Deep in the Belizean jungle are the Caracol Maya ruins. Sure it’s not as large as the nearby Tikal, in Guatemala, or as well known as some ruins in Mexico. However, the remote location and challenging roads make Caracol a quiet, reverent and impressive experience. And don’t think that because fewer people visit Caracol it is small. Caracol was a huge town once and the ruins there today are beautifully excavated. But the journey to Caracol is long and challenging so continue reading to find out how to visit Caracol, Belize.
About Caracol
Caracol was once the center of the Maya world. The city covered approximately 77 square miles, and area larger than any present day Belizean city. Caracol has more structures per square mile than the nearby Tikal, suggesting that the population was larger. It is believed that Caracol was one of the most politically important and prosperous Maya settlements during the Classic Period and the prosperity of the community lasted longer than of the other nearby cities. At the height of prosperity, Caracol is believed to have been home to between 100,000-180,000 people.
Caracol was first reported in present day documents in 1937 and archaeological visits began soon after. Excavations and exploration of Caracol have occurred intermittently since then.
Getting There and Around
Caracol is in the San Ignacio region of Belize along with several other Maya sites like Xunantunich and Cahal Pech. San Ignacio is the second largest city in Belize and is a great base camp for exploring the Belizean jungle or the Maya history nearby.
There is only one road to Caracol. The road begins outside of San Ignacio, turns to dirt, and then becomes paved once again 10 miles before Caracol. Starting in 2019, the road to Caracol began a massive upgrade. The unpaved portion of the road is getting paved and several bridges along the road are being replaced. This construction is still continuing in 2023 and has no anticipated completion date. So between the old crumbling road, the rough dirt road and the construction, suffice it to say that the drive to Caracol is adventurous.
The drive to Caracol takes around 2 hours.
So is this adventurous drive for you?
Visiting Caracol: Guided Tour Vs. Self-Drive
We went with a guide and he drove us in his vehicle. While this did cost us $125 USD/person, having someone drive us for 4 hours and give us a guided tour made the price seem like a deal. So if you’d like to drive yourself, you can but a guided tour from San Ignacio is the option that we would recommend.
We went with MayaWalk for our tour. This was guaranteed to be a small group tour and it ended up being just the two of us and our guide. Tours do need a minimum of two people in order to go, so keep this in mind if you are traveling solo. We also went with Xplore Inland Tours for our ATM cave tour and they were wonderful as well. So we can personally recommend both of those tour companies located in San Ignacio.
However, if you choose to travel to Caracol on your own there are a few things to know. First, you will need to drive yourself there; taxis and buses don’t go there. Second, you’ll need to have rented a 4WD vehicle from San Ignacio or another large city. When you explore Caracol, you will have very little information explaining what you are seeing so attempt to do some research ahead of time so you can have context for your visit. You’ll also need to pack a lunch for your visit as this is a full day visit, regardless of how long you spend at Caracol.
Things to See on the Caracol Drive
On your way to or from Caracol, there are a few stops you can make. You can see all three if you drive yourself. However, if you go with a tour, they’ll likely take you to 1-2 of these stops. Ask your tour company what extra stops come with your Caracol tour before you book.
The beautiful drive to Caracol is through the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and Chiquibul Forest Reserve. These natural places are home to some amazing natural wonders.
Rio Frio Cave
First, Rio Frio Cave is a large cave with a sandy beach inside it. You won’t have time to stay for a swim but exploring the large cave is fun. And this is a great cave for people even if they are not fond of small spaces. This is because the Rio Frio Cave has a huge opening on one side and a small opening on the other. So even though you’re in a cave, you can always see the outside world.
Big Rock Falls
Big Rock Falls is an impressive waterfall that you can play in. Its the largest waterfall on the drive that you can get up close to. However, it’s also the longest detour from your Caracol drive.
Rio On Pools
Next, Rio On Pools is a set of cascading small waterfalls. The best part is you can play in them! There are small changing stalls on site that make it easy to slip into and out of your swimsuit.
