Due to the lack of options to get to know nature in Belize better because of the large amounts of water at the moment, we drive to the next Mayan ruin. We visit Cahal Pech in San Ignacio. Thanks to the very good main roads in Belize, the journey is pleasant and we make very fast progress. So, we park the camper Ben at a campsite in the town and set off on foot to Cahal Pech.

Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech

After the steep climb up the hill on which the ruins of Cahal Pech were built, we first buy the obligatory entrance tickets and go straight from the ticket office to the museum. Cahal Pech was the residence of a royal family for a long period of time but was never a particular center of administration or political influence beyond the city itself. Accordingly, the size of the site is rather average compared to other Mayan ruins.

There are various squares and buildings, all of which can be visited and admired by tourists. We still think that’s a great thing. Being able to walk around the pyramids and buildings makes the experience more memorable. And finally, after many very well restored Mayan ruins, here in Cahal Pech we find some structures that have only been restored about half and so some huge trees grow directly on the stone structures of the ruins. The mixture of past civilization with the return of nature, of which the trees are impressive witnesses, is still extremely appealing to us. We are constantly reminded of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

There is not much to say about the individual buildings, as the complex seems a little more anonymous with its numbered buildings and squares. The two largest pyramids are marked A1 and B1 and are also the most striking buildings in Cahal Pech. We stroll leisurely through the various squares and look at the pyramids from different angles, climb up to them and catch yet more different perspectives. We spend a good hour in the ruins before walking back to the city.

Belize – unfortunately only a short stopover

Our plan for Belize was actually to spend several weeks here. To do a few dives and explore many national parks and the associated jungle. Unfortunately, with the weather as it is, we don’t even get to our destinations because of the flooded or muddy roads or the closed national parks, we don’t have the motivation to go through with it. What a pity! Because the people in Belize are extremely friendly and we feel really well looked after. What’s more, the official language in Belize is English, so we find it much easier to communicate than in Spanish, which certainly adds to the feeling of security.
For all those wondering: have the two travelers become water-shy? Certainly not, but all in all it has already rained a lot for a week and the rain will continue for the next two weeks. It would easily take three weeks or more to wait until the national parks are accessible and open again. So, all we have left is the memory of the great people, a simple but very friendly country between Mexico and Guatemala which would have much more to offer than we were able to see during our visit.
Never mind, changing of plans is part of traveling and we enjoyed our short time in Belize.
And now: Off to Guatemala!