BELIZE DISTRICT

Altun Ha (Water of the Rock):

Located thirty-one miles north of Belize City, near Rockstone Pond Village. Two main plazas with 13 temples and residential structures. Major ceremonial center and trading center in the Classic Period (250 - 900 A.D.) linked the Caribbean with Central America inland Maya. Here they found the Jade Head - largest carved jade object in the whole Maya area - representing the Sun God, kinich Ahau.

Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center:

Thirty miles on the Western Highway. more than 100 species of native Belizean animals including many endangered species - jaguar, tapirs, black howler monkeys.

Community Baboon Sanctuary:

Located off the Northern Highway through the village of Burrel Boom in the Belize District. Preserve for black howler monkeys - known locally as baboons - named for their loud, raspy howl which can carry over a mile.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary:

Thirty-three miles northwest of Belize City or twenty-two miles south of Orange Walk; two miles off the Northern Highway. Bird Sanctuary and home to the jabiru stork - largest bird in the Western Hemisphere.

Gales Point:

Located 15 miles north of Dangriga. swim and snorkel with manatees in the Southern Lagoon.

Ambergris Caye:

Accessible by air or sea. Watersport guides will take you to reef sites, for diving or snorkeling trips to Blue Hole, Turneffe Islands. See manatees in their natural habitat. Swim with them among the mangrove shallows. Rent a golf cart or a bicycle to get around the island.

Caye Caulker:

Experienced underwater guides will take you out to numerous reef sites within minutes of each other. Trips also to Lighthouse Reef, the Great Blue Hole, Goff's Caye and Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Great Blue Hole:

A mammoth cave located in the center of Lighthouse Reef, is almost a perfect circular hole, measuring 1,000 feet in diameter and 412 feet in depth. Divers discover remarkable stalactites and stalagmites. The famous underwater explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau came to Belize on an expedition in 1971.

Half Moon Caye Natural Monument:

Sanctuary for breeding colonies of the nesting sea-birds including the red-footed booby-bird. The endangered sea turtle can also be found here.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Little Channel):

Five square mile underwater park established in 1987. Four miles southeast of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Accessible by boat. Strictly enforced no-fishing regulations have made this thirty-foot-deep reserve a haven for large fishes, moray eels, nurse sharks, and colorful species of coral.

Cahal Pech (Place of the Ticks):

Medium-sized Maya center located in the Cayo District. Maya ruin offering a Panoramic view of San Ignacio and The Belize River Valley below. Remarkable contrast between the town and jungle, which are close in proximity.

Caracol (The Snail):

Discovered in 1938, Caracol is located just south of San Ignacio. A round elaborately carved altar stone was uncovered which described a victory by Caracol over Tikal, once believed to be the most powerful Maya metropolis. The discovery positioned Caracol as the "supreme" Maya city. The largest ruin of a sprawling Maya city found to date. The Canaa (Maya for "sky palace") rises 140 feet.

Caves Branch:

Fourteen miles south on the Hummingbird Highway, entrance at mile marker 41. Tube your way through miles of magnificent underground river caves. Maya artifacts and wall carvings have been found in many caves.

Chaa Creek Natural History Center:

Animal skulls - tapir, puma, and jaguarundi greet you at the entrance of this new museum. Maps, displays, library, and archives sections are featured.

Che Chem Ha Caves:

Once used by Mayans for storage and refuge, Mayan pottery still intact was found in these caves. A ceremonial chamber was also discovered.

Guanacaste National Park:

On the Western Highway just to the east of Roaring Creek Bridge. The park is named for the giant guanacaste (tubroos) tree growing near southwestern edge of the park. Over one hundred species of birds have been indentified within the park.

Inland Blue Hole:

Twelve miles south on the Hummingbird Highway at Blue Hole National Park. Visitors are welcome to take a cool dip in this 25-foot-deep pool of sparkling sapphire water located in a rainforest.

Mountain Pine Ridge:

300 square miles of forest reserve east of San Ignacio Town. The reserve is home to numerous streams and falls including the Hidden Valley Falls (1,000 Foot Falls), Rio Pools, Rio On River, Rio Frio Cave.

Panti Medicine Trail:

Trail begins at Ix Chel Farm. Medicinal uses of herbs and trees are labeled on the plant trail.

Rio Frio Cave:

Mountain Pine Ridge. Spectular cave half-mile long. Eerie light spills over huge boulders and structures.

Rio On Pools:

Near Rio Frio Cave. Go swimming in a series of minipools which create a series of falls. Start at the top and work your way down. Breathtaking panoramic view.

Vaca Falls:

In the Vaca Falls area, the Chumpiate Maya Cave exhibits a world that is 2,000 years old. Climb up wooden ladders leading to secret ledges holding enormous Maya pottery. A 20 minute jungle hike leads to the cave.

Xunantunich (Stone Woman):

Near the Western border at San Jose Succotz. Reached by hand-cranked car ferry across Mopan River. Major Maya ceremonial center built atop a hill. The largest pyramid, "El Castillo", has been partially excavated and explored, and bears a remarkable stucco frieze on its east side. Three carved stelae found at the site are displayed in the plaza. Panoramic view of Cayo District and distant Guatemala from the top of "El Castillo".

Cerros (Maya Hills):

Ruins of Maya coastal trading center. Reached by 20-minute boat ride across Corozal Bay. Coastal trading center during the late Pre-Classic Period (100 B.C. - 250 A.D.). Its tallest temple rises 21 metres above the plaza floor.

Santa Rita:

A Mayan Ruin one mile north of Corozal. This site was important during the late Post-Classic Period and was occupied up to the time of Spanish contact in the 1500s. The existing site offers a view of the town and its waterfront.

Shipstern Nature Reserve:

One hour drive from Orange Walk or three miles from Sarteneja. More than 200 species of butterflies. Learn how to raise butterflies. Visit on a sunny day.

Cuello:

Small ceremonial center with 2,600-year-old history, now believed to be the oldest known Maya Ruin.

Lamanai (Submerged Crocodile):

Ruins of a once magnificent Maya city. Displays the more exotic features of ancient Maya art and architecture. Lamanai had a long occupation span dating from 1500 B.C. to the 19th century, which includes the contact period with Spaniards. Historical occupation is represented in the remains of two Christian churches and a sugar mill.

Rio Bravo Conservation Area:

Northwestern Belize. Walk the "Mahogany Trail" through this tropical forest. Visit La Milpa, the third largest Maya site in Belize.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary:

Entrance at village of Maya Center. World's first and only jaguar preserve. Puma, ocelot, jaguarundi and Baird's tapir, national animal of Belize also inhabit the area.

Placencia Peninsula:

Parallels the southern coast of Belize for nearly 15 miles. Miles of beach and lots of attractions make this place not to be missed. Guided kayak tours available.

Fallen Stones Butterfly Ranch:

Located almost two miles from Lubaantun ruins, this ranch produces butterfly pupae for export.

Lubaantun (The Place of Fallen Stones):

Late Classic ceremonial center is noted for its unusual style of construction, distinctive of Southern Belize. Pyramids were made of precision-cut stone blocks with no mortar to bind them together. The buildings on top of the pyramids were made of perishable materials rather than masonry and hence do not remain.

Nim Li Punit (Big Hat):

May have held a special relationship with nearby Lubaantun. Twenty-five miles north of Punta Gorda, off the Southern Highway. Twenty-five stelae stand at the site. One stelae found here is the largest carved stelae in Belize.

Uxbenka (Old Place):

Three miles west of San Antonio. A breathtaking panoramic view of the Maya Mountain foothills.