La Milpa, Archaeological site in Orange Walk District, Belize.
La Milpa is an ancient Maya city that covers about one square kilometer and contains four temple pyramids, two ball courts, and numerous courtyards arranged across the site. The layout reflects how this settlement was organized with different zones for religious ceremonies, games, and daily life.
The site was founded around 400 BCE and grew into a major political and religious center for the Maya civilization. Around 850 CE, the city was abandoned, following the pattern of decline that affected other large Maya centers during that period.
The Main Plaza could hold 17,000 people during ceremonies, while twelve stone stelae throughout the complex record the lineage of local rulers.
The site is open year-round with no entrance fee, making it freely accessible to visitors. Since the location is remote and surrounded by forest, come prepared for uneven ground and dense vegetation when exploring the structures.
The site sits within a large nature reserve that protects rainforest and wildlife, surrounding the ruins with natural forest rather than cleared land. This setting makes it one of the few archaeological sites in the region where visitors walk through active jungle to reach ancient structures.
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