Caracol (The Snail)

Belize’s premier Maya site with a rich and exciting history, Caracol is deep in the heart of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve of the Maya Mountains in the Cayo District.

The main temple, Canaa, (“sky place”) offers you incredible views of the surrounding jungle. At 143 feet high, it is the tallest manmade structure in the country. The ancient Maya created not only a spectacular structure but also incorporated excellent acoustics so that priests and rulers using normal speaking voices could be heard clearly by the masses assembled in the plaza below.

Covering an area of nearly 25,000 acres, this site is impressive not only for its size but also its immense agricultural field system and elaborate city planning.

Much work has gone into the restoration of the temples and the surrounding environment in order to give visitors a vivid sense of the life of the ancient Maya.

When you go …

Because of its remote location -  including a drive through the Pine Ridge Mountains –

Caracol is one of the most pristine and well-kept Maya sites in Belize. You can learn more about tour operators who can help you make your trip to Caracal a memorable adventure.

Visit the official Maya 2012 website to learn more about Caracol.