; private boat or tour required
- Overview: Ancient hilltop city with plazas and ball courts.
- Alvin’s Note: I didn’t value it at first—it’s small. But now I appreciate its age and quiet charm. Great for birding and seeing agouti.
- Quick Facts:
- Height: Low structures
- Experience Level: Moderate (some steps)
- Entrance Fee: BZ$10
- Access: Short uphill drive
- Crowds: Occasionally busy
- Approx. Travel Time: 5–10 minutes from San Ignacio
- Public Transport: Walk or short taxi from town
- Overview: Mortar-less architecture, rounded corners, crystal skull legend.
- Alvin’s Note: The rounded stones here feel unique—different from all others.
- Quick Facts:
- Height: Medium
- Experience Level: Moderate
- Entrance Fee: BZ$10
- Access: Gravel road
- Crowds: Quiet
- Approx. Travel Time: 45–60 minutes from Punta Gorda
- Public Transport: Limited; best with tour or rental vehicle
- Overview: Carved stelae, plazas, ball court.
- Alvin’s Note: The detail on the stelae is incredible. A great ruin to pair with Lubaantun.
- Quick Facts:
- Height: Medium
- Experience Level: Easy
- Entrance Fee: BZ$10
- Access: Good road
- Crowds: Low
- Approx. Travel Time: 1–1.5 hours from Punta Gorda
- Public Transport: Limited buses pass junction; tour recommended
Best Maya Ruins to Visit in Belize
- Why Go: Massive structures and an epic boat ride through the lagoon.
- Alvin’s Note: That river ride might be better than the ruins—it’s that good.
- Quick Facts:
- Height: ~108 ft
- Experience Level: Moderate
- Entrance Fee: BZ$10–20
- Access: Boat + road
- Crowds: Medium to high during peak season
- Approx. Travel Time: 1.5–2 hours from Orange Walk Town
- Public Transport: Buses to Orange Walk only; tour required
- Why Go: Iconic temple, near Belize City, easy half-day trip.
- Alvin’s Note: I love how this site reflects trade history. The old Northern Highway is cultural gold.
- Quick Facts:
- Height: ~54 ft (Temple of Masonry Altars)
- Experience Level: Easy
- Entrance Fee: BZ$10
- Access: Paved road
- Crowds: Can get busy on cruise days
- Approx. Travel Time: 1–1.5 hours from Belize City
- Public Transport: None direct; use taxi or tour
- Why Go: El Castillo offers sweeping jungle views.
- Alvin’s Note: I dreamt I got trapped here after my first visit. Operated the hand-cranked ferry myself. Feels like stepping into a myth.
- Quick Facts:
- Height: ~130 ft (El Castillo)
- Experience Level: Moderate with stairs
- Entrance Fee: BZ$10
- Access: Ferry + short walk
- Crowds: Medium
- Approx. Travel Time: 20–30 minutes from San Ignacio
- Public Transport: Buses to ferry crossing; walk or ride across
- Why Go: Massive site, Belize’s tallest pyramid.
- Alvin’s Note: I stood atop Ka’ana and felt like a god. One day I hope to camp here. Bring 4WD.
- Quick Facts:
- Height: ~143 ft (Sky Palace)
- Experience Level: Challenging
- Entrance Fee: BZ$10
- Access: 4WD jungle road
- Crowds: Remote and peaceful
- Approx. Travel Time: 2.5–3.5 hours from San Ignacio
- Public Transport: None; 4WD tour or rental vehicle required
- Why Go: UNESCO World Heritage site. Grand pyramids, ancient jungle.
- Alvin’s Note: You can tour this from Belize. It’s worth every step.
- Quick Facts:
- Height: ~230 ft (Temple IV)
- Experience Level: Moderate to challenging
- Entrance Fee: ~US$25 (in GTQ)
- Access: Border crossing + drive
- Crowds: Popular site, early visits best
- Approx. Travel Time: 2–2.5 hours from San Ignacio
- Public Transport: Border shuttle or private transfer
Ready to Walk the Ruins?
Each Maya site in Belize tells its own story—from the coastal trade cities of Santa Rita and Cerros to the jungle-shrouded grandeur of Caracol and Lamanai. Whether you’re seeking panoramic views, birdwatching, spiritual reflection, or pure adventure, there’s a ruin that will speak to you.
Belize With Alvin isn’t just a tour—it’s a walk through time with someone who grew up surrounded by these histories and now brings them to life.
✅ Personalized insights
✅ Hidden photo spots
✅ Cultural stories you won’t find on signboards
✅ Small group or private options
🎒 Book your Maya Ruins experience with me, and let’s make Belize’s past a part of your unforgettable present.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maya Ruins in Belize
Yes. Belize has thriving Maya communities, especially in the southern and western districts. Many modern Maya people still speak their native languages—like Mopan, Q’eqchi’, and Yucatec—and maintain traditions passed down for generations.
As a local guide, I’ve shared classrooms and friendships with Maya people since childhood—from growing up near Red Bank village to studying alongside Mopan and Q’eqchi’ guides during my tour guide training. I’ve attended Maya weddings, visited villages, and enjoyed dishes passed down through their culture—one of my favorite fish recipes come from those traditions.
So yes, the Maya are not just history. They are here, living, guiding, and sharing Belize’s story every day.
Yes, you can. Belize’s Maya ruins are open all year, but accessibility depends on the season. Dry season (February to May) offers the best conditions, especially for remote jungle sites like Caracol. In the rainy season, some areas may be harder to reach, and tours might occasionally be rescheduled.
As a local, visiting Maya ruins has always been a go-to activity—especially when we’re looking for something meaningful and refreshing to do on a weekend. For those of us born in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Sunday visits to Maya sites became a kind of family tradition. The government even waives entrance fees for Belizeans on Sundays, which turns the ruins into a shared space for connection, memory, and discovery.
So yes, they’re open all year—but they also hold a special, everyday kind of magic for many of us who grew up here.
