Visiting the Mayan Ruins of Altun Ha in Belize

Belize is a culturally rich country full of amazing flora and fauna that can be enjoyed in a variety of different ways. No matter what you plan to do once you reach Belize City, which is right on the coast, you’ll definitely want to visit the Mayan Ruins of Altun Ha. Here's how to plan your trip to this amazing site!

The Altun Ha ruins are one of the best examples of the Mayans’ architectural abilities, covering three square miles. Most of the structures have yet to be unearthed but the ones that have are something to marvel at. These ancient people, who were very technologically advanced for their time, built structurally sound buildings with precise measurements without any mechanical equipment.

A majority of tourists only see one side of Belize, as they get off their cruise ship and shop in the port. If they do decide to venture away from the beach and the safety of the approved shops a few steps away from the dock, they pay way too much for an excursion via the cruise line. Going outside your comfort zone can sometimes be one of the best things you can do.

When we chose a cruise that docked in Belize City, I immediately went online to see what there was to do in the city and how we could make the most of our nine hours on the mainland. It didn’t seem like we had much time, but we were able to find an amazing tour from Belize Cruise Excursions that was much more affordable than booking through the cruise company and also benefited the local economy, which is very important in developing nations like Belize.

Our tour guide was awesome, since she was a native and knew the country inside and out. We took a tour through Belize City, where she pointed out historical buildings, explained about the economy, school and medical systems, racial populations and the history of the city. She asked us questions and answered every question we had, too. She then drove us to the Altun Ha ruins (one of the many ruins sites in the country), where she was our tour guide and a fountain of knowledge on the structures, the history, the people, the plants and daily life.

Getting to the ruins

The drive to Altun Ha takes around one hour on roads that have seen better days and are not much wider than the van you drive there in. It is the least-touristy site of ruins I have ever been to. Even when the tour buses rolled in later in the day, we still felt we were in a very secluded area of the world. Perhaps that’s true, considering it took quite some time for this site to come to the attention of archaeologists. It wasn’t until 1963, when a large jade stone pendant was discovered in a quarry, that historians were aware of what treasures were right under their feet. The sheer amount of jade found at Altun Ha suggests that it was a city of great wealth and importance.

This jade pendant still resides in the main bank in Belize City, along with many other valuable finds. Still within the structures are the Sun God and all he has been buried with. Unfortunately, the humidity broke down both his royal robes and the book he was buried with, but the jewels, pottery and other artifacts are still intact. You can climb to the top of his resting place – the Green Tomb – inside the Temple of the Masonry Altars. The steps are very steep, but there is a handrail to help you navigate them. Once on the top, there is no barrier. It’s just you standing atop a large stone structure, looking down upon the rest of the buildings on the site and the forest surrounding it.

Several grassy hills exist at Altun Ha and have yet to be uncovered. Underneath the ground are other stone structures that are slowly being discovered. The large pyramid is only partly visible, as it kept collapsing as archaeologists tried to expose more and more of it. The flint stone that has been unearthed from all the buildings has been covered in another stone material to keep it from eroding further from natural weather and visitors exploring the site.

Our guide was highly knowledgeable about the Mayan people and the site. We learned not only about the structures and artifacts found in and around them, but she also showed us the grounds and explained about plants near the ruins and natural medicines used by Mayan doctors and still used by some of their descendants today. One thing we found particularly interesting was a form of anaesthetic that was discovered by accident. A plant grown in Belize has spiny pods that can cause numbness and was used to make a paste used during childbirth and surgery.

Food and drink

You will not want to miss the chance to try some local wine made from cashews when you head out to the gift shops on the property. It has a very interesting flavor and makes a great souvenir – and gift for others – from your trip to Belize.

Another must is lunch at the café on-site. It’s not much to look at, but you have to try the Belizean chicken that comes with rice, beans and fried plantains. It is one of the best meals you will eat and you’ll have a great time trying to figure out what makes it so good, since the recipes are a closely guarded secret within the Belize community. Your lunch is included in the price of your tour if you choose to book through Belize Cruise Excursions.

What else Belize has to offer

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We were only in Belize long enough to take a tour of the Altun Ha ruins, drive through Belize City and shop a bit in the port before we had to get back on the cruise ship. We would love to go back and spend more time there.

There are several reasons Belize makes a great vacation destination. It has so much to choose from, including awesome diving and snorkeling off the Belize Barrier Reef (and other great diving spots), island hopping, tremendous fishing and boating opportunities, river rafting and kayaking, wildlife reserves, jungles, ziplining, cave tubing, rainforests, bird watching, hiking and more.

There are so many things to do in Belize that it’s impossible to list them all, and with its compact geographical area, you’ll be able to reach things outside your “home base” within a couple hours, so you don’t have to waste your day just getting there.

And if you aren’t into outdoorsy activities, then consider some of these reasons to plan a trip there:

  • Beautiful sandy beaches are everywhere along the coast for swimming and sunbathing.
  • The country has the lowest population per square mile in Central America, making it feel like you are the only tourist around at any point in time.
  • With both Latin and Caribbean influence, the food is spectacular and unlike dishes you will find elsewhere.
  • The bus system is easy to use, since for many residents it is their sole transportation. Gas is not cheap in Belize, so rent a car only if you have to.
  • There is a never-ending supply of handmade items, local wines, tropical fruit and fish you’ve never heard of.
  • In comparison to many other “touristy” countries, inexpensive shopping opportunities abound, so your dollar goes further.

The Belizean people are welcoming and are eager to show you everything their country has to offer. You may never want to leave. Lands are protected from deforestation and clear-cutting and for every tree lost, a new one must be planted elsewhere. All the lush greenery makes a wonderful backdrop for pictures. Plus with its tropical climate and landscape, you can totally pack shorts, short sleeves and a bathing suit for year-round visits. Spring does tend to get quite rainy, so plan your trip accordingly, or just do what we do and bring a rain jacket and continue to enjoy your vacation whenever you go.

Since you can find tons of affordable hotels, your (American) dollar stretches quite far. Amazing and convenient hotels can be booked for around $50 and high-end resorts for around $100 per night. That’s totally unheard of in most vacation destinations. As is not having to pay to use the resort’s recreational equipment, like kayaks and canoes, which a included in your rate at many of the accommodations, not just all-inclusive resorts.

With all the extras you’ll get with your lodging and money saved on dining and shopping, you’ll be able to do so much more than you ever dreamed of in an unbelievable location with incredible people. For less than the cost of your average vacation, you can fly, stay, shop, eat and experience Belize and still come home with some money in your pocket.

Cover photo: www.focusonnature.com

About the author

Shereen

A self-proclaimed budget travel enthusiast, Shereen spends her days looking for fantastic travel bargains, watching great (and sometimes really bad) movies with her husband, planning theme parties and preparing for the zombie apocalypse.

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