1000 Foot Falls
Lastly, 1000 Foot Falls is another side trip you can take along the Caracol road. Our tour company also offered this as a stop but we chose Rio On Pools instead as 1000 foot falls is only a viewpoint and doesn’t allow you to go for a refreshing swim.
All of these stops or the turnoffs for them are about an hour away from Caracol. So if you do stop at them, consider them about halfway there or back.
What to Expect at Caracol
Once you’re at Caracol, the ruins are amazing! Everything about them is amazing.
First, you can climb to the top of the tallest structures and see the beautiful landscape around you which includes both Belize and Guatemala.
Second, because of the long and arduous journey there, you’ll see nary a soul around. This is amazing compared with other Maya ruins. Seriously, check out these photos. We didn’t even have to photoshop people out of them.
Third, if you’re visiting with a tour, you’ll learn a ton of Maya history. Like how these structures were built upon even older structures. And how the pyramid would have been painted red. And where the ancient rulers were buried.
Additionally, you’ll get to explore (replicas) of some of the best preserved Maya etchings ever uncovered.
However, our favorite part of visiting Caracol was how close you get to come with history. There is virtually no part of Caracol that you are not allowed to explore. And you can even see ancient pottery and stone tools in the dirt. While this may seem like a neat souvenir, leave these for others to find. It is a real Indiana Jones moment when you find your first bit of jewelry or pottery in the ground.
Lastly, don’t forget to keep your eye out for howler monkeys. These monkeys live in the nearby jungles and make some super scary noises. Try not to egg them on like an inconsiderate tourist, it’s not good for them. You may also see some beautiful Montezuma Oropendolas as well. These beautiful birds make hanging nests in trees above the ruins. And they make some very unique calls that will get your attention. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for leaf-cutter ants as well – one of our favorite bugs.
How Much Does A Trip To Caracol Cost?
If you are driving yourself:
- $7.50 USD – Admission into Caracol – cash only
- $80 USD – a one day rental of a 4WD vehicle in Belize
If you are taking a tour:
- Between $120-130 USD per person.
- We tipped our guide $40 USD. I would not say tips are required but the guides in Belize are fantastic and deserve them and are really appreciative of them.
What To Pack When Visiting Caracol?
Make sure to pack your swimsuit (that stays on well) and a quick drying towel if you are visiting Rio On Pools or Big Rock Falls.
A full water bottle or hydration pack is a must! This needs to be filled at your hotel. There were bathrooms at the the entrance to Caracol. However, as a majority of Belizean water is undrinkable you shouldn’t fill your water bottles up here.
Make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes to Caracol and clothes that are comfortable to move it.
Safety
If you’re thinking of going to Caracol and you’ve done some research, you’ve likely seen that there were a few years when Guatemalan banditos were robbing tourists at gunpoint. This rumor was confirmed by our tour guide who had been robbed once himself. And while this does sound terrifying, the Belizean government has since started running live ammo training drills in the jungle surrounding Caracol. This active military presence seems to have helped to decrease the frequency of these thefts. However, being so close to a disputed border does still mean law enforcement in the area is harder to maintain. So whether you go to Caracol on your own or with a guide, you’ll want to keep all of your valuables at home and only take a small amount of cash with you.
There used to be a daily military escort from the military base to the ruins. However, since COVID, that escort has been discontinued. However, you will still need to check in and check out at a military checkpoint. This is required whether you are driving on your own or with a guide. I’m not sure what happens if you fail to check out, but hopefully no one has to find out.
Honestly, visiting Caracol was one of the most intimate and mythical experiences in Belize. We loved everything about our tour and learning about the Maya. We hope this post has helped you to plan your own visit to Caracol. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments below.
Thank you for your insightful post. Just wrapping up a 30-day SE Asia tour with my 22-year-old son and looking for an adventure with a direct flight from Seattle for me to scout and take my fiancée back for a longer thrip. Your details and similar travel style are greatly appreciated.
That sounds like an amazing trip! And I loved Belize. But I do tell everyone that it is an adventurous destination – which sounds perfect for you. Good luck getting there.