Caracol Natural Monument Reservation — Attraction in Cayo District

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...

Large site, different from Tikal and worth visiting if you are in San Ignacio. With a car it took us a little less than 2 hours. The road from georgeville down to the forest reserve is large and modern. Going to be 55 mph most of that part. A few miles past the forest preserve entrance it switches to dirt for the last 25 miles. 17 miles of that is pretty smooth and easy as they are laying down the foundation for a large modern road. Around 35 mph was fine unless you were around construction or it’s rainy. For the last 8 miles, just past the Macal River crossing it goes down to the old original road that is more bumpy and lower visibility and usually less than 20 mph. Never felt unsafe in my 4wd Nissan rouge.

You don’t need a guide though they are nice to have if you don’t know the site. Small museum on site but no tour brochures. 15 Belize dollars entrance fee. Restrooms too. Military is there guarding the site. They are friendly and stay mostly out of site.

3 main sites. The big central plaza where you can climb the steps all the way to the top. This is the main draw. It’s huge. Still has a few carvings and some open tombs. The whole site is very open and much less visited than Tikal. Then the main acropolis with a plaza and the southern acropolis with a reservoir. Bring a lunch, there is nothing there or nearby.

See the rio pools on the road back. Nice little overlook of the river going through a large rocky area. You can swim there but it’s a...

First timers to Belize. We drove ourselves in early March, 2022 in a high clearance, rear-wheel drive vehicle. It took 2.5 hours from the western side of San Ignacio. It had been raining lightly for the previous 3-4 days, but we didn't have the slightest problem driving to the end. We arrived at 9:50am and had the entire park to ourselves for an hour (aside from several military guys who actually gave us tips on where to explore and where to find the hidden tombs). We paid $15BZE per person. The park has clean, covered picnic tables at the entrance, and newly built modern bathrooms. However, bring all your own drinking water and snacks. We had gone to Xunantunich previously with a guide, so we had a good idea of the history and use of the buildings. We spent about 2 hours in total exploring all the nooks and crannies and tombs. The temples are incredible and the biggest one is still the tallest building in Belize. Make the climb to the tippy top and you won't be disappointed with the view.

The road to get there is a typical mountain road. The last 10 miles is semi-paved with few serious potholes. We were able to drive 60-70kph for the majority of the last bit. You'll have about an hour drive on dirt roads. We spotted a crocodile when passing over one of the many streams. We didn't have any checkpoints, military or otherwise. Going with a guide will be...