This is the largest known Mayan center of Belize (over 35,000 buildings have been identified on the territory of over 80 sq mi (500 sq km)). Caracol consists of about 20 major plazas, each surrounded by temples, many with commemorative stone stelaes. The main temple (named Ca’ana – ‘Sky Palace’) is 145 feet high (45 m) is now almost fully restored. This is the tallest manmade structure in Belize!. You can enjoy unforgettable breath taking panoramic views over the forest clad mountains.
One of the ancient Maya world’s largest and most important city-states, Caracol thrived during the Classical period (250-850 AD), it held sway over the region and influenced and interacted with other important centers. Caracol sprawled across 65 sq mi (170 km²) (area much larger than present day Belize City!) and contained an estimated population of between 120,000 to 180,000 inhabitants at its peak around 700 AD. The urban area had a radius of 6 mi (10 km) around the site's epicenter. Over 20 miles of broad causeways radiated out of its center like spokes of a wheel, linking a vast network of ceremonial, administrative and trade centers with farms, aquaculture ponds and habitations fed by one of the ancient world’s most impressive irrigation systems. They had astronomic observatory here as well.
The site was discovered in 1938 by a logger looking for mahogany. That same year Archaeological Commissioner A.H. Anderson visited the site and named it ‘Caracol’ (Spanish for ‘shell’ of ‘snail’). The original Mayan name is unknown.
The drive to the site in the early morning occasionally allows guests to take a glimpse of tapirs, jaguars or ocelots, as they break their forest cover to cross the road. The sprawling site contains huge Ceiba, Mahogany and Sapodilla trees and is superb for birding (the rare Keel-billed Motmot is one of the many residents of the site). Wildlife such as Howler and Spider monkeys, the Oscellated Turkey, Coatimundi, Gibnut and Grey Fox are often sighted while quietly wandering along the site’s causeways or along trails connecting the plaza groups.
To book the tour, please write to info@blackorchidresort.com or call +1 866-437-1301 (US/Canada Toll Free)
Rate: $220 USper person when 2 or more participants (includes transportation, entrance fees, guide and lunch). 12.5% tax will be added to the price.
Length of the tour: 8 hours (including time on the way).
Explore our other tours at: http://www.blackorchidresort.com/belize-tours
