Altun Ha Temples
This tour will introduce you to the breathtaking sights and historical mystery of Altun Ha. Visitors will see the 5 miles (8 km) of land the site encompasses, and then walk around the grand temple-pyramids. Stroll around the bright green, lush grounds and gaze up at a majestic piece of history that gives us so much insight into the mysterious Mayans.
- Duration:
- 5 hrs
- Available Days:
- Every day
- Schedule:
- 8:30 AM
- Hotel Transport Included
- Mobile Ticket Included
- Offered in English, Spanish
One of the most impressive ruins in Belize, the ancient temple of Altun Ha sits at what was once the Maya’s most important trading center. It boasts Belize’s most valuable archeological find: a giant, 9-pound jade sculpture of the Sun God “Kinich Ahau,” thought to be the world’s largest carved jade head.
Historians have many questions about the Maya. On your tour, you’ll learn how the Mayans might have gotten water to use in this swampy region with no clear water sources. You’ll also hear theories about why the tomb at Altun Ha contained a mummy wearing pearls, and the legends behind all the faces carved into the temple walls.
Attraction Visited
Out of all of the Mayan sites in Belize, Altun Ha is the most easily accessible from Belize City. This site was once a major trading center, as indicated by the discoveries of jade, jewelry, pottery, and elaborate sculptures. Just 30 miles (50 km) north of Belize City, Altun Ha is a popular day trip for both cruise ship passengers and independent travelers.
Read more:Altun Ha
What to Bring
Comfortable shoes, hiking clothes, bug spray, a camera, and money for personal expenses.
What's included
Transportation, entrance fees, guided tour, and a bottled water.
Transportation
Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “BOOKING REQUEST” for full details.
Similar things to do
On this tour, you’ll get to see two very different Maya sites. The first, Xuanantinuch, is the ruins of a compact but impressive Maya city. Here visitors can stroll around multiple plazas and temples. At the nearby Barton Creek Cave, you’ll see a cave that served as an entrance to Xibalba, the Maya underworld.
This tour will bring you to the top of a Maya temple, and then to the entrance of the Maya underworld. The temple is inside the Maya city of Xunantunich, which is located near the border of Guatemala. Its name translates to “Maiden of the Rock.” After you ascend the walls of its temple, you’ll continue the tour to the Cave Branch River, where you’ll follow the river into a series of caves that had intense spiritual significance for the Maya.
Touring Xunantunich and the Belize Zoo will give you the opportunity to some of the best natural and cultural destinations Belize has to offer.
