Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve

National reserve · Cayo

Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve

National reserve · Cayo

3

Cahal Pech Resort Rd &, Arch St, San Ignacio, Belize

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Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by  
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by  
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null

Highlights

Maya ruins with preserved structures, plaza, ball court, museum  

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Cahal Pech Resort Rd &, Arch St, San Ignacio, Belize Get directions

nichbelize.org

Information

Static Map

Cahal Pech Resort Rd &, Arch St, San Ignacio, Belize Get directions

+501 804 0207
nichbelize.org

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Aug 22, 2025

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@afar

"Explore the Ruins at Cahal Pech On a hill just above the town of San Ignacio, on a site that only covers about two acres, lie the Maya ruins of Cahal Pech. Like so many of the Maya sites around Belize , steps have been taken to ensure that what remains is preserved and that visitors are able to explore structures at their leisure. The name apparently means “place of ticks” and was chosen because the area around the ruins was used as land for grazing animals. Cahal Pech, settled in 1000 BC and no longer inhabited by 800 AD, was a royal palace for a ruling Maya family, and the site consists of seven plazas plus structures that include temples, a ball court, homes and an altar. Not all of the ruins are in excellent shape but climb to the top for wonderful views of the surrounding river valley. There is also a visitor center and museum on site."

The Best Thing To Do in Belize
View Postcard for Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve
@afar

"Explore the Ruins at Cahal Pech On a hill just above the town of San Ignacio, on a site that only covers about two acres, lie the Maya ruins of Cahal Pech. Like so many of the Maya sites around Belize , steps have been taken to ensure that what remains is preserved and that visitors are able to explore structures at their leisure. The name apparently means “place of ticks” and was chosen because the area around the ruins was used as land for grazing animals. Cahal Pech, settled in 1000 BC and no longer inhabited by 800 AD, was a royal palace for a ruling Maya family, and the site consists of seven plazas plus structures that include temples, a ball court, homes and an altar. Not all of the ruins are in excellent shape but climb to the top for wonderful views of the surrounding river valley. There is also a visitor center and museum on site."

Seven Maya Sites to Visit in Belize
View Postcard for Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve
@afar

"Explore the Ruins at Cahal Pech On a hill just above the town of San Ignacio, on a site that only covers about two acres, lie the Maya ruins of Cahal Pech. Like so many of the Maya sites around Belize , steps have been taken to ensure that what remains is preserved and that visitors are able to explore structures at their leisure. The name apparently means “place of ticks” and was chosen because the area around the ruins was used as land for grazing animals. Cahal Pech, settled in 1000 BC and no longer inhabited by 800 AD, was a royal palace for a ruling Maya family, and the site consists of seven plazas plus structures that include temples, a ball court, homes and an altar. Not all of the ruins are in excellent shape but climb to the top for wonderful views of the surrounding river valley. There is also a visitor center and museum on site."

Two Weeks in Belize
View Postcard for Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve

Max Hilton

Google
Pretty cool site to explore! We were able to get lots of great pictures on the Mayan ruins with no one else around! Definitely recommend to those coming to San Ignacio! Only costs 20 belize currency!

Daniel Navarro

Google
Amazing experience. Take a cab up here and save your legs for climbing. The steps here are pretty steep. If you read in the visitor center you learn they were not made for every day climbing, that only the privilege do it. Can be slippery after a rain storm. Worthy of the $10 USD. Perhaps better if done with a guide?

Harrison Cornell

Google
All of the history was great! You definitely don’t need a guide if you take the time to go through the museum, which is beyond informative. It was really cool to see and learn all of the history on our first day in San Ignacio.

Zhao L

Google
Very well maintained area. Much better and bigger than expected. They let you climb these pyramids, which is a first experience for me. Do watch out though, some of them are steep, and it’s easier to get up and harder to get down. The entry fee price of 10USD is very fair for such a large and well maintained area.

Caitlin Jorgenson

Google
This was such a fun place to visit! We had previously been to Xunantunich, so it was fun to compare the similarities and differences. You are able to climb quite a bit which is very fun, and the museum is small but has lots of great information about the Mayan history.

Hope O'Grady

Google
Amazing and very peaceful ruins. Just before closing the last light of the sun was very special here.

Johannah Baltus

Google
This place was so cool and tucked right in the neighborhood! We had visited Xunantunich Mayan Ruins earlier in the day with a tour guide, so that helped give us some context to this visit. We did not have a guide for this site, but there was a helpful visitor center that had some great info. The site is easy to navigate with pathways and lots of shade. We also saw a howler monkey which was an added bonus!

Amber Williams

Google
Went after Xunatunich and did not disappoint. Lots of nooks and crannies to explore here and plenty to climb up and around. Be advised if planning to pay the entry fee in cash: they refused our $20 USD bill (which was fully intact with no tears and not wrinkled or defaced in anyway). She pointed to a sign saying forgein currency can't be torn. When my husband pressed to be shown where the tears were (truly it was like a new bill), she said "all around the edge" (?). It was ok because they also took cards but if you only have cash, be aware. Worth a visit for sure. More shade than at Xunatunich, which offered respite.