Best Times to Visit Ancient Sites & Festivals
Step into the mystical world of the ancient Maya, where time itself is sacred, woven into the cosmos, and reflected in grand temples, celestial alignments, and vibrant rituals. Belize, home to some of the most breathtaking Mayan sites, offers unique opportunities to witness these ancient traditions come to life.
Imagine standing atop a temple as the sun aligns perfectly with the stones or walking through caves filled with offerings to long-forgotten gods. If you’re looking for an unforgettable journey through time, plan your Belize adventure around these ten magical dates to immerse yourself in history, ritual, and wonder.
January 16 – Mayan New Year (Oxlajuj B’aktun Cycle)
The Mayan New Year isn’t just a date. It’s a cosmic reset. For the Maya, this day marked the start of a new cycle, a time for renewal and divine blessings. Specifically, this date represented an opportunity to reconnect with astral wisdom and natural cycles.
Ancient priests once gathered at the towering temples of Xunantunich, Caracol, and other Mayan Ruins, chanting prayers to the gods for prosperity. Today, visitors can embrace this spiritual awakening, exploring sacred ruins while reflecting on the year ahead.
Some activities to commemorate this cosmic date include fire rituals, offerings of copal incense, flowers, food, prayers, meditations, and traditional music and dance.
March 21 – Spring Equinox
The Spring Equinox is a moment of perfect cosmic balance, where day and night share equal power. It is considered one of the most famous celebrations. It signals the beginning of the planting season, crucial for the Maya maize cycle. Maize is considered a gift from the gods, and the Maya believed their ancestors were created from maize dough.
At Caracol, deep in the jungle, the sunrise casts an otherworldly glow over its ancient stones. The Maya were master astronomers whose temples aligned precisely with celestial events. As the pyramids’ shadows fall in perfect symmetry, it’s easy to imagine the spirits of ancient priests watching from beyond. The Maya’s advanced knowledge of astronomy allowed them to align temples with the solar, lunar, and planetary cycles, reinforcing the connection between the heavens, Earth, and human existence.
April 3-9 – Semana Santa (Holy Week)
A blend of Catholicism and ancient Mayan traditions, Semana Santa is one of Belize’s most spiritual times. Not many know that these Catholic Celebrations are rooted in Indigenous spirituality, ancestral rituals, and syncretism – the blending of Catholic and Maya beliefs. The Spanish Colonization in the 16th century imposed Catholicism on the Mayans, but rather than abandoning their own spirituality, the Maya merged their cosmic worldview with Christian rituals.
Some key elements that show this syncretism include:
Carpets: The intricate carpets created for Good Friday originated from ancient Maya ceremonial pathways.
Burning of Incense: Fire and smoke are seen as messengers to the gods, carrying prayers upward.
Offerings: In some indigenous communities in Guatemala, specific chocolate-based drinks are prepared for Semana Santa, echoing ancient rituals.
While grand processions occur in towns like Benque Viejo Del Carmen a deeper, more ancient emotion and reality unfolds in the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave.
Here, untouched artifacts and skeletal remains of human sacrifices tell the story of Mayan offerings to the gods. Imagine stepping into this sacred underworld, where flashlights illuminate centuries-old relics.
May 3 – Day of the Holy Cross
At Lamanai, one of Belize’s most enchanting ruins, the jungle pulses with life as locals from Northern Belize celebrate the Day of the Holy Cross. Officially, the Day of the Holy Cross is observed as a Catholic feast honouring Saint Helena’s discovery of the True Cross. However, it has deep pre-Hispanic roots; this day has been syncretized with ancient rain, fertility, and earth rituals.
It is important to note that the “cross” for the Catholics also symbolized the four Cardinal directions for the Maya, who believed that the universe was structured around a sacred four-directional cosmic cross, symbolizing balance and the connection between Earth and the heavens.
Walking through these ruins on this day, you might feel the echoes of ancient prayers and rituals still lingering in the air.
June 21 – Summer Solstice a gateway to Cosmic Energy
The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year, a time of fire, light, and rebirth. It is a powerful event in Maya cosmology, astronomy, and spirituality, marking the longest day of the year when the sun reaches its highest point. This was a time of solar alignment, agricultural significance, and spiritual renewal for the ancient Maya.
The Maya honoured the sun god Kinich Ahau, gathering at sites like Xunantunich; the rising sun aligns perfectly with El Castillo and other nearby structures, casting intricate light and shadow patterns that highlight the Maya’s advanced architectural knowledge illuminating specific carvings and temple doorways and corners that is believed to have guided ceremonial activities.
As golden light floods the jungle, one can almost hear the echoes of Mayan chants merging with the calls of howler monkeys.
