Overview:

Caracol In Belize is one of the largest Maya archaeological sites in Belize. It is located in the Cayo District of Belize, about 35 miles south of San Ignacio Town and 19 miles northwest of Chiquibul National Park. The archaeological site has been continuously inhabited by the Maya since the Preclassic period. Caracol was an important political center during the Classic period (A.D. 300 to 900), and gains its importance through its strategic military role. The ancient city is best known for its pyramid known as "El Castillo" that rises 130 feet above the rainforest canopy, making it one of the tallest structures in the Maya world. The site contains many other impressive masonry buildings, monumental sculpture, stelae, and extensive plazas. Caracol has been a popular destination for archaeological research and tourists for many years, and is a major attraction near San Ignacio. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belize
Prominent Features:

1. Mayan Ruins: The Caracol archaeological site in Belize is comprised of the ancient and historically significant Mayan ruins of the pre-Columbian era. These ruins date back to around 500 B.C. and are some of the largest and most impressive Mayan structures in Central America. 2. Pyramids: Caracol is home to two impressive pyramids, the Caana (Sky Palace) pyramid and the second, smaller Acropolis pyramid. These pyramids are just over 140 feet tall and include multiple levels and terraces. 3. Mesoamerican Ball Court: Caracol also features a Mesoamerican ball court, where ancient ball games were played. The court is 225 feet long and serves as a reminder of the many cultures and civilizations that have left their mark on this region. 4. Observatory: There is also an astronomical observatory at Caracol, where ancient Mayans would observe celestial events and, perhaps, record them in their hieroglyphics. This observatory was used by both militaries and religious leaders in the area centuries ago. 5. Water Reservoirs: Caracol is home to several large reservoirs, which were used to store drinking water and may even have been used for ritual purposes by the Mayans. These reservoirs are even today still evident in the ruins of Caracol. This national monument of Belize portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The ancient Maya city of Caracol, located in the north-central part of what is now Belize, is one of the largest centers of the Classic Maya civilization. Caracol was a major political power in the region from around three hundred AD to around eight hundred AD, when the earliest records of the city began to appear. At its height, Caracol had a population of around 120,000 people, and was the largest settlement in the region. Due to its proximity to several other major urban centers, Caracol was an important political, economic, and religious center in the region. Caracol was sacked by invading forces from the rival city-state of Tikal in 611 AD, but soon recovered and continued to thrive until it was abandoned around 890 AD. The ruins of Caracol have now been extensively excavated by archaeologists. The city's impressive architecture, its hieroglyphs and art, and its artifacts have shed considerable light on the culture of the ancient Maya. In addition, its well-preserved and strategically placed fortifications indicate Caracol’s influence in the region and its importance as a political and military center. You must visit one of these historical places in Belize on your Belize tour

Interesting facts:

1. Caracol is the largest known Classic period Maya site in Belize, and one of the largest in the Southern Maya Lowlands. 2. Its estimated population at its peak period was about 150,000 people, making it the largest population center in Belize and one of the largest in the region. 3. Its estimated time of occupation was from about 250-850 AD, during the Classic period, with its peak in the 6th century. 4. Caracol includes more than 35,000 structures, including monuments, plazas, temples, residential blocks and other archeological features. 5. In the earlier years, Caracol was an important regional capital – its influence spread throughout the Maya area of Belize, extending far outside Caracol’s own polity’s boundaries. 6. Caracol is located in Cayo District in Belize, and is easily accessible from the neighboring communities by a few miles of largely unpaved roads. 7. The Caracol site is presently under the aegis of the Belize Institute of Archaeology, and is open to the public. 8. Caracol is known for its remarkable structures, including the iconic pyramid El Castillo, which is Belize’s tallest structure at 143 feet, surpassing even the Belizean temple at Xunantunich. 9. The site has many other impressive structures, such as Caana (sky palace), the world’s tallest man-made structure at the time of its completion, and the impressive palace complex Group A. 10. The site has provided researchers with information regarding the region’s social and political hierarchies, including the fact that it was ruled by a single family for over a century, and was pivotal in the regional control of the territories surrounding it. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belize with your friends and family.