National park · Belize
CaracolCaracol Archaeological Reserve
Visit Caracol for a half‑day Maya tour: drive 81 km (50 mi) from San Ignacio (≈2 h, 4WD) and pay the entry fee (check), or join a guided day trip from Belize City (≈3 h total).Visit Caracol for a half‑day Maya tour: drive 50 mi (81 km) from San Ignacio (≈2 h, 4WD) and pay the entry fee (check), or join a guided day trip from Belize City (≈3 h total).
- 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
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Jan–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
- 200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
- Approx. 200 km² (check)
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Jan–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- San Ignacio
Caracol was a major Maya city in the Cayo region of Belize, once larger than modern Belize City. The site spans about 200 km², with massive plazas, the towering Caana (Sky Palace), a huge ballcourt, and numerous residential platforms revealed by recent LIDAR surveys.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²) · national park since 2020
Approx. 200 km² (check)
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: San Ignacio.
Why go
- Explore one of the largest Maya cities, with massive plazas and towering structures.
- See the iconic Caana (Sky Palace) and the massive ballcourt.
- Witness LIDAR‑revealed hidden residential zones.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool mornings
- FebDry, low humidity
- MarEnd of dry season
- AprDry, warm
- MayStart of rains
- JunRainy, road can be muddy
- JulRainy, possible road closures
- AugRainy, high humidity
- SepRainy, occasional storms
- OctRain tapering, still warm
- NovDry season returns
- DecDry, pleasant
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common tropical birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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 San Ignacio
Drive 81 km (50 mi) on a 4WD; road partly paved, partly dirt. Travel in convoy if possible.Drive 50 mi (81 km) on a 4WD; road partly paved, partly dirt. Travel in convoy if possible.
≈2 h
Open the page →
From Belize City
Join a day‑tour (bus + 4WD) arranged by local operators; includes transport and guide.
≈3 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main archaeological zone | Plazas, Caana, ballcourt, residential platforms. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Peripheral LIDAR‑surveyed area | Hidden structures and residential clusters. | Guided access only. |
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 official site; gate location approximate.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | BZD 30–45 | person | Official fee at the gate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any off‑site LIDAR trek.
- Camping
- Not allowed within the archaeological zone.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated grills only.
Where to stay
Near the park
San Ignacio
Hotels, guesthouses and hostels 30 min drive from the gate.
Safety
Road conditions 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
- Main zone reachable by short walks from the gate; paths are uneven and steep in places.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned lodging in San Ignacio.
- Leave no waste; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Caracol?
The entry fee is BZ$30–45 per person at the gate (check for the latest price).
What are the best hikes in Caracol?
The main hike is the climb to the Caana (Sky Palace). A guided LIDAR trek to peripheral structures adds 2–3 h of walking.
When is the best time to visit Caracol?
Dry season (Nov–Apr) offers the best road conditions and cooler weather; the rainy season (May–Oct) can make roads muddy.
Can I drive to Caracol on my own?
Yes, with a 4WD vehicle; the road is partly paved and partly dirt, and a convoy is recommended for safety.
Is camping allowed at Caracol?
Camping inside the archaeological zone is prohibited; stay in San Ignacio or nearby lodges.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Caracol
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