LAMANAI
Lamanai is one of Belize’s largest ceremonial centers, and is also one of the most important. The name “lamanai” comes from the word “submerged crocodile” in Mayan language, and sculptural and hieroglyphic representations of the crocodile can be found throughout the site. Situated along the New River Lagoon, Lamanai features impressive architecture of temples and palaces dating from the Classic and PreClassic Periods, encompasses all of Belize’s phases from Mayan Civilization.

XUNANTUNICH
Xunantunich was a major ceremonial center during the Classic Period. The site is composed of six major plazas and surrounded by more than twenty-five temples and palaces. The most impressive structure located at the south end of Xunantunich is the pyramid “El Castillo” (The Castle) which rises 130 feet above the plaza. “El Castillo” was the tallest man-made structure in all of Belize until the discovery of “Canaa” at Caracol. The most notable feature on “El Castillo” is the reconstructed frieze on the east side of the lower temple.

CARACOL
Found in the 1930’s and rediscovered in the 1950’s, Caracol was known to be an important ceremonial center of the Mayan Civilization. Due to its difficult accessibility, Caracol remained blanketed in rainforest and shrouded mystery until 1985, when a long term excavation of the site began. Recently Caracol has received recognition as one of the most important cities in the Maya Empire, and the largest in Belize. The size of Caracol, the large architectural construction and the beauty of these monuments testify to the importance of Caracol during the Classic Period.

TIKAL, GUATEMALA
One of the greatest ceremonial centers of the Maya, Tikal had its origins around 900-300 B.C. The great metropolis of Tikal did not come into full glory until the Late Classic period 600-850 A.D. before being abandoned for unknown reasons around 900 AD. One theory about the collapse of Tikal is that the surrounding habitat was destroyed by the over-harvesting of lumber required for fuel to burn the lime to make the enormous quantities of stucco used to create the city. For visitors it is unforgettable walking under the shade of primary rainforest, to look up and see the towering pyramid structures of Tikal.