Nim Li Punit is one of the smaller Maya sites well known for a large amount of stele found here. The site inherited its name from a carving on the site’s 26 stele, showing a figure wearing a large headdress. In the Maya Kekchi language, Nim Li Punit means ‘the big hat.’ Nim Li Punit lies about 5 kilometers off the Southern Highway, near the villages of Indian Creek and Golden Stream. Access to the site follows a fairly steep, hilly, dirt road bordered by tall cohune palms and towering trees draped with flowing vines.

How To Visit Nim Li Punit

When you reach the top of the ridge, the parking lot is only a few yards away from the visitor center. Two small, modern white concrete buildings with green tile roofs are situated on top of a slope. These two visitor centers, which are artistically built with huge stone pieces, black corrugated iron railings, and old fashioned wooden doors with glass panes, naturally blend in with the surroundings.

Inside the visitor center, many precious artifacts are on display. Several displays on the surrounding walls give information and pictures about customs, food, dance, dress and language of the Maya people. The view from the center is beautiful with the southern coastal plains laid out to the east. The narrow entrance road below is clearly marked with white stones, which disappear into thick jungle in the distance.

Nim Li Punit Is Set In The Mayan Foothills

Nim Li Punit is set in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, within the drainage basin of the Rio Grande. From the highest point of the site, at an elevation of 67 meters, the Caribbean Sea is visible on a clear day. Hours can be spent in enjoying the beauty of the site. The thousand-year-old ruins are covered with a layer of bright green moss. The well-kept grounds have large trees with thick trunks and huge canopies, making this a perfect place for picnicking. Birds sing all day long and the cool breeze rustles through the trees above, making leaves occasionally float to the ground.

The true beauty of the site is characterized by modifications of the naturally hilly landscape; the terracing and filling of hill slopes throughout the site to create platforms and plazas. A number of district trials linking each group are lined with poles and covered with a layer of white pebbles. The site is made up of 3 main areas designated as the West group, the East group and the South group. The West group is served as an access route to the city in ancient times; the South group is made up of the Royal Tombs and plaza of Stellae; while the South group contains the ball court.

Nim Li Punit Is Strategically Located

The strategic location of Nim Li Punit between the mountain and the sea coast allowed ancient city dwellers to engage in trade with cities, villages and other communities near and far. It is believed that the inhabitants of Nim Li Punit mainly focused on maintaining political and religious alliances. The large number of stele along with the presence of East Group assemblage and a ball court indicate that the site had some prominence in the social and religious life of the Ancient Maya of Southern Belize.