July 16-20 – The Maya Deer Dance Festival
In San Antonio (Toledo District), the Maya Deer Dance (Baile del Venado) brings ancient folklore to life. Dancers in elaborate costumes reenact a cosmic hunt, symbolizing the balance between nature, the gods, and humanity. Over time, the dance took on a new meaning—symbolizing the indigenous struggle against Spanish Colonial rule. The Hunters (indigenous people) and the deer (the Sacred land) represent the fight to protect their culture from invaders.
This dance is a highly choreographed performance that involves traditional music, elaborate costumes, and masks. The dance follows a circular motion, representing the cycle of life. The deer moves gracefully while the hunters stalk carefully, showing deep respect for nature. The final act varies. The deer might be killed, symbolizing the sacrifices of nature, or it might escape, representing resilience and survival.
The rhythmic beating of drums and ceremonial chants transport you to an era where myth and reality intertwine.
August 11-13: The Birth of the Maize God- The Eternal Cycle of Life through Corn
In Mayan mythology, the Maize God represents renewal and abundance; hence, the birth of the Maize God is observed as one of the most sacred events in Mayan mythology and cosmology. It marks the symbolic renewal of life, fertility, and sustenance, aligning with the agricultural cycle and the importance of maize (Corn) in the Maya civilization.
The Maize God Hun Hunahpu or Juun Ixiim’s story begins in the underworld, where he was conceived according to the Popul Vuh; the Hero Twins (Hunahpu and Xbalanque) are the sons of the Maize God, their father Hun Hunahpu was tricked, and sacrificed in the underworld by the Lords of the dead. His head was placed on a calabash tree where Ixkik’ (Blood Moon Goddess) became pregnant with the Hero Twins after coming in contact with the Maize God’s remains. The twins later defeated the Lord’s Xibalba and resurrected their father, the Maize God.
It’s important to note that the Maya have always aligned myth with cosmology. This date also marks the day of a new solar cycle, aligning with the rising of the Milky Way in the pre-dawn sky, which was symbolic of the rebirth of the Maize God and the sign of agricultural abundance.
In the Toledo District, where Corn remains sacred, villagers celebrate with traditional feasts, including handmade tortillas and tamales. Eating maize here is not just a meal—it’s partaking in a tradition older than time. The Maya Ball Game of Pok-a-Tok is also played in honor of the Maize God.
October 31 – Hanal Pixán (Maya Day of the Dead)
Belizeans honour their ancestors during Hanal Pixán, the Maya version of Día de los Muertos in Northern and Western. This celebration is a time for honouring deceased loved ones, preparing traditional foods, and performing rituals to welcome the spirits back to the world of the living. The Maya believe that death is not the end but a transition into the spiritual world; the dead do not disappear but continue to exist in another plane, returning once a year.
Key elements of Hanal Pixan include:
The altar (offer) with photographs, candles, incense, flowers, and personal belongings or favorite deceased objects.
Traditional foods and ritual feasts that include atole (Corn based drink)
Visiting the Cemeteries
Wandering through the candlelit streets, you may feel the veil between worlds grows thin, with whispers from the past carried in the wind.
December 21 – Winter Solstice
The winter solstice is one of the most significant Astronomical events in the Mayan calendar, marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It was also connected with the Maya Underworld (Xibalba). They believed that during this time, the boundaries between the living world and Xibalba were thinnest since it marked the “death” of the old sun and the birth of a new solar cycle.
Caracol contains several structures aligned with solar events. At the Caana Pyramid (Sky Palace), certain temples and stelae were positioned so that on the Winter Solstice, the rising and setting sun aligned perfectly with key structures. The rulers and nobles performed bloodletting ceremonies to connect with the gods and ancestors.
Standing atop its great temples, you’ll understand why the Maya saw time as an endless loop, where history and destiny intertwine. Look out for the Milky Way, which the Mayans saw as a sacred cosmic tree, as it appears in the night sky during the Winter Solstice.
Plan your Spiritual Belize Vacation and stay at The Lodge at Chaa Creek
Belize entices history buffs, spiritual seekers, and those seeking to connect and experience something beyond vivid colors, delicious food, and charming Caribbean weather. These nine magical dates and a perfect stay in one of the country’s top Eco Resort sound like the ideal plan.
The Lodge at Chaa Creek is located in the heart of the ancient Maya Civilization in Belize’s Cayo district, a region renowned for its Mayan Ruins, Caracol, Xunatunich, and Cahal Pech.
This eco-resort, spread across 500 acres of a nature reserve, is a sanctuary for Indigenous wildlife, including Tyras, Ocelots, and various winged beauties. It’s a cultural and ecological haven that promises a unique and enriching experience.
The Eco Resort is a haven for adventure enthusiasts, offering a perfect blend of luxurious accommodations and thrilling activities, all within reach on the property. Whether you prefer to plan your adventures with the reservations team or book tours with the concierge, the options are endless.