Day 4: Caracol

 Today was another exciting day!!  Everyone met for breakfast again at our favorite breakfast spot,  Flayva's, at 6:15 to make sure we were ready to leave at 7:30.

At 7:30, Mario, Renan's brother - our guide from yesterday, picked us up to head to Caracol.  The road there was insane!  We spent an easy hour on a very bumpy, rutted, dirt road.  Now, this is a one lane road but on occasion it would suddenly become a three lane road and no room for error.  Scary!  Once we got to the national park, Mario had to check in the military post and get an escort in to Caracol since this portion of Belize borders Guatemala and thieves from Guatemala like to try and enter the country.



The first place we stop is at the Rio Frio cave.  This place would be an awesome camp site!  We were able to get out and explore and take pictures around this cave, unlike yesterday.

Barrios Plaza

 About 9:30 we arrive at Caracol, an excavated Mayan site.  Caracol site gave insight on how the Mayan people lived and spent their days.  The site was divided into plazas.  The first plaza, Barrios,

represented where the high, important people of the Mayan village lived.  There were residences, as well as an open plaza for cooking and setting up market.

The second plaza we visited represented both administrative offices, residences and a temple. 

Administrative and Residence

The sun sets in the west... you can still see some of the original paint used

The third plaza was strictly ceremonial.  People came only to observe and see the rituals celebrating the  movement of the sun, stars, and Venus. 


The last plaza was called the Raleigh Group.  This plaza was made of stone indicating that the people who lived there had some form of wealth.  The structures were small but this indicated that there was some level of middle class with the Mayan society.

Many artifacts have been uncovered at this Mayan site; however, most have been put in the care of museums to preserve and protect as the government of Belize does not have the resources to keep them secure.

The last stop of the day was at River Rock.  Here we took time to enjoy the waterfall.  According to a couple of local men, legend says the Mayan treasure is hidden behind the waterfall.  However, due to the strength of the waterfall, no one has been able to find it.

Visiting two different Mayan sites in two days was very culturally enlightening.  Each one told its own story of part of the Mayan society and gave insight in part to the modern day culture of Belize.

The day has ended and we are all very tired, especially physically.  But tomorrow, the University of Belize!