Belize has the highest concentration of Mayan Ruins in the World with over 600 sites identified. Ancient Mayans flourished from around 300 BC to 900 AD. The Maya civilization was renowned for its magnificent art, imposing architecture, and highly developed mathematical and astronomical systems. At its zenith, it was one of the most culturally vibrant societies in the world.

Archaeologists estimate that 2,000,000 Mayans once lived in what is now Belize. They built cities, palaces and pyramids with their own hands in the unwelcoming jungle. The diverse species of tropical forests supplied the essentials. The rivers provided transportation and the limestone formations provided building blocks. The Mayan civilizations were rediscovered by explorers in the 18th Century with more discoveries still to come by archaeologists today.
Several sites are close to the Waterside properties.

Some of the most popular sites available for viewing are: 

Altun Ha
The most visited and most excavated Mayan site in Belize, it is located in the Belize District near Rockstone Pond Village. The entrance to Altun Ha is about one mile off Mile 32 of the Old Northern Highway. Altun Ha was an important ceremonial center during the Classic Period and an essential trade center that linked the Caribbean and other Mayan centers. The site has two main plazas and over a dozen residential and temple buildings.

Xunantunich
Pronounced Zoo-nan-two-nich and meaning "lord of war and fertility," is a site about 325 square yards, and is located near the western border, across from San Jose Succotz, about eight miles west of San Ignacio in the Cayo District. The most prominent pyramid, El Castillo, meaning the Castle, is 130 feet above the main plaza and has panoramic views of the Cayo District and Guatemala. Xunantunich is made up of six major plazas and more than 25 temples and palaces.

Lamanai
This Mayan center, Lamanai (meaning 'submerged crocodile') thrived for nearly three millennia. The Lodge that overlooks the New River Lagoon combines education, relaxation and exploration in a habitat rich in history and ecology. This research center, a Belize non-profit organization has been active since 1992. It offers over 700 Mayan structures making it a wonderful research and educational site for many scientific disciplines.

Caracol
The Caracol Archaeological Reserve, includes the Mayan ruin of Caracol, and is the largest Mayan site in the country. Caracol encompasses 30 square miles of high canopy tropical rain forest, which is populated by various species of birds, cats and howler monkeys. Caracol, meaning "the supremacy of lord water," was re-found in 1938. The largest pyramid in Caracol, "Canaa" meaning Sky Place, is 143 feet high, making it the tallest man-made structure in Belize. Also included are several pyramids, three plazas, an astronomical observatory and many smaller buildings.

Cahal Pech
This Mayan ceremonial site sits on a hill overlooking the town of San Ignacio. On two acres there are 34 structures with temples and two separate ball courts. The site was populated until 800 AD and means "Place of the Ticks" because it was used as a cow pasture in the 1950s.

El Pilar
A Mayan ruin site with several buildings 50 to 70 feet high, with a central plaza having temples, palaces, housing, water reservoirs and ball courts. Many buildings are in the beginning of excavation. The site has five trails which display its architecture, three archaeological trails and two natural trails.

The Belize Museum also holds Mayan artifacts that have been gathered throughout the country.