Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve
National reserve · Cayo ·

Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve

National reserve · Cayo ·

Maya ruins with temples, ball court, and museum

maya ruins
archaeological site
visitor center
museum
royal palace
explore structures
historical site
ancient site
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by  
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
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve by null

Information

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

Credit card accepted
Debit card accepted
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Information

Static Map

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

+501 804 0207
nichbelize.org

Features

•Credit card accepted
•Debit card accepted
•Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Jan 16, 2026

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@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,701 Cities

"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
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,701 Cities

"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
 
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,701 Cities

"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
 
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve

Kundan S.

Google
Loved our brief visit to Cahal Pech. We reached here because the river en route to Xunatunich got flooded. I can’t tell what I missed - but absolutely loved Cahal Pech. The local guides were professional, overly polite, and knew their stuff. Our tour guide as well as the local guides were each in the industry for over 30 years. They not only explained what we were seeing but went down to the roots, the soul of the ancient place, explaining the whys and how’s behind every building, arch, broken piece of construction, flat gathering ground. Particularly loved the demonstration of acoustics that allowed an entire plaza / courtyard full of people to hear the un-amplified voice of the cowed setting prices for reading goods. Definitely recommend!

Annette F.

Google
Wonderful piece of history. Please be advised that their hours of operation are incorrect. They open at 6am and close at 5pm. However, the last entry into the site is 4pm. We arrived at 4:15pm thinking they closed at 6pm (according to Google at the time. I submitted a request to Google and they corrected the hours 😊) only to be denied entry. They do not have an hours of operation sign posted otherwise I would have took a photo. Besides this issue, we returned the following day and got to experience this ancient site for all its wonder. I absolutely love that you are able to climb them. Beware another reviewer also mentions a room within a room with bats on the ceiling. Bathrooms were clean and small information center was decent for what it is. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area and have time.

Theo D.

Google
Smaller site compared to other Mayan ruins but still a lot to see and we'll worthwhile. Located on Top of a high hill in San Ignacio. Price has increased to $10 USD. Takes an hour or so to explore fully. Not much in the way of interpretative signage so better to tour with a guide.

Rebekah L.

Google
Very quiet site compared to surrounding Mayan ruin sites. You can walk through the structures and see rooms, throne areas, and the museum at the entrance was very informative. Our guide was knowledgeable and showed us the various flora and even invited us to sample the allspice leaf directly from a tree on the grounds.

C. W.

Google
Beautiful spot. It was quite empty when I went. It's a little strange that there are no barriers or guards in the actual site... It could benefit from an audio guide or something like that, but I really enjoyed my time there.

N

Google
A really awesome place very close to downtown San Ignacio. Highly recommend. They close at 5 and do not allow re-entry . So once you are in then you can’t go out to eat and come back in unless pay extra. They close at like 4:45 PM.

J C

Google
A 20 minutes from town. Had the whole place to myself. A great way to fill in a couple of hours. The museum is very educational about the history of Belize.

Glen J.

Google
A relatively small Mayan temple site, it was occupied for most all of Mayan civilization. Very close to town, so easy to visit if you are short on time. Interesting museum and small gift shop.