Fascinated with MesoAmerican societies? You'll want to visit Belize, a small nation that’s home to around 900 examples of architectural wonders that showcase examples of how Mayas built their first Western Hemisphere communities. “The indigenous Maya population has resided in Central America for thousands of years,” according to the history published on the Black Past website, so it may come as no surprise that these ancient people “lived among ruins, too.”
Every time a centralized Maya government collapsed, temples and plazas were ritually burned and left to decay. “People in the past had their own past,” opined University of Montreal archaeologist Christina Halperin. “By looking at how people interacted with the ruins around them, archaeologists can get a glimpse of how those communities conceived of their own history,” so what better way to get to the heart of Belize’s earliest residents than by visiting these priceless ruins?
You’ll need a base to accomplish your mission
Choosing Hopkins Belize as your destination—and pairing that charming location with a booking at Belizean Dreams Resort—you'll be treated to the ideal environment in which to make your discoveries. Say yes to either of the property’s all inclusive packages, so your digs, meals, and other perks are covered while you focus on your Mayan ruin visit objectives.
To simplify your getaway, say yes to any (or all!) of the Belizean Dreams’ Maya Ruins tours offered by the resort, and if you would like to add additional adventures to other ruins to your itinerary, ask your host for help and special arrangements to accommodate you can be made.
In addition to digging into the area's past, do spend time roaming Hopkins Village where many of the ancestors of these ancient Maya societies still reside today. By the way, if an important part of your mission to visit Maya ruins from Hopkins is saving money, investigate travel deals posted on the Belizean Dreams website to make your visit more affordable and relaxing.
Your visitor's guide: Beyond the sunscreen and bug spray
Making sure you know “the rules of the road” when you visit ruins, by taking the advice of journalist Gisselle Hernandez whose essential tips appear on the Caribbean Culture + Lifestyle website. She recommends taking lots of photos, and posting about your exciting experiences, but never keep a “souvenir” should you come upon a pottery shard or other architectural remnant. Be sure you’re physically fit if you intend to ascend tall heights, obey safety precautions (especially those given by your guide) and don't leave anything behind.
Happily, there's no need to load a translation app onto your device because British occupation of Belize lasted for so many years, English became the nation’s primary language over time. For this reason, visitors say that the guides accompanying Belizean Dreams tours to Mayan ruins are invaluable, so ask all the questions you like when you visit as many of these amazing places as time allows!
Book online or contact the Reservation Desk to book.
