Marco Gonzalez Maya Site

Marco Gonzalez Maya Site Marco Gonzalez Maya site, a 2000 yr old mystery, located 5.25 south of San Pedro Town. The site is heavy jungle with a population of hungry mosquitoes.

Permanently closed.

It is within a mangrove marsh with no formal access thru the unpredictable wetland "quicksand" soil. Current day Marco Gonzalez is approximately 8 acres on a small area of elevated terrain. Over 2,000 years ago, the area would have been much larger as evidenced by archaeological debris underlying mangrove stands. Before sea levels rose, the area is thought to have had beaches and a direct access

to the sea. The rise in sea level of about 60cm (approx. 2ft) over the past 20 centuries plus accretion of weather environs has significantly altered the land mass.

26/11/2024

Nov 2024. Notice to interested visitors:
The site nor the boardwalk into the site are NOT maintained. The site is pure jungle with NO recognizable paths marked. The boardwalk is NOT safe at this time. Tons of mosquitoes, as well. There are NO trained quides for Marco.
It is HIGHLY recommended that you tour the beautiful sites on the mainland to experience the Maya history.
Note: Island Maya history is alive at the new Eco Museum with Mito Paz, North San Pedro.
Jan Brown

03/06/2023

Dec.2023 Update: The site has been empty since July and the field school ended. Therefore, the site has returned to jungle with NO paths identifiable. With the Nov/Dec rains, the mosquitoes are very hungry!
Best advice is to take the mainland tours to groomed sites to enjoy the wonders of the Maya.
Jan

For the first time in 3 yrs, visitors can reach the Maya site on a stable boardwalk and actually find a very few house structures! All thanks to an archaeology field school from Michigan State Univ. under the direction of Dr. Gabe Wrobel. Dr Liz Graham is here to pass her PI (principal investigator) title to Gabe as she is retiring from University College London this year. We look forward to Gabe carrying on her studies at the site.
So the month of June is the time to see the site - as much as has been bushed - and see how studies are carried out❣️👍😁

26/02/2023

In December or January, a couple managed to traverse the bad boardwalk. I saw the post of their pictures on the walk in. Now I can't find the photos. If you're out there, please repost! I could use the pictures to encourage IoA to help repair the walkway!!!

In the meantime, PLLLEEEEAAASSE reconsider going into the site. It isn't safe!! I don't want anyone getting hurt on your vacation.

Also the site is very overgrown again. Hard to get anyplace due to trees down and overgrown bush. ☹️🤔

Thank you, Jan

20/10/2022

PLEASE!!!!!
Use caution on the
Boardwalk😵‍💫☹️
It's in very bad shape!!

02/06/2022

May 24, 2022, update from the former manager of the site:
To those hearty want-a-be visitors, I have received pictures of the board walk leading into the site. It is in bad condition in several places, with the under support boards having given into Nature, water and termite damage. This has left the top boards dislodged and impassable. One would have to get into the water to wade around the damaged parts. This is UNSAFE, as you don't know how far your feet will sink into the marsh ooze.
Please consider your safety when attempting entry to the National Park❣️

Marco Gonzalez "scoop". Several have wondered about the disappearance of the Marco Gonzakez "office". Some saw it roll...
12/08/2021

Marco Gonzalez "scoop".

Several have wondered about the disappearance of the Marco Gonzakez "office". Some saw it rolling down the road on a truck. See below. Thanks for the many memories.

Yes, May 2019, was the end of MGMSAC, Ltd when we reported to Institute of Archaeology we could no longer afford to manage the site financially. IoA never took over as they said they would.
2020 covid. MGMSAC Ltd disolved. Lots sold which would have been the Visitors Center location.
2021. Site still open for any one who wants to walk on a non maintained boardwalk for 2 years. Site, Im sure, is being reclaimed as jungle.
20+ yr old office bldg has been donated to replace a small house which was falling down. (When the carpenter took off the first piece of roof - a golf cart top - the shack almost collapsed under the weight of the man & ladder. It was that bad.)

Mystery solved. It's a nice ending.

2022. Excavations are still being planned. More on that later.

30/11/2020

30 Nov 2020.
Hello friends of MGMS. Been a while since I posted. Covid restraints, rain, 2 hurricanes, now bad roads and I'm sure hordes of mosquitoes, iit's been a while since i've been on site. Nature has surely taken it's toll and its not the same beautifully cleared paths and plazas as 2019 when MGMSAC, Ltd stopped managemt due to no finances. The site is still a magical place if you do visit. Please be careful on the boardwalk. Im sure the blue ribbons marking the trail are faded and the trails are difficult now. There will be standing water north west corner around Str. 27/28. Also southwest corner turn at Str 42. Might get your feet wet!
Perhaps - someday - there will be funding to spruce things up. Our continuing hope is for Institute of Archaeology to finally take control of their designated National Park. Like so many things in San Pedro, Marco is forgotten
Well, abandoned but not forgotten. ❤

28/07/2020

Hello Marco followers. A year later and Marco is still an orphaned site. And then the world shut down. Marco is in sad shape as far as clean and groomed like many of you remember. However its still a place of mystery and fun to explore! Our NPO is financially unable to hire workers to clean or repair the boardwalk. PLEASE be careful if you venture in. While the mossies arent bad in town, you will want spray & proper clothes while investigating the site.
Bo'tik. Thank you

December 15th, the lock is off and the gate is open. But, no one is home except the Maya spirits. When visiting, please...
21/12/2019

December 15th, the lock is off and the gate is open. But, no one is home except the Maya spirits. When visiting, please be careful as no boardwalk repairs have been done or much clean up in the past 6 months. Some paths may be blocked. Still no word from GOB to become a steward of the site, but it belongs to Belize, its people and those who have a curiosity of the Maya. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL - leave all items where you find them. It will always be an Archaeological Reserve. Thank you, Jan. PS: if you take, the Spirits will know who you are! Trust me......

24/10/2019

For anyone asking, the site remains closed to visit. Gate locked. NICH and Institute of Archeology have NOT made decision to get it on GOB funding, hire an employee and open the gate. If you are unhappy by this continuing situation, call IoA, Dr. John Morris, Director, 822-2106. Thank you for your support.
Jan Brown, Chairman of the Board
MGMSAC, Ltd., A Belizean Non-Profit Org

18/07/2019

Dear friends and supporters, 18 days closed since June 30th. NICH & Institute of Archeology are working on budget & contract to assume being the caretakers of the site. The non-profit organization which was co-managing the site for 9 years through donations and park fees could no longer finance the venture.
We appreciate your continued conversations and desire to visit Marco. I have received word that NICH President Ms Budrhani and IOA Director Dr Morris are working on a solution. I will post results ad soon as I know.
In the meantime, please respect the Closed Notice. Do not scale the fence/gate as has been reported. If something should happen while illegally on GOB property, there is no employee to assist you.
Thank you,
Jan Brown, Chairman of Board
MGMSAC, Ltd.
A Belizean NPO

Address

5. 25 Miles South Of
San Pedro

Telephone

5016722725

Website

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