This fascinating half-day tour will focus on the contrast between the ancient Maya city of Altun Ha and modern day Belize City, highlighting 1000 years of development to this former British Colony. Altun Ha (Maya for Rock Stone Water) thrived as a trading post to the Maya World during the Post Classic and Classic periods. The site was made world famous by Dr. David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum on his finding the largest carved Jade Head depicting the Sun God “Kinich Ahau”. Weighing in at almost nine pounds, this has been Belize’s most valuable find. Belize City today is home to about 35% of the country’s population and remains the commercial capital of the country – the official capital was moved in 1971 to Belmopan in the interior. Your tour will include historical sites such as the Redbrick St. John’s Cathedral, where Kings from the Mosquito Coast were crowned and the colonial mansion once occupied by British Governors. The latter now converted to a museum called “House of Culture”. You will note the colonial wooden architecture of many of the houses throughout your tour.
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