Caracol Natural Monument Reservation

Archaeological site · Cayo

Caracol Natural Monument Reservation

Archaeological site · Cayo

QV7J+6VM, Chiquibil Forest Reserve, Belize

Highlights

Discover the vast, ancient Mayan ruins of Caracol, where you can roam freely and climb impressive temples amid breathtaking natural beauty.

QV7J+6VM, Chiquibil Forest Reserve, Belize Get directions

travelbelize.org

@travelbelize

@afar

"Encountering Caracol The massive ruins of Caracol were once a major Maya metropolis in prehispanic Belize, during the Classic Period. The majority of the site is yet to be reclaimed from the forest, but the structures that have been uncovered are truly impressive. The main structure is still the tallest building in all of Belize and places you "on top of the world." The jungle surrounding the site is teaming with wildlife, and a pair of binoculars come in handy. The ruins are located south of San Ignacio along the rough Mountain Pine Ridge Road. There are several worthwhile stops on the way, such as Rio Frio Cave and Rio On Falls, but the best stop is a cool libation at the Blancaneaux Lodge Bar. By Dijedal"

Seven Maya Sites to Visit in Belize

Paul Watson

Google

Great place to see Mayan ruins. It's a 2 hour drive from San Ignacio and you need to go in the mornings as for safety they make everyone leave the parking lot at 2:15 pm. They are doing a lot of roadwork and bridge building so you might want to go with a tour thought I did drive my rental car.

Nathan Gray

Google

Love this place. It does take 2 hours to get there, and you need to arrive in the morning, as they allow last entry at 2pm and you need to have left by 2.30/3pm for safety reasons (I think). The site is a out of the way, and the road was being rebuilt when we visited - so it was muddy, construction site road much of the way. On-site there is not much in the way of facilities - you need to bring your own lunch and drinks. The Mayan sites themselves are impressive, but still not as big as Tikal. They have only uncovered about 5% of the site, and although its a similar size to Tikal, much less has been excavated. The style of buildings is very different to Tikal in Guatemala, but its very impressive and the temples are big and broad. The palaces are also very very big and broad based. Well worth a visit. Amazing.

Matt Armstrong

Google

Well worth the drive to see it. Stunning. You can't hire guides there so you can take a tour that'll drive you there. We drove in our hire car without guides. As of December 2024 a lot of the road past Rio pools is tarmaced but there are still some off-road style sections. In a car you'd be able to do about 98% of the route but there are spots you'd likely get stuck, especially if it has rained. SUV with off road capability. We had a Kia Sportage and I would say that's a minimum until they finish the road. There is quite a lot of the Mayan ruins to see and a small display before you go in to explain the site. You are literally allowed to climb all over the ruins. The views from the top of these are outstanding. You get a real feel of how remote they are and the history here. Restrooms and sheltered picnic spots available.

M C

Google

Amazing ancient Mayan city. One of the last few that are this big that you can climb. Many of the popular ones are restricting climbing the temples. Enjoy Caracol the way it is now before it becomes way toooooo touristy! They're building a new road to access the site for the tourist from the cruise ship and have easier access to main land attractions, I can guarantee you when that road is complete, this site will see more tourists and probably less access to climbing the temples. The guide from belize family adventure was great, went by the name Cisco (Fransisco). Very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor. Thanks for the great tour Cisco! Lots of info on the Mayan city, and on going archeology. Lunch, water, transportation provide. The short stop at the Rio pools was nice. Don't forget to check out the twin ceiba trees. The tree of life. Beautiful Watch your step, don't stand on the fire ant mounds!

Yosuf S

Google

recently visited Caracol Natural Monument Reservation, and it was an unforgettable experience! The natural beauty of the area is simply breathtaking, with lush forests, stunning waterfalls, and diverse wildlife that make you feel like you're in another world. The hiking trails are well-maintained, offering both easy walks and more challenging treks, depending on what you're looking for. The guides were knowledgeable and passionate about the area's history and ecology, which added a lot to the experience. I appreciated the efforts made to preserve the environment while allowing visitors to enjoy its beauty. Whether you're a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or just someone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Caracol Natural Monument Reservation is a must-visit. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to experience the best of nature.

Matthew McCune

Google

Absolutely amazing place to visit. Ruins are still being uncovered and the grounds are littered with shards of pottery. We visited the last week of June in the rainy season however it only rained heavily one day out of the whole week. There were scattered showers the rest of the week but mostly in the evenings. The rain kept the temps down so the days weren't ridiculously hot. We stayed at Blancaneaux Lodge, which is beautiful with the best staff. I highly recommend this lodge and the guided trip to Caracol.

Jeff deVita

Google

Great place to visit! Four stars only because of how difficult it is to get to! I drove my own vehicle, and the roads are just terrible! Need a high ground clearance 4WD vehicle to get there! The ruins area is amazing! Just pay your entrance, and your free to roam as you please. It appears there are no restrictions on what you can climb and visit, etc. I went with my daughter, and we had no guide. We just explored and did lots of climbing!!! Perhaps a guide would have helped explain more, and it seemed that everyone else there had guides - or came with tour groups. It’s a full day with a tour group and guide. Half day if you drive yourself. Bring food and plenty of water - there’s nothing there! I will definitely go back if I get the chance!

Micah Helland

Google

They're doing lots of work on the road so it's quite accessible now. We had a 2WD SUV and made it there no problem after a few days of rain.