Caracol Maya Site: Explore Ancient Temples, Rio Frio Cave and Big Rock Falls From San Ignacio
5.0
3 Ratings
San Ignacio
Embark on a journey to Caracol Maya Site in Belize, exploring ancient temples and the impressive Caana pyramid. Discover the Rio Frio Cave and Big Rock Falls in the Mountain Pine Ridge National Reserve.
Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Your adventure begins from 7:00 a.m with a 2-hour drive on a wildlife-rich road through the Mountain Pine Ridge. Many claim to have seen

jaguars and tapirs on the way. The Road to Caracol is an adventure in its own!

Upon arrival at the site, your guide explains its history as he walks you through historical pictures and findings at the on-site museum.Caracol, which means

snail in Spanish, is the largest Maya site in Belize covering about 75 square miles. Occupied around 1200 BC, but its epicenter was not populated until around 650 BC, and was abandoned in approximately 950 AD, with the entire site abandoned by 1050 AD.

Thereafter, it’s off to explore the ancient temples. Try to contain your excitement and listen to your guide while he explains the various structures’ purposes and the stories in the several stelae. Feel free to climb to the very top of Caana, the tallest temple. You will certainly be awestruck!

When our exploration is done, you head to the park where lunch is served. Then head back into the Mountain Pine Ridge with

the option of stopping for a refreshing dip at the beautiful Big Rock Falls.

On your way back from Caracol, you’ll make a stop at Rio Frio Cave & Big Rock Falls in the Mountain Pine Ride.

RIO FRIO CAVE: Two massive 65ft entryways make it extra accessible and creates natural lighting inside. Huge stalactites hang from its massive cathedral-like vault room sized boulders on the ground where a stream flows through, forming pools with cascading falls.

Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate

BIG ROCK FALLS: Deep in the escarpment of the Mountain Pine Ridge, Big Rock Falls is another of the area’s waterfall treasures. The tremendous view of water rushing over the huge 150-ft rock formations and plummeting into the deep perfectly round pool at its base provides a rush of excitement. You won’t regret stopping by to take a nice cold swim, which you will definitely enjoy regardless if you are on your own, with someone or with your family.

Departure: After having visited each site, we’ll proceed onto making our way out of the Mountain Pine Ridge and back into San Ignacio, arriving around 4:00PM (depending on your individual pace).

Difficulty level: active

After an adventurous ride and a short hike down a steep path, you arrive at one of the most secluded and relaxing destinations with an amazing waterfall and natural pool for a refreshing dip.

What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • National Park fees
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Driver/guide
  • Snacks
  • Lunch
  • Free Hotel pick up and drop off for hotels within San Ignacio Town ONLY.
  • Goods and Services Tax (GST)
  • Pick ups at hotels outside of San Ignacio will incur extra charges.
  • Beverages
  • All activities
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off for hotels outside of San Ignacio Town.
Additional Information

Embark on a journey that takes you into the sleeping and burial grounds of ancient Maya royalty.

Caracol, which means “snail” in Spanish, is the largest Maya site in Belize covering about 75 square miles. Occupied around 1200 BC, but its epicenter was not populated until around 650 BC, and was abandoned in approximately 950 AD, with the entire site abandoned by 1050 AD.

Caana (meaning sky palace), the main pyramid at Caracol, houses 4 palaces and 3 temples and remains the tallest

building in modern Belize, with a height of approximately 141 feet.  

After your tour of Caracol Temples, you will visit the Rio Frio Cave & Big Rock Falls on your way back through the Mountain Pine Ridge National Reserve.

  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Location
Cayo Welcome Center & Tourist Information Center
If you are within town limits, pick up time is at 7:30 am. Outside of town limits, pick up time is at 7:00 am.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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(3 Ratings)
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Audra_h
Nov 23, 2023
Awesome experience - Rio Frio Cave and the Caracol ruins. Our your guide, Hob was very passionate and knowledgeable! We enjoyed every moment
Review provided by Viator
Denise_b
Jan 25, 2023
Learning about the maya... - Learning about the maya people and enjoying the refreshing pools on our way back ….just an fyi it is a long ride down to the ruins but we enjoyed seeing and learning about them
Review provided by Viator
Barbara
Feb 19, 2018
Naz was a phenomenal tour guide and... - <p>Naz was a phenomenal tour guide and driver. He had first hand knowledge of he ruins, having worked in the excavation process. He gave us a fabulous tour of the ruins, explained the properties of many local plants and found us two monkeys in the tree. After lunch, we drive to the amazing Rio Frio cave. Then we went swimming in the Rio Frio pools. After that, he took us to the Big Rock Falls and we played in the water. It was an awesome day. W saw and learned so much from Naz and the unique part was that my husband and I were his group so we could do it at our pace. We climbed can every ruin possible. The drive to the ruins is very long and bumpy but Naz mad th time fly. The ride home seemed much shorte but we had an 11 hour day. Don't miss this site. It's got a lot of everything!</p>
Review provided by Viator
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up to 12 guests
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May 2024
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