/
Belize
/
Cayo District
/
San Ignacio
/
Tours & Activities
/
Caracol Day Trip & Water Fall from San Ignacio
1 day
Full Day
Instant confirmation
About this activity
After a 7 a.m. hotel pickup in San Ignacio, board your comfortable minivan or SUV for the approximate 2.5-hour drive to Caracol, located within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. En route, stop for a swim at Rio On Pools or Big Rock Falls, located on the Mountain Pine Ridge.
Upon arrival, follow your guide on foot along a forest trail, where you’ll learn about regional flora and fauna as you take in the stunning scenery. Observe how the trees of this lowland tropical broadleaf rainforest have taken over, guarding the ancient mysteries of Caracol. You'll see where the Mayans once gazed at the stars, conducted their most sacred rituals, and plotted battles.
Begin your tour at the visitor's center, which exhibits a number of artifacts from the site, including a recovered ceremonial altar. Your guide recounts the prehistory of peasants and nobles who built and used the courtyards, residences, and astronomical observatory within the complex. Around midday, enjoy a packed lunch before continuing your tour.
View three plaza groups surrounding a central acropolis and two ball courts, along with a number of smaller structures. Visit one of Caracol’s largest buildings, a pyramid called Caana, which rises more than 140 feet (43 meters) above the forest floor.
Your guide will point out the many hieroglyphic texts carved on stela, altars, and wall facades. Learn about the discovery of an ornately carved ball-court-marker, interpreted by archeologists as a claim of military victory over Tikal.
At the end of your tour, board your coach for the return trip to San Ignacio with drop-off at your hotel around 5 p.m.
Read more
Show less
Upon arrival, follow your guide on foot along a forest trail, where you’ll learn about regional flora and fauna as you take in the stunning scenery. Observe how the trees of this lowland tropical broadleaf rainforest have taken over, guarding the ancient mysteries of Caracol. You'll see where the Mayans once gazed at the stars, conducted their most sacred rituals, and plotted battles.
Begin your tour at the visitor's center, which exhibits a number of artifacts from the site, including a recovered ceremonial altar. Your guide recounts the prehistory of peasants and nobles who built and used the courtyards, residences, and astronomical observatory within the complex. Around midday, enjoy a packed lunch before continuing your tour.
View three plaza groups surrounding a central acropolis and two ball courts, along with a number of smaller structures. Visit one of Caracol’s largest buildings, a pyramid called Caana, which rises more than 140 feet (43 meters) above the forest floor.
Your guide will point out the many hieroglyphic texts carved on stela, altars, and wall facades. Learn about the discovery of an ornately carved ball-court-marker, interpreted by archeologists as a claim of military victory over Tikal.
At the end of your tour, board your coach for the return trip to San Ignacio with drop-off at your hotel around 5 p.m.
Included
- Local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio Town
- Entry/Admission - Caracol Mayan Ruins
- Entry/Admission - Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
Not included
- Gratuities
- Box lunch
- Hotel Pick up and Drop off outside of San Ignacio town limits
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Please note: a minimum of 2 passengers is required in order for this tour to operate. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund. Hotel pick up and drop off included is for hotels within San Ignacio town limits. For hotels outside of San Ignacio town, a surcharge applies.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
60%
Original
25%
Reviews
Similar activities in San Ignacio
Click to discover other experiences
The ride to Caracol wasn't too bad. The ruins are amazing and swimming in the waterfall after was also great.
Excellent tour. The guide was part of the excavation project in the '90's and had lots of excellent insight into the archaeology and history of the area. On the return trip, he was flexible on our visit to a local cave and the Rio on Pools swimming site. The driver provided the opportunity for a stop en-route, which was appreciated. The vehicle was clean and in good shape considering its arduous daily journey. The driver took his time with potholes, making for a very pleasant ride given the rough circumstances.