Caracol Voyage Tips and guide

Caracol is a Maya archaeological site in the Cayo region of Belize. It is a large site with many restored and documented structures, but is in a remote area near the Guatemala border.

The Maya called the city Uxwitza. Spanish conquistadors named it Caracol because of the circular roadway leading to the ancinet city.

Caracol was a major city in the Maya world. At its peak, it was larger in area than the modern Belize City with a population about twice that of today's capital. The city extends over an area of about 200 km^2.

Caracol was first occupied around 1200 BC, with most structures dating from the period between 950 BC and 650 AD. The city was a political center and important trade center, with connections to nearby Mayan cities, including several in Guatemala, such as Tikal. By 900 AD, Caracol was embroiled in wars with Tikal and Naranjo, leading to the city's complete abandonment by the year 1050 AD.

In the modern era, archaeologists first learned of Caracol in 1937. Large-scale expeditions to the site excavated structures in the late 1930, 1950s and 1980s. LIDAR imaging in 2008 and 2009 revealed large numbers of unexplored residences and other structures which continue to be examined in ongoing investigations.

The easiest way to visit Caracol is to arrange a tour frome Belize City, Belmopan or San Ignacio.

It is possible to drive to the archaeological site on your own, but it requires a 4WD truck and good preparation. Fill up with gas and bring any food and drink you will need because there are no stores along the way. You should also be comfortable with off-road driving because the road is mostly paved, but some stretches require driving on dirt roads that may have potholes or washed out roadways. In the rainy season, the conditions get worse. The drive from San Ignacio to the site is 81 km and will take just over 2 hours.

To get to the site, first drive to San Ignacio and make inquiries as to the security situation. In the early 2000s, there were incidents of Guatemalan gunmen stopping and robbing individual tourists on the road to Caracol. The government responded by stationing a military garrison at the archaeological site and requiring visitors to travel to the site in a military convoy that left the Douglas D'Silva Forest Station at 9am each morning and returned from the site at 2pm each afternoon.

The military escort is no longer required, but adventurous travelers might it find it prudent to drive the dirt roads together with other vehicles.

The park entrance fee is BZ$15. Cash is preferred and foreign currency may not be accepted. Local guides are not available for hire at the site.

• Table Rock Camp & Cabanas. Excellent eco-lodge on the road to Caracol. Located on the Macal River. 

Stay in San Ignacio (Cayo).