About 50 kilometres north of Belize City, Altun Ha is one of Belize’s best-preserved Maya archaeological sites. The ruins include restored ceremonial plazas and impressive temples, but the site is perhaps best known for the discovery of the famous Altun Ha Jade Head, one of the most important Maya artifacts ever found in Belize.
Our guide explores the ruins, explains their history and shows you what to expect when you visit.
Table of Contents
How to visit Altun Ha Mayan Ruins
This is one of the most visited Maya sites in Belize, about 50 kilometres northwest of Belize City along the bumpy Old Northern Highway. Most people arrive as part of an organized tour. Renting a car in Belize City is the another option. The ruins are south of the parking area.
Walk south toward the small group of buildings.
Begin your visit at the museum for an introduction to ancient Maya culture, the history of Altun Ha and its discovery in the 1960s. Another building houses a marketplace of vendors selling Maya fabrics, terracotta pottery and wooden masks along with other souvenirs.
Continue walking south to enter the ruins.
Altun Ha Ruins Map
The ruins cover an 8-square-kilometer area but only two main ceremonial plazas have been fully exposed and rebuilt. Construction of Plaza A started around 250 CE and was used mainly for ceremonial and religious purposes. The adjacent Plaza B was predominantly used for housing. Many more structures remain covered in the jungle nearby but are not open to the public.
This map shows the area of the Altun Ha ruins which are open to the public to visit.
Temple of the Green Tomb
At the west end of Plaza A is its largest structure, the Temple of the Green Tomb. The temple has three terraces with the upper terrace housing the temple enclosure.
This temple was the final resting place of a Maya priest-king. A single tomb was found in the temple and this tomb was called the Green Tomb, due to the discovery of over 300 jade objects within the burial site. Offerings of jade pendants, beads, jaguar hides and a rare bark-book known as a codex were discovered in the temple.
Temple of Masonry Altars
Plaza B contains the huge, 16-meter-high Temple of Masonry Altars, also called the Temple of the Sun God.
The original structure was created around 500 CE and was expanded several times, with each structure covered by a successively larger one. Seven layers have been found.
Before each progressive layer was built a ceremony was held. Sacrifices, including bloodlettings, were made on an altar. Objects made of jade and copal resin were smashed into pieces, burned and then scattered over the floor around the altar. Everything was left in place, undisturbed and the next building was built over it. All of this was discovered when archaeologists unearthed the temple.
The oldest tomb was discovered in the centre of the temple. The Altun Ha Jade Head was found inside.
Altun Ha Jade Head
The discovery in 1968 of the largest known jade artifact in the Maya world brought the Altun Ha ruins to the world’s notice. The Altun Ha jade head is 14.9 centimetres high and weighs 4.42 kilograms. It is believed that the Maya laid this object on the body of a deceased member of the royal family within the tomb during their burial ceremony.
Jade was highly revered in ancient Maya culture and had both strong religious and spiritual significance. The stone was often carved into jewelry and ornamental figures, which usually depicted either the sun god or wind god.
Originally experts thought that the carved head represented the Sun God, Kinich Ahau. That interpretation has changed, with researchers now thinking that the object is the Jester God in the form of a bird.
The jade head is a priceless artifact and is safely locked away in the Belize Central Bank vault. It is only on public view for special exhibitions. The jade head has become a respected national symbol and appears on all Belize banknotes.
A replica is on display at the Altun Ha ruins in the on-site museum, along with other artifacts.
Ancient History of Altun Ha
The Maya people began to populate the Altun Ha area around 250 BCE. The city began as an agriculture-based community. It evolved into a small residential village and then to a more populated city, including the larger structures which have been reconstructed. This society was prosperous. With its close proximity to the sea and inland trading routes, Altun Ha flourished. Experts estimate the population was as high as 10,000 people.
In general, relations between cities were peaceful and healthy trading occurred. However, there were also periods of strife and war between Altun Ha and neighbouring communities.
Ultimately, it was left deserted around the 11th century. Researchers surmise that there was political upheaval and a violent uprising in the area. The people migrated northward and the site was eventually abandoned.
Even though many large Maya cities were abandoned, the Maya people did not disappear. Today there are large groups of ethnic Maya in southern and western Belize.
Discovery of Altun Ha
For years, the local residents of Rockstone Pond used the stones from these ancient structures as construction materials for their own homes.
The site came to the attention of archaeologists in 1963. During the first excavation, the Altun Ha jade head was discovered by two locals working with Dr. David Pendergast, of the Royal Ontario Museum of Canada.
The immense task of uncovering and restoring of the ruins continued through the 1970s however only the two main ceremonial plazas (Plaza A and B) were fully uncovered and rebuilt. Many more structures remain covered in the jungle nearby.
Tourism began in the 1970s and preservation of the ruins is ongoing. Although not the largest ruins in Belize, the 8-square-kilometer site is considered one of the best restored ruins in the nation.
Altun Ha Tours
Most people visit Altun Ha as part of an organized cruise ship excursion. Independent tours are also available.
Know Before You Go
Do I need a guide at Altun Ha?
No. You are permitted to walk the grounds on your own. However, we recommend hiring one of the local guides available on-site. These locals, many of them of Maya descent, are happy to share their knowledge of the ruins, and the Maya way of life.
Can I climb on the Altun Ha Ruins?
Yes. Climbing is permitted on some structures but watch for signs. They point out permitted access routes to climb and roped off areas indicate where you are not allowed.
What does Altun Ha mean?
The translation of this Maya name is “stone water” or “water of rock”. The ruins are named after the nearby village, Rockstone Pond.
When was Altun Ha built?
The major ceremonial temples were built around 500 CE although the city had already been settled at least 750 years before that.
Is there shopping at the site?
Yes. There is a market area where merchants sell Maya goods and souvenirs.
Belize Country Information
Language: The official language is English.
Currency: The official currency is the Belize dollar (BZD) but US dollars are accepted everywhere.
Health: Wear mosquito repellent. Drink bottled water.
Flights to Belize City: From Miami – 2 hours, from Los Angeles – 4 hours.
Interested in more Itineraries? Sign up here.
