Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun Maya Ruins
Visit the Maya ruins at Nim Li Punit (Big Hat) and Lubaantun (Place of the Fallen Stones). Both of these impressive ruins have different characteristics than any other in Belize.
Nim Li Punit (Big Hat) is named after the large headdress carved into the stela in the photo. Lim Ni Punit is famous for its many stelae and has the tallest stela found to date in Belize (well it was the tallest but now it is the longest as it is lying down in the very interesting visitor’s center). The stela date from the eighth century. The visitor’s center holds precious artefacts and displays about the customs, diet, life, and language of the Mayan people.
Lubaantun (Place of the Fallen Stones) is the largest Mayan ceremonial site in the southern part of Belize. This ruin is unique in that it was built without mortar (hence fallen stones), has no stelae and different architecture than other Maya cities, and is where the controversial crystal skull was found. The builders showed great skill in splitting and fitting stonework to erect these significant structures without mortar. Archaeologists say that the artefacts found (obsidian blades, grinding stones, beads, shells, turquoise and potter shards indicate that Lubaantun was a farming and trading center. The origin of the crystal skull remains a mystery; apparently, there is a second one in a museum in France.
Leave at 6 am and return around 5 pm.
Wear sturdy shoes, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat. Bring a camera, binoculars, insect repellent, sunscreen, and plenty of water.