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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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Mayan Treasure Hunt in the 80’s

by tacogirl 03/06/2017
written by tacogirl 03/06/2017
Mayan Treasure

Today’s guest post by Kai Martin tells a great story of it was like to go look for Mayan treasure at the ruins near the southern tip of the island close to 31 years before it was designated as a world Heritage site. There were no plank walkways to help navigate the 1/4 mile swampy path into dryer grounds of Marco Gonzalez.

I have added a bit on modern day Marco below Kai’s write up. If you like ruins but do not want a long day trip to mainland, this small site in South Ambergris Caye is worth seeing.

Mayan Treasure

We lived in San Pedro during the time of “bigger circus than this done come to town and gone broke”. The 80’s. It seemed everybody you met under the big tree at Paradise was looking at Ambergris Caye with dollar signs in their eyes. A place to get rich quick, whether from drugs, land speculation, or business opportunities.

My neighbor Claudio Trejo told my husband Franc and I about the “Mayan ruin” at the south end of the island. We could dig for Jade and Mayan artifacts. A true treasure hunt! So one morning we loaded up in the little Boston Whaler and zipped down there. To be honest, I was not expecting much.

We pulled up to a small rickety dock and walked down a small skinny pier built through the middle of a mangrove swamp until it ended. Then we had no choice but to walk through the swamp. I was in a long sleeved shirt, shorts and Dockers. The further we got into the swamp, the tougher it got to walk through the muck. Every few steps you would sink ankle deep into this quick sand like environment.

My 100 lbs. started sinking in further and further, to the ankle, to the knee and finally I took a step and my right leg sank all the way to the top of my thigh. I was stuck. Franc and Claudio pulled me out as a loud sucking sound escaped when I was freed. Unfortunately my shoe was still down there somewhere! And my leg was scratched red from scraping against a Mangrove root. I was convinced I would die of some tropical infection before I could even reach the boat, but they convinced me to move on.

We finally made it to more solid jungle like ground. This is when the mosquitoes hit. At one point Franc counted over 30 on the back of my shirt as he followed behind. It was NOT a note of encouragement! It was at about this point that I said I wanted to turn around and go back. Claudio said no, we were half way there. I said “no, we are half way there when we turn around to go back!”. I used that saying many times since then in my life! Again the men prevailed.

We finally made it to a small clearing where you could see some rocks and disturbances in the earth. It was obvious that people had been searching for something. I made two feeble digs at the barren ground and I was ready to go.

I RAN all the way back to that beautiful crystal clear water and dove in. It felt wonderful and cleansing. That water was MY treasure. It was several years later when I picked up a National Geographic magazine that had a whole article about that same site! I was there before its time.

I understand it is now, since 2011, the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site. I’m glad it is protected. I’m happy that others, more prepared than we were, have secured this piece of history for Belize. I’m fine that I failed at being Indiana Jones!!!

If you liked this post and did not see Kai Martin’s last guest post, click to read – Back in the day (1986) Atlantis was on Ambergris Caye. It has some great pics of town and resorts from way back.

Mayan Treasure

In search of Mayan treasure

In Search of Maya Treasures

Not Indiana Jones but still a trooper

Mayan Treasures

Exploring Marco Gonzalez Maya ruins long before it became a world heritage site

Maya Ruin Ambergris Caye

Marco Gonzalez Maya Ruin area South Ambergris Caye

I have added a few pictures below of modern day Marco Gonzalez site from a tour I did with friends back in 2015. Neither of them had been there before and I knew they would enjoy an interesting Maya history lesson from the official tour with Jan Brown.

Although the site is not big like those on the mainland it is every bit as wondrous in a different way, especially with Jan telling the story. The 2,000 year old ruin sits on approximately 8 elevated acres and offers lots of ground level sight seeing. During a guided tour, you will learn the story behind the Maya culture being on Ambergris Caye,in Belize, Central America and Yucatan. Enjoy the unique experience of walking on ancient ground covered with pottery shards, seeing Maya remains and being able to respectfully hold Mayan artifacts.

Plan Your Ruins Tour Accordingly

Note: Mosquitoes can definitely be a factor on this adventure. Be sure to ask how buggy it has been before you take the tour. My last time there was very buggy, we were aware of that going in and chose to do it anyways – no regrets. They gave us mosquito net hats palmetto swatters and Jan was lighting torches along the way to smoke them out.

I have also gone there in very wet conditions with 6 friends. Thankfully Jan was willing to take us in spite of oncoming weather warning thanks to Belize Hydromet site – we loved every rainy and well waterproofed minute. Click through for of great artifact pictures and Maya history.

More Information

Like the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site Facebook Page for updates and special events.

If you are looking for fun things to do on Ambergris Caye and want a few more opinions, click through to read other adventurers reviews on our small but super cool island ruins –  Marco Gonzalez Maya Site.

Mayan Treasure

10 bz (residents) entry fee 20 bz tour cost – well worth it

Jan Brown showing us stone weights and various artifacts found on site

Mayan Treasures

Ground is covered in ancient pottery chards

Mayan Ruins Belize

Stone stair blocks of structure 12 would have been squared off across the tops with dirt back-fill to level 

Marco Gonzalez Ambergris Caye

Both structures 12 and 14 dated from pre-100 AD to 1400’s AD. Site was abandoned by the 1500’s

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

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3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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