The name "Caracol" means snail in Spanish, which is appropriate because it took me 32 years to return to Belize and finally visit the Mayan ruins I'd heard about in 1990. Back then, the ruins were inaccessible and just beginning to be excavated by archaeologists Dr. Diane and Arlen Chase, but already they could tell that this ancient city was impressive.

The rough dirt road from San Ignacio to the archaeological zone is 52 miles and takes about 21/2 hours each way. I wisely decided to join a small group for $100discounted from $125 because the van driver from the Guatemalan border told me to mention his name when I made the reservation through Mayan World Tours. Actually, the cost of renting a car, filling it with gas, and paying the entry fee would have been nearly the same price.

Early the next morning my guide, Selwyn Bol, a native Maya who grew up not far from Caracol, picked me up promptly at the Yellow Belly Backpackers Hostel where I was staying. We went to downtown San Ignacio to find the honeymoon couple, their driver and personal guide who would join us.

Caracol was once home to 150,000 people, the largest Maya Centre in Belize. Ancient Caracol was larger in population and area than presentday Belize City. Covering an area of nearly 25,000 acres, this site is impressive not only for its size, but also for its immense agricultural field system and elaborate city planning. Caracol is one of the most pristine and wellkept Maya sites in Belize.

One thing that many Belizeans proudly told me is that Caracol defeated Tikal, Guatemala two times in war. They documented their victories in hieroglyphic text.

The tour included a picnic lunch of rice and beans, plantains, salad, veggies and chicken. We also made two other stops, at Rio Frio Caves and a swim at Rio on Pool.

Music: Mayan Ritual by Jimena Contreras

#MayaRuins #Caracol #BelizeTourism #YellowBellyBackpackers #SelwynBol #AncientMaya #Archaeology