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Caracol, Xunantunich, and Actun Tunichil Muknal are all highlighted in Green Globe Travel's list of amazing Maya Archaeological Sites(not ruins please). They have an interesting take on the translation of Xunantunich... There's some good history information in the article.
"Built some 1300 years ago, Xunantunich (whose name means 'Sculpture of Lady' in the Maya language) was the ceremonial center in the Belize Valley.
The site is located along the Mopan River, near the border with Guatemala. Its central feature is Belize’s second tallest structure (at 130 feet), which is rather generically referred to as 'El Castillo.'
Though archaeological evidence indicates the area was populated as early as 1000 BC, it didn’t blossom until it was connected with nearby Naranjo in the late seventh century. The site consists of over a dozen palaces and temples, half a dozen plazas, ball courts, and much more that still has yet to be unearthed.
One of the highlights of Xunantunich is that visitors are allowed to climb to the top of El Castillo. The stunning scenic view from the top includes the surrounding ruins, then stretches out over miles and miles of jungle. Another nice part of this site is that it doesn’t have the overwhelming crowds that mass tourism attractions like Chicken Itza get."
