National park · Belize
Altun Ha
Enter Altun Ha for about $10 (check) – drive yourself (≈1 h from Belize City) or join a $50 tour; go early in the dry season to avoid crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1965
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Belize ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Belize's Immigration Department or a Belizean embassy before booking.
- Belize ↗Snorkel and dive in the marine reserves only with licensed guides; do not touch coral or feed marine life.
- Belize ↗Leaving by land or sea costs BZ$40 (US$20) in cash at the border or dock; the air departure tax is in your ticket.
At a glance
- Country
- Belize
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Site covers roughly 0.5 km² of archaeological ruins (check official park map).
- Established
- 1965
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Altun Ha is a compact Maya ruin site north of Belize City, known for the jade head of Kinich Ahau and a steep pyramid climb; it is best visited in the dry season with a guide for the climb.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1965.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1965
Site covers roughly 0.5 km² of archaeological ruins (check official park map).
Why go
- Explore a classic Maya ruin with the famous jade head artifact.
- See the steep pyramid and learn about the site's 1960s excavations.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool
- FebDry, warm
- MarDry, warm
- AprEnd of dry season
- MayStart of rains
- JunRainy, slippery
- JulRainy, hot
- AugRainy, hot
- SepRainy, hot
- OctLess rain
- NovDry, cool
- DecDry, cool
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local birds (e.g., motmots, tanagers)Mar–Sep · Common around the ruins. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Belize City
Drive north on the Old Northern Highway (≈1 h, 50 km (31 mi)).Drive north on the Old Northern Highway (≈1 h, 31 mi (50 km)).
≈1 h
From Caye Caulker
Ferry to Belize City, then drive north.
≈2 h total
From Belize Airport (Philip S. W. Goldson)
Taxi or rental car north on the Northern Highway.
≈1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Altun Ha entrance | Parking, ticket booth, information board, basic restroom. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the ruin complex.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site entry | US$10–15 | person | Check current price at gate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Site entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Recommended for the pyramid climb and site interpretation.
- Access
- No wheelchair access; steep steps and uneven ground.
- Camping
- Not allowed within the site; stay in nearby towns.
Where to stay
Near the park
Belize City
Hotels and hostels 20 min drive north.
Near the park
Caye Caulker
Budget lodges; good base for day trips.
Safety
Steep climb medium
Heat low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking area reachable by car; short walk to gate.
- Pyramid climb not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect archaeological remains.
- Take all rubbish with you; no open fires.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Altun Ha?
Entry is about $10 USD per person (check current price at the gate).
What are the best hikes in Altun Ha?
The main activity is a short steep climb to the pyramid; the surrounding site walk is flat and takes 1–2 hours.
When is the best time to visit Altun Ha?
Visit in the dry season (November to April) for clear weather and easier walking.
Can I visit without a guide?
Yes, the site is self‑guided, but a guide is recommended for the pyramid climb.
Is camping allowed at Altun Ha?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby towns.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Altun Ha
- secondaryWikivoyage: Altun Ha, revision 4926488 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Altun Ha
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