Belize is an extraordinary country rich in nature life. If you take a visit or maybe fly above with an airplane you will view all the beautiful forests reserved areas, islands, jungles, different animals and friendly people of many cultures. The most attractive places for tourists are the Mayan archaeological sites. Belize is known as the central center of the Mayan's ancient life. The main four Mayan sites that are widely visited are:
XUNANTUNICH - Xunantunich means "Maiden of the Rock" in Mayan. It is located about 120 kilometers from Belice City near the Maya village of San Jose Succotz. To get to the ruins you need to take a ferry, with your car, across the Mopan River. The ruins of Cahal Pech and El Pilar are both located very near Xunantunich. There is written evidence suggesting that the city was once called Benque Viejo. The ruins are situated on the border of Guatemala near a dense concentration of Maya sites. Xunantunich lies almost straight east of Tikal and may in fact have been a fairly important provincial center, perhaps a regional capital. There is a fine astronomical carved frieze on the main palace building.
SANTA RITA COROZAL - The site of Santa Rita is located in the City of Corozol. It is reachable by car or taxi. Due to its location some archaeologists believe that Santa Rita was probably the ancient and important Maya city of Chetumal. From this location the city held control of the trade routes along the coast during the early Classic period. They also could control the entrances to the Rio Hondo and New River which were major arteries of trade to Lamanai and the Peten Region. Archaeologists have identified strong trade links with major centers deep within the interior.
NOHMUL - Nohmul means 'Great Mound' in Mayan. Nohmul is spread out among privately owned sugar cane fields 7 miles north of Orange Walk Town in northern Belize. The site occupies about 12 square miles of land. Nohmul was occupied first during the Pre-Classic era from 350 B.C. to A.D. 250 and again during the Late Classical period from 600 to 900 A.D.
LUBAATUN - Lubaantún is located in the very south of Belize and is only 6 miles from Nim Li Punit. Its name means "place of fallen stones" in Mayan. Probably named because of its dry masonry style of architecture. There is now much debate over whether Lubaatún was a site or part of Nim Li Punit. The debate is over stelae. Nim Li Punit has way to many and Lubaatún has none. One reasonable explanation for this is that perhaps Nim Li Punit was the ceremonial center and Lubaatún was the commercial center.
Altun Ha:
the priests of the sun
