lubaantun

This is a great Maya site to visit in the south of Belize. The name means “Place of the Fallen Stones”. Lubaantun was occupied in the Late Classic 730 - 860 CE. There are 5 plazas and 3 ball courts set on a high ridge, which functions as a massive platform. The battered facing architecture is unique and built of cut and fitted limestone blocks laid without mortar. The site is very well maintained.

We enjoyed the fact that it was very quiet and not crowded. It is however a smaller complex with only minimal excavation. There is so much still hidden under dirt and jungle here. I enjoyed the little museum and the man that makes reproductions of the ancient mayan whistles. It was also neat to be able to see so many pieces of pottery just laying around and all the tiny shells left from Mayan's snacks so long ago. I wouldn't drive for hours to see this place, but you should definitely go if you are anywhere in the area.

We decided to take a trip here from Placencia as these ancient Mayan ruins were within good driving distance. We arrived at Lubaantun and paid a small fee to enter. We ventured around the ruins without a guide just taking in the beautiful ruins and sights.We enjoyed visiting the peaceful site of The Fallen Stones and thought it was a lovely hour spent exploring an ancient civilization.It's not a big ruin...but this is the best in Toledo for sure so a must visit if you're staying in the south of Belize (Hopkin, Placencia, Maya Beach etc).If you're looking for something more impressive take a day trip to Tikal in Guatemala or Xunantunich in Belmopan

Loved the fact that the young kiddos could climb the ruins. Educational display of the areas history. At the end of your visit you can purchase a mayan souvenir. great!

We were staying in Hopkins, which is a haul from the best sites in Belize, but we wanted to see Mayan ruins and had a car, so set out on our own!We first went to Lim Ni Punit (which doesn't have a place to review on Trip Advisor) but is also worth a stop! Then headed to the bigger of the 2 in the Toledo area, LUBAANTUN. Cost is $5US p/p and worth every penny!Visiting on a Monday with a tropical depression moving in, we nearly had the place(s) to ourselves. It took about an hour and a half to drive from Hopkins (with nearly 30 min of the drive getting out of the dirt roads of Hopkins to the main 2 lane paved highway). Otherwise, it is an easy drive... but WATCH OUT for BUMPS!We were greeted by Santiago, who is the main caretaker and archeologist. We had the BEST and most informative time with him. He pulled out artifacts that had been excavated from Lubaantum and told us about the Crystal Skull (which was made famous in the Temple of Doom --Indianna Jones movie). Supposedly a huge crystal was found in the early 1900's by a famous British archeologist and he replanted it at Lubaantun for his daughter to refind for her 12th birthday. While crystal skulls have been found elsewhere, this one was impressive. However, mystery continues to surround this Crystal because of it's size and the fact that the family won't allow it to be examined and carbon dated. Hmmmm..... Santiago actually met the girl 2 times before she died a few years ago and supposedly the Crystal skull is in the hands of her half her age lover now. Anyway.... Santiago also showed us the replica flutes that he and his daughter have been making out of copies of molds excavated from Lubaantun. We bought a couple because they are so unique to all the touristy crap one can buy. Wear bug spray because it is in the jungle. Wear really well soled shoes (not sandals) and stay off the ruins! We had a great time wandering the site.... it is quite huge still even though the jungle is working hard to reclaim the land. There are trinket sellers waiting your comings and goings. They are not a bargain. In fact, what we learned is that each day is a new seller because they have a system. Prices are fixed and must deal in US $$. Have lots of $1's and $5's if really interested in shopping off the street cuz they don't give change back in US $$, but Belize dollars.