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Altun Ha Ruins

Mayan Temple Adventures

Altun Ha Mayan Temple

Altun Ha - Read More
Description:  The site was not known about, until 1963, when a bush pilot spotted the ruins from the air.  Altun Ha is about 33 miles from Belize City (off the Northern highway), and secretly tucked away and hidden in the jungle.  Altun Ha was once a ceremonial center, occupied during the classic period.  The location of the site, was situated so that the community could take advantage of the trading that once occurred between the waters of the Caribbean and the deep interior of the Mayan people.  In the Mayan language the name means, “Stones by the Water”.

The entire city covers about (3) square miles, with the population being estimated between 8,000 to 10,000 people at its peak.  Though the site is quite small in size, this Mayan site has become famous mainly for a large jade head recently excavated from the main temple, (representing the sun god Kinich Ahau).  This head is the largest Mayan jade artifact to be discovered to date, weighing 10 pounds.  It has become a national symbol of Belize and seen on the corner of every Belizean banknote.

Altun Ha is a city of over 500 mounts (only 15 of them) have been truly excavated.  The city is surrounded by a thick broad leaf forest, which holds the secrets to the Mayan people.  Here you will walk through, approximately 275 of these partially excavated mounds.  Hike some of the highest monumental structures, where the elite families once lived and enjoyed a panoramic view from above.

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Altun Ha Mayan Ruins

     Your journey takes you to the Belize mainland where you will visit the Altun Ha Mayan Ruins.   This tour is typically coupled with another half day tour, making this mainland activity a full-day tour.
     Altun Ha is located about 31 miles (1/2 hour) north of Belize City on the Old Norther Highway (just past Sandhill Village).  You follow the Old Northern Highway about 14 miles, and then on your left is Rockstone Pond Road.  You follow this for another two-miles.  This dirt road connects the main road to the site.
     The most significant find ny archeologists to-date, is the Maya Jade Head.  It is believed that his jade head represents the Mayan Sun God, Kinich Ahua.  It is the largest object of carved jade discovered in the Maya civilization thus far, and is considered one of the crown jewels of Belize.
     Why visit Altun Ha?  Because it helps you to understand the history of they Mayan World.  In its day, Altun Ha was an important trading, agricultural and ceremonial center to the Mayan people.  The temple here focuses on the worship of the sun, and is dedicated to the Mayan Sun God.  One of the artifacts excavated at this site, is a spectacular round jade carved replica, believed to be the head of Kinich Aha, the Mayan Sun God. 
     Archeologists estimate that Altun Ha was occupied from 350 BC to about 95 AD.  For bird lovers, this is a great site to do a little bird watching. The area around the Altun Ha is rich in wildlife including armadillos, bats, squirrels, agouti, paca, foxes, raccoons, coati, tyra, tapir and the white-tailed deer. Two hundred species of birds have been recorded and there are large crocodiles that inhabit the Maya-made water reservoir. Altun Ha, a major ceremonial and vital trade center during the Classic Period, has two principal plazas.

PHOTO GALLERY 


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  • HOME
  • BOOK NOW
  • RATES
  • ACCOMMODATIONS
  • ABOUT US
    • Reviews & Testimonials
    • The Property
    • The Neighborhood
    • Blog - Belize Adventure
    • Blog - 2 Boys in Belize
    • FAQ
  • ABOUT BELIZE
    • Where is Belize?
    • Traveling to Belize >
      • International Flights & Airlines
      • Belize Visas & Immigration
      • Arriving in Belize
      • Belize Land Borders
      • Getting to the Island
      • Departing Belize
      • What to Bring
      • How To Save Money
    • Best Time to Visit
    • Know Before You Go
    • Is Belize Safe?
    • Belize by the Month
    • Belize Festivals >
      • Food Festivals
      • Chocolate Festival
      • Lobster Festival
      • Mango Festival
      • Taco Festival
    • Belize Maps
    • Belize History
    • Ambergris Caye
    • San Pedro
  • ADVENTURES
    • Where to Eat
    • Things to Do
    • Diving >
      • Diving in Belize
      • Diving Vacations
      • Diving Blue Hole
      • Diving Turneffe Atoll
      • Diving Barrier Reef
      • Diving Basil Jones
      • Night Diving
    • Snorkeling >
      • Snorkel in Belize
      • Snorkeling Vacations
      • Hol Chan Marine
      • Shark Ray Alley
      • Mexico Rocks & Tres Cocos
      • Coral Gardens
      • Blue Hole Snorkeling
      • Bachalar Chico Marine
    • Fishing >
      • Fishing in Belize
      • Fishing Vacations
      • Deep Sea Fishing
      • Reef Fishing
      • Flat Fishing
      • Night Fishing
      • Robles Fishing, Snorkel & Beach BBQ
      • Fishing Charters
    • Sailing >
      • Sailing in Belize
      • Sailing Vacations
      • Day Sail to Caye Caulker
      • Manatee Watch Snorkel Goff Caye
      • Sail Around the Island
      • Sunset Sail
      • Sunset Houseboat
      • Sunset Dinner Cruise
      • Sunset Houseboat-Tapas
      • Island Hopping
      • Private Catamaran Charters
    • Jungle >
      • Jungles in Belize
      • Jungle Vacations
      • Bird Watching
      • Birds of Belize
      • Belize Annual Bird Festival
      • Zip Lining
      • Jungle Trek
      • Antelope Falls Rappelling
      • ATV Jungle Bikes
      • Horseback Riding
      • Belize Zoo
      • Baboon Santuary
    • Caves >
      • Caving in Belize
      • Caving Vacations
      • ATM Cave
      • Black Hole Cave Rappelling
      • Cave Tubing
      • Cave Canoeing
      • Cave Waterfall Rappellilng
      • Cave Kayaking
      • Lost World Expedition
      • River Cave Expedition
      • 7 Miles of Caves
    • Mayan Temples >
      • Temples in Belize
      • Mayan Vacations
      • Altun Ha Ruins
      • Cahal Pech Ruins
      • Caracol Ruins
      • Cerros Maya Ruins
      • Lamanai Mayan Ruins
      • Lubaantun Site
      • Nim Li Punit Ruins
      • Santa Rita Mayan Ruins
      • Tikal (Guatamala)
      • Xunantunich
    • Gallery >
      • Jungle Zip Lining
      • ATM Cave
      • Lamanai Mayan Ruins
      • Belize Zoo
      • Hol Chan-Shark Ray
      • Cave Tubing
      • Xunantunich
  • CONTACT US