Caracol Natural Monument Reservation

Wow—what an experience. Caracol is absolutely breathtaking and well worth the effort to reach. From San Ignacio, plan for a 2-hour drive. The road is currently undergoing major upgrades thanks to significant government investment, so all vehicle types should likely be able to access the site in the near future. As of now, an SUV is still recommended, especially during the rainy season. Some sections are still unpaved and can become slippery when wet. We were fortunate to visit after several dry days, and our 2017 Kia Soul made it without issue. If traveling during or after heavy rain, check with the park entrance before continuing. Important tip: Download the Belize Institute of Archaeology app before you go. There is no signal at the site. The only QR codes are located at the small museum near the entrance, where you can view the stelae and other artifacts. There are no QR codes at the main ruins. The site is vast, and you’re free to explore and climb all the structures, including the main temples. Wooden staircases are available on the steeper climbs. However, there is very little signage or interpretation on-site, so come prepared with research or consider hiring a guide to fully appreciate what you’re seeing. When we visited, we saw only two other groups. It was peaceful and uncrowded. The view from the top of the main pyramid is stunning—you can see nearly to the Guatemalan border on a clear day. Bonus stop: On your way back, we highly recommend stopping at the Rio On Pools. It’s a beautiful natural swimming spot with smooth rock basins and small waterfalls. It’s free to access, safe for swimming, and has basic change rooms and natural-style bathrooms. Bring a swimsuit for a refreshing post-ruins swim. Final thoughts: Caracol was a highlight of our trip to Belize. If you’re into history, archaeology, or nature, it’s a must-see. Just plan ahead: • Gas up fully in San Ignacio before heading out • Cash only for park entry (you can buy online, but we chose to pay on-site after confirming road conditions) • Check with the gate security for the latest road status before proceeding With the right prep, it’s an unforgettable experience.

Super Maya site, comparable to Tikal and Xunantunich. The location, in the middle of the jungle and at the end of a road, is also unique. Entrance ticket also very reasonable: 25 BZD. Beware nevertheless 1) that there are no guides available on site, 2) that there are no food or drinks available at the entrance, 3) that the road to reach there is under construction with the necessary amount of dust or mud, depending on the season. Count about 2 1/2 h from Belmopan to reach the site,

The road to get there is undergoing improvements, but it’s still easy enough to drive there yourself. Get there early before it gets too hot- you’ll want to climb all the structures. Get a tour guide if you can- otherwise you’ll miss a lot of details!

Great place to see Mayan ruins. It's a 2 hour drive from San Ignacio and you need to go in the mornings as for safety they make everyone leave the parking lot at 2:15 pm. They are doing a lot of roadwork and bridge building so you might want to go with a tour thought I did drive my rental car.

I did Xunantunich the day before caracol, and to be honest, only visit one of the other. Similar architecture, similar setting. Caracol is bigger and more spread out, Xunantunich more compact. The guide we had was great, and getting there early was a blessing in disguise...we climbed all the larger buildings before it got hot. Overall, interesting for sure.

Well worth the drive to see it. Stunning. You can't hire guides there so you can take a tour that'll drive you there. We drove in our hire car without guides. As of December 2024 a lot of the road past Rio pools is tarmaced but there are still some off-road style sections. In a car you'd be able to do about 98% of the route but there are spots you'd likely get stuck, especially if it has rained. SUV with off road capability. We had a Kia Sportage and I would say that's a minimum until they finish the road. There is quite a lot of the Mayan ruins to see and a small display before you go in to explain the site. You are literally allowed to climb all over the ruins. The views from the top of these are outstanding. You get a real feel of how remote they are and the history here. Restrooms and sheltered picnic spots available.

Love this place. It does take 2 hours to get there, and you need to arrive in the morning, as they allow last entry at 2pm and you need to have left by 2.30/3pm for safety reasons (I think). The site is a out of the way, and the road was being rebuilt when we visited - so it was muddy, construction site road much of the way. On-site there is not much in the way of facilities - you need to bring your own lunch and drinks. The Mayan sites themselves are impressive, but still not as big as Tikal. They have only uncovered about 5% of the site, and although its a similar size to Tikal, much less has been excavated. The style of buildings is very different to Tikal in Guatemala, but its very impressive and the temples are big and broad. The palaces are also very very big and broad based. Well worth a visit. Amazing.

Amazing ancient Mayan city. One of the last few that are this big that you can climb. Many of the popular ones are restricting climbing the temples. Enjoy Caracol the way it is now before it becomes way toooooo touristy! They're building a new road to access the site for the tourist from the cruise ship and have easier access to main land attractions, I can guarantee you when that road is complete, this site will see more tourists and probably less access to climbing the temples. The guide from belize family adventure was great, went by the name Cisco (Fransisco). Very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor. Thanks for the great tour Cisco! Lots of info on the Mayan city, and on going archeology. Lunch, water, transportation provide. The short stop at the Rio pools was nice. Don't forget to check out the twin ceiba trees. The tree of life. Beautiful Watch your step, don't stand on the fire ant mounds!