Altun Ha, Archaeological site in Rockstone Pond, Belize
The complex extends across 8 square kilometers and consists of two central plazas surrounded by thirteen structures. The Temple of Masonry Altars reaches 54 feet (16 meters) in height and dominates the northern plaza.
The settlement originated around 200 BC and reached its peak between 500 and 650 AD with about 10,000 residents. Inhabitants gradually abandoned the site after 900 AD during the collapse of Classic Maya civilization.
The Maya used this location as a trade hub for exchanging obsidian, jade and cacao with other Mesoamerican regions while developing complex religious ceremonies performed within the temples.
The location sits 31 miles (50 kilometers) north of Belize City and operates daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Guided tours are available and paved pathways provide wheelchair access to most areas of the grounds.
Excavations by the Royal Ontario Museum starting in 1964 uncovered several tombs containing jade artifacts, including a carved jade head standing 6 inches (15 centimeters) tall and weighing 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) depicting a ruler.
Location: Rockstone Pond
Inception: 1995
Elevation above the sea: 11 m
GPS coordinates: 17.75000,-88.33333
Latest update: November 27, 2025 20:36
Belize protects over 300 miles of the second largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and a substantial number of pre-Columbian Maya sites, many located deep within rainforests. The country combines marine protected areas, archaeological remains, and extensive nature reserves within a relatively compact territory. Visitors can explore the Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef, a circular sinkhole roughly 1,000 feet (305 meters) across and 410 feet (125 meters) deep, one day and walk through the ruins of Caracol the next, the country's largest Maya site with pyramids rising over 140 feet (43 meters). The islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker provide direct access to the reef and stretches of sandy shoreline. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary preserves approximately 150 square miles (390 square kilometers) of rainforest as a protected area for jaguars and other mammals. Underwater protected areas like Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve safeguard coral gardens, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests that support marine life. Archaeological sites such as Xunantunich, Lamanai, and Altun Ha showcase different building styles and periods of Maya civilization. Actun Tunichil Muknal cave combines geological formations with archaeological artifacts and is accessed by wading through underground rivers. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve offers pine forests, waterfalls, and limestone formations in the western highlands.
Belize Barrier Reef
61.9 km
Actun Tunichil Muknal
64.7 km
Lamanai
34 km
Maya Biosphere Reserve
85.3 km
British Army Training Support Unit Belize
23.2 km
Turneffe islands
59.7 km
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
37.4 km
Belize Zoo
50.1 km
Swing Bridge
32.3 km
St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park
75.9 km
Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
22.4 km
Baron Bliss Light
33 km
Jardín Zoológico Payo Obispo
85.9 km
Guanacaste National Park
72.3 km
Museum of Belize
32.2 km
National Assembly Building of Belize
72.5 km
FFB Stadium
73.4 km
Bliss Institute
32.6 km
Shipstern
65 km
English Caye Light
55.9 km
Mauger Caye Light
61.6 km
Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve
69.1 km
Robinson Point Light
47.5 km
Rio Bravo Conservation & Management Area
61.3 km
Government House
33 km
Jaguar Paw Belize Cave and Jungle Expedition
61.6 km
Mexico Rocks
52.8 km
Bacalar Chico National Park & Marine Reserve
43.6 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes