Maya Mountains Travel Guide
Travel to Maya Mountains - Belize’s Mountain Heartland
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The Maya Mountains are the dominant natural feature of mainland Belize and are a major factor in defining Belize as a leading wildlife and adventure tourism destination. Home to magnificent jungle scenery, wonderful caves carved into the limestone rock, and the source of numerous rivers, it is little wonder that the Maya used the area for ceremonial and urban centres, including the vast Mayan city of Caracol.
The Maya Mountains must be considered in tandem with San Ignacio, which is the feeder town for most of the mountain range, when approaching from the north.
The Maya Mountains are located in western Belize and eastern Guatemala, the range and associated foothills containing a number of important Mayan ruins.
The tallest mountain is often said to be Victoria Peak at 1,120m (3,675 feet), which is located about 256 km (160 mi) south of Belmopan, Belize's capital. Doyle’s Delight, 60km further southwest, however, was recently crowned the highest mountain in Belize, at 1,124 m.
Other attractions in the mountains such as the sites of Lubaantun, Nim Li Punit, and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary can be accessed from the Hummingbird and Southern Highways in the Stann Creek and Toledo districts.
Attractions in Maya Mountains
The must-see site here is the Mayan city of Caracol. The chances here that any tour here will be combined with a visit to the natural attractions along the way – waterfalls, rivers and caves in a stunning jungle-covered mountain setting.
In Mayan belief systems, caves were seen as the entrance to the underworld, called Xibalba, and so Barton Creek Cave, Che Chem Ha Cave and Rio Frio Cave all contain Mayan-period skeletons and artefacts.
The forest throws up some surprises of its own, not just in terms of wildlife, but also the medicinal applications of the plants contained within – learn about these at the Rainforest Medicine Trail.
Activities in Maya Mountains
There is a vast array of activities in the Maya Mountains, from walking, exploring Mayan ruins, wildlife watching or enjoying the rivers of the region, you won’t be short of things to do.
Relaxing
A picnic overlooking Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and the Thousand Foot Falls.
Getting Around
There is no public transport: it is necessary to have your own transport or book on one of the many organised tours on offer in San Ignacio.
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