Travel Tips

The road to Caracol is long, dusty and very bumpy. It's a 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive from San Ignacio on almost exclusively dirt roads. 4-wheel drive is an absolute must, and make sure you have a spare tire that's in good shape. There are only a few villages on the way. Most of the trip is through a forest reserve and national park. So convenience stores are far and few between and there are none close to Caracol itself. You must bring all of the food and water that you will need for the day.

The Caana is the largest structure in Caracol and is also the largest man-made structure in Belize today. The climb may seem daunting, but the view and the relatively cool breeze at the top are worth it.

This is an excavated Mayan neighborhood. I liked the little alley between the buildings.

The jungle grows on and through the structures at Caracol. Slowly but surely the excavators are uncovering and rebuilding the ancient structures.

Just as at Xunantunich, the friezes found at Caracol are replicas. The originals are buried to prevent further deterioration.

Your climbing efforts to the top of the Caana are rewarded by the view and the cooler breeze.

Agricultural terraces have been uncovered and replanted with grass.