nelson adventures and belize city cruise port excursions logo

Nelson Maya Adventures

Alluring Mayan Site Tours and Outstanding Transfers Service for the Insightful Traveler.

"Explore More, Worry Less!"

Belize Maya Temple Tour

With our team of expert travel agents and tour operators, we ensure your experience is truly unforgettable.

El Pilar​ - The Hidden Maya City in the Jungle​

Price

Price varies by location - Can be done during a transfer.

Difficulty / Requirement

Moderate - Walking and Climbing

What's included

Guide, Entrance Fee, Round Trip Transportation, Lunch, Water, and (full day tour).

What to bring

Bug spray, Hat, Sunglasses, and Sturdy shoes.

El Pilar

Tucked away in the dense rainforest near San Ignacio, El Pilar is one of the largest yet least excavated Maya sites in Belize. Unlike other ruins where towering temples dominate the landscape, El Pilar offers visitors a more immersive experience, allowing them to explore the site as it remains partially covered by jungle. With its unique blend of archaeology, nature, and conservation, El Pilar provides a rare opportunity to see Maya history intertwined with the living forest.

Things to Do at El Pilar

  • Explore the Ancient Plazas and Structures: El Pilar consists of over 25 plazas and hundreds of structures, spread across both Belize and Guatemala. Unlike other sites, archaeologists have chosen to keep much of El Pilar’s structures unexcavated to preserve its connection with nature.

  • Walk the Maya Forest Trails: The site features a network of jungle trails, offering a unique blend of Maya ruins and pristine rainforest. As you walk through the ancient pathways, you’ll see how the Maya integrated their cities into the natural landscape.

  • Discover the Maya Forest Garden: El Pilar is known for its traditional Maya agricultural techniques, including the “forest garden”—a sustainable farming method still practiced today. Visitors can learn how the ancient Maya used plants for food, medicine, and daily life.

  • Birdwatching and Wildlife Spotting: Since El Pilar is surrounded by lush jungle, it’s a great place to spot howler monkeys, toucans, parrots, and other tropical wildlife.

  • Cross the Belize-Guatemala Border: The ruins of El Pilar extend into Guatemala, making it a unique site that spans two countries. Visitors can explore both sides of the site, experiencing its international significance.

The Journey to El Pilar

El Pilar is located 12 miles (19 km) from San Ignacio, near the Belize-Guatemala border. The journey takes about 45 minutes by car, with the last stretch of the road being an adventurous drive through jungle terrain. Visitors should consider a 4WD vehicle or guided tour for the best experience.

From Belize City, the journey takes about 2.5 hours by car, making El Pilar a great day trip from San Ignacio or a stop along a longer tour of Maya sites.

History of El Pilar

El Pilar was an important Maya city that thrived during the Preclassic (1000 BC) and Classic (250–900 AD) periods. Unlike other sites that were heavily excavated, El Pilar has been preserved as an archaeological reserve, allowing researchers to study how the ancient Maya lived in harmony with the rainforest.

The city was a major center for agriculture, trade, and culture, with evidence of extensive Maya farming systems. Today, archaeologists use El Pilar to understand ancient Maya land management techniques, which are seen as a model for sustainable farming.

Location to your destination

Nearby Temples and Attractions

If you’re visiting El Pilar, there are several other fascinating sites nearby worth exploring:


  • Xunantunich: Just a short drive from San Ignacio, Xunantunich is famous for El Castillo, one of the tallest Maya pyramids in Belize, offering stunning panoramic views.


  • Cahal Pech: Located within San Ignacio, Cahal Pech is an ancient Maya royal palace, providing insight into the lives of the elite.


  • Caracol: About 2.5 hours south, Caracol is the largest and most powerful ancient Maya city in Belize, featuring Caana, the tallest pyramid in the country.


  • Tikal (Guatemala): If you’re up for a cross-border adventure, Tikal—one of the most famous Maya sites in the world—is located just 2.5 hours from El Pilar in neighboring Guatemala.

Testimonials

Good Service, Happy Clients!

  • star rating  My husband Joe & I had a great tour with Josh as our guide. He took us to the Community Baboon Santuary to see the Black Howler Monkeys, the Belize... read more

    avatar thumb Tara S
    February 2, 2023
  • star rating  While visiting Caye Caulker with friends we decided to visit the Xunantunich ruins. Booking was seamless and our guide Auner met us at the water taxi. ... read more

    McGregor4
    October 25, 2022
  • star rating  We did a day trip from Belize City to Xunantunich with Auner as our guide and it was amazing experience with such a knowledgeable guide who provided so much information.

    44isballn
    October 25, 2022
  • star rating  We decided to arrange a private tour for a family of four to Tikal with Nelson Maya Adventures after reading a couple of reviews here and on a couple of... read more

    ViajeroIndiana
    August 8, 2022
  • star rating  We decided to arrange a private tour for a family of four to Tikal with Nelson Maya Adventures after reading a couple of reviews here and on a couple of... read more

    ViajeroIndiana
    August 4, 2022
5/5

Book Your Maya Temple Tour!

Fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you shortly!