Cahal Pech means “Place of the ticks”, and it’s one of Belize’s oldest set of ruins, dating back to 1200 B.C. At the height of its occupation, around 15,000 people lived there, with majority of them farmers living on the outskirts. There are seven small plazas to explore, and over 30 Mayan structures, including temples, ball courts, a sweat house, and even a royal burial chamber. Visit this impressive, off the beaten track Mayan archaeological site!

Trudging along the hiking trails in the reserve, one cannot help but appreciate the lack of the bustling city murmurs and paved concrete streets that seem to be found at other tourist destinations. The wildlife adds to the paradisiacal ambience of the Pine Ridge reserve, with different species of birds tucked away in the rainforest canopy. Some of these include the Acord Woodpeckers, Rufous-capped Warbler, Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Stygian Owl and Eastern Bluebird. 

Xunantunich which literally means “stone woman” in the ancient Mayan language, is so named because the ruins are allegedly haunted by a woman dressed entirely in white with bright red eyes. Xunantunich reached its peak in 800 A.D. and was a principal ceremonial site, with apprioximately 200,000 people living there. The city consists of six plazas and more than 26 Mayan palaces and temples, all of which you can explore and climb.