Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

While the list of Belize's amazing Mayan archaeoligical sites should be a top 20, out of the 5 on this list, Cayo has 3: Xunantunich, Caracol, and Actun Tunichil Muknal.  They forgot Cahal Pech and El Pilar.  The article gives great descriptions of the sites, and describes Cayo too: 'laid-back San Ignacio is the quintessential traveler’s hub, the launch pad for exhilarating adventures in the remote Cayo District, a wild place where ancient mysticism and incredible biodiversity coalesce to provide a sensual and cerebral adventure of epic proportions.'

"What Xunantunich may lack in scale, it makes up for in its supreme location, crowning a limestone ridge that affords panoramic views of the Cayo District and the patchwork terraces of neighboring Guatemala...  Radiating from the site’s ceremonial axis -- the pyramid of El Castillo -- are a series of residences built for the city’s elite denizens, in addition to a ball court, all which date from the Classic Period, circa A.D. 200 to 900.  Rising from the jungle to a vertigo-inducing 135 feet, El Castillo features restored stucco reliefs that during the city’s heyday would have adorned the perimeter of the entire pyramid.  Despite being one of the most heavily touristed of Belize’s Maya ruins, in part due to its accessibility, a supernatural aura holds sway.  The name, Xunantunich, translated as 'Stone Woman,' dates to the late 19th century when, so myth and legend has it, a female figure dressed in white ascended the stairs of El Castillo before vanishing into the temple’s stone walls.  The city reached its zenith around A.D. 750 before an earthquake, interpreted by the Maya as the wrath of God, precipitated its demise."

Dr. Jaime Awe produced and stars in this video about the Popul Vuh.  Elfego Panti is the narrator.  The Mayan archaeological sites of Xunantunich and Caracol are featured. 

"This is the narrative of the Maya creation story and it follows the descent of the hero twins Hunahpu and Xbalanque to the underworld.  Taken from the Popol Vuh, “Book of the People” found in the 18th century by friar Francisco Ximénez in the Guatemalan highlands.  This documentary features archeological destinations like Caracol, Lamanai, Xunantunich, a wide variety of wild animals and jungle scenes.  It is narrated by Elfego Panti and special appearances by Dr. Jaime Awe."

Caracol and Xunantunich both made tripadvisor.com's top 10 list for Central American landmarks.  Caracol was ranked 4th place, and Xunantunich was 7th.  There were 4 other Mayan sites listed, with Altun Ha in the 8th place and Tikal next door in Guatemala on the list twice.