Cerros Ruins – Corozal
5/25/2009
We decided to spend our first full day in Belize locally and took a short trip to the Cerros Ruins, which are just across the bay from Corozal Town. From our current residence, they appear as bump in the otherwise level horizon of the forest canopy.
Access to the ruins used to require the services of a local boat operator. But, in recent years, a ferry system has been established across the New River, just south and east of town. The ferry runs 24 hours per day and is a seamlessly operated, free service. Although the access planks may seem rickety, the ferry is an extremely sturdy, glorified raft that is attached to a cable extending the width of the river. There are two attendants on board, but the polite custom seems to be that those taking the ferry literally pull their own weight by operating the cable crank that propels the boat the short distance across the river. We were fortunate enough to be accompanied by three other vehicles en route, so no cranking for us on this day.
New River Ferry Crossing
The Cerros ruins can be found by following occasional road signs along the dirt but well conditioned roads, just beyond the village of Copper Bank. The ruins are in the most tropical of settings and it is easy to imagine why the Mayans would have settled here, although their means of accessing this peninsula is less obvious. There is an admission fee to the site, which is surprisingly well attended given its semi-remote location. We followed impeccably maintained trails (complete with identified plant species) along the shores of Corozal Bay. However, there are quite a few aggressive mosquitoes on these trails, so insect repellent is strongly advised. There are two main temples at Cerros, one of which has had considerable reconstruction of its facades and the other of which is a 21meter tall pyramid, affording lovely views of Corozal Bay-even though it does not quite clear the forest canopy.
We decided to spend our first full day in Belize locally and took a short trip to the Cerros Ruins, which are just across the bay from Corozal Town. From our current residence, they appear as bump in the otherwise level horizon of the forest canopy.
Access to the ruins used to require the services of a local boat operator. But, in recent years, a ferry system has been established across the New River, just south and east of town. The ferry runs 24 hours per day and is a seamlessly operated, free service. Although the access planks may seem rickety, the ferry is an extremely sturdy, glorified raft that is attached to a cable extending the width of the river. There are two attendants on board, but the polite custom seems to be that those taking the ferry literally pull their own weight by operating the cable crank that propels the boat the short distance across the river. We were fortunate enough to be accompanied by three other vehicles en route, so no cranking for us on this day.
New River Ferry Crossing
The Cerros ruins can be found by following occasional road signs along the dirt but well conditioned roads, just beyond the village of Copper Bank. The ruins are in the most tropical of settings and it is easy to imagine why the Mayans would have settled here, although their means of accessing this peninsula is less obvious. There is an admission fee to the site, which is surprisingly well attended given its semi-remote location. We followed impeccably maintained trails (complete with identified plant species) along the shores of Corozal Bay. However, there are quite a few aggressive mosquitoes on these trails, so insect repellent is strongly advised. There are two main temples at Cerros, one of which has had considerable reconstruction of its facades and the other of which is a 21meter tall pyramid, affording lovely views of Corozal Bay-even though it does not quite clear the forest canopy.
Detailed driving directions from
Corozal Town to Cerros Mayan Ruins:
Drive south out of Corozal Town
on the main highway. As the road turns
away from the bay, pass the entrance to Tony’s Inn. Take the next LEFT onto a dirt road, signed to Cerros Ruins. (If you reach the airport, you have gone too
far.) Off the dirt road, take the second
RIGHT, currently signed to Orchid
Bay. Follow this road to the ferry. Cross the New River on the ferry. Continue on this road until the T. Turn LEFT
at the T, toward Copper Bank and Orchid Bay.
When you reach the town of Copper Bank, turn LEFT at the sign toward Cerros ruins. Follow the signs straight ahead until you
reach the Cerros Mayan Ruins.
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