Altun Ha
Altun Ha
"Altun Ha" is a modern name in the Mayan language, Translated it means “Rockstone Water”. This name was influenced, from a nearby village “Rock stone pond”. The largest of Altun Ha's temple-pyramids, the "Temple of the Masonry Altars", is 54 feet (16m) high. A graphic depiction of this structure is on the logo of one of Belize's local beer, "Belikin". The site covers an area of about 1.5 square miles (8 square kilometers). The central square mile of the site, has remains of some 510 structures.
Archeological investigations show that Altun Ha was occupied by 200 BC. The bulk of constructions, were from the Maya Classic era 200 to 900 AD, when the site may have had a population of about 10,000 people. About 900 AD, there was some looting of elite tombs on the site, which gives the suggestion of “pleasant revolt” against the site’s rulers. The site remained populated for about another century, with no new major ceremonial or elite architecture built during that time. The population dwindled with a moderate surge of reoccupation in the 12th century, before declining again to a small agricultural village.
The ruins of the ancient structures had their stones reused for residential construction of the agricultural village of Rockstone Pond in modern times. The ancient site did not come to the attention of archeologists, until 1963, when the existence of a sizable ancient site was recognized from the air by pilot and amateur Mayanist, Hal Ball. Starting in 1965 an archeological team lead by Dr. David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum, began extensive excavations and restorations of the site, which continued through 1970. One of the most spectacular discoveries is a large almost 10 pounds (5 kilograms) piece of jade elaborately carved into an image of the head of the Maya Sun God, Kinich Ahau. This jade head is considered one of the national treasures of Belize.
Altun Ha could be reached by road via the Phillip Goldson highway formally the Northern Highway, and the site is accessible for tourism.
Belize Cruise port
Belize Cruise port
- Sunblock
- Insect Repellant (we will be in the jungle)
- Camera to capture this once in a lifetime experience
What is included?
- Air conditioned, fully licensed and insured transportation
- Round trip transportation from your cruise ship terminal
- Certified English speaking excursion guides
- National park fees and entrance fees
- Bottled water
Belizecruisequest Cancellation policy
- Belizecruisequest will allow fully refundable cancellations, by the Guest, prior to 11 days.This means that the Guest should check the itineraries prior to entering the cancellation penalty period, which is 11 days prior to the tour date.
- If you have paid for your tour in full, the penalty for cancellation within 10 days of booking, is 50%.
- In some cases, Belizecruisequest may cancel a tour due to weather or other circumstances. In the event that the Belizecruisequest cancels the tour, you may choose between a rescheduling of the tour, a full refund of all monies paid OR a credit towards an alternative tour. If you choose to accept a credit, the difference in the cost of the alternative tour will be refunded or paid by you as applicable.
- If conditions make it impossible for the Cruiseship to anchor and disembark passengers in a timely manner, or if the vendor must cancel due to equipment or weather problems, Belizecruisequest will not allow any refund of payments.
- Delays or cancellation of airline flights or other modes of transportation used to arrive to the port or location of the Belizecruisequest activity, will not be taken into consideration in the determination of a refund for unused services.
- The Guest/ Group must notify Belizacruisequest within 12 days after the Belizecruisequest’s date of any problem that may have occurred. The notification must be in writing. Emails of the aforesaid situation must be sent to belizecruisequest@gmail.com . Belizacruisequest reserves the right to properly vet any information received, and a decision on any, partial or no refund, will be based on the information gathered.
- Group bookings are non-refundable if the tour price is based on a specific number of participants 10 Guests or less.
- Any bookings made three days in advance, will be non-refundable.
- Any Guest with special needs, Belizecruisequest will not be responsible if that Guest(s) are not satisfied with a tour, if Belizecruisequest was not properly informed of such special needs prior to the tour.
- Belizecruisequest trust that our tour operator performs adequately and delivers to the Guests the highest level of professionalism.
- Customers who dispute a Belizecruisequest credit card charge by filing chargeback notice with their credit card companies, will be charged a $50.00 USD administrative fee (per chargeback notice) by Belizecruisequest if the chargeback is ruled in our favor by the financial institution.
- Belizecruisequest is not considered ‘booked’ until the purchaser agrees to these stipulations, confirms the request, and until the payment procedures have been satisfactorily carried out.