Xunantunich: Echoes of the Ancients Mayan Civilization
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Walk through ancient plazas where Mayan rituals and ceremonies once took place. Whilst making your way to the top of El Castillo, the tallest temple on the site, our guests also get to see the remarkable stucco frieze, which includes interesting hieroglyphic writings and symbols representing Mayan religious beliefs, inscribed on both the east and west sides of this huge temple. Arriving atop, you will be mesmerized by the picturesque beauty of the mountainous landscape of western Belize. This tour begins from Belize City and takes you across the country, going westward for approximately 1 1/2 hours until you arrive just about a mile from the Belize/Guatemala border, just before the bordering town of Benque Viejo. Here you will cross the Mopan River by a hand-crank ferry, the way it has traditionally been done. This full-day activity includes lunch and allows you to see the countryside. You will be able to capture epic photos of ancient carvings, jungle landscapes, and wildlife.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
Dress code is formal
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
A maximum of 15 people per booking
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Local guide
Bottled water
Driver/guide
Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Gratuities
Entrance Fees
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Xunantunich
This guided tour then begins at the Museum, where you are given detail information of this particular site and you get to see some Mayan artifacts that was found during excavation. The tour then continue to the plazas and temples. As more information is being presented, you will see the different temples and walk through the plazas. If you have the energy, you are also allowed to climb the temples, including El Castillo, the tallest temple at Xunantunich and the second tallest excavated in Belize. This temple goes up to 137ft from the plaza floor. As you make your way to the top, halfway you will notice a large stucco frieze of hieroglyphic writing and symbols inscribed on both the east and west side of the temple. Your guide will also make a presentation of these amazing inscriptions on your way up.
Options
Xunantunich: Echoes of the Ancients Mayan Civilization
Pickup included
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Poor
Robert B,
Apr 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Place for lunch had black mold on ceilings. Rundown stop along the side of the road. Viator people must of had a relative who worked there.
Our guide was so friendly...
MELISSA f,
Jan 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide, Albert, was so friendly and very informative throughout the whole trip. We learned so much during the drive, it made the time fly by! The ruins were beautiful, perfect sunny day. The market where we stopped for lunch was local and authentic and the food was very good!
Greatest experience you will have
reginald j,
Jan 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I learned somethings I didn't know about got to touch and climb to the top of the pyramids took plenty of pics
Loved the trip to San Ignacio
Barry A,
May 29, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The drive to San Ignaco. Went through several villages on the way to San Ignacio. Hill country. Mark was my guide. Very knowledgeable. The hand cranked ferry across the river was a hoot. The temple site was the largest i have seen while in Belize. 130 ft high. Ate lunch at a nice hilltop resort with a great view of San Ignacio Chal Pech resort. I quickly downed 2 bottles of Belikin strout. Excellent beer. Mark bought some water. There is a short uphill hike to the ruin so be prepared for the heat and humifity. The trip takes 2.5 hrs including the ferry and a short drive to the site. Most pictures show the temple side with the large carvings, north side. When you walk in you view the eastern side. You can walk up stairs to view the carvings. Be sure to walk to the right side of the temple or you can easily miss them. Lots of fires in Belize, Honduras, and Guatamala. Very smokey. Only saw the sun and blue sky 4 if 13 days i was in Belize.
A Great Experience
672cecillep,
Dec 23, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family had a wonderful time. Albert was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Be aware that there is an uphill hike to get to the ruins. It’s quite a workout. We learned a lot about Xunantunich, Belize, and the culture. We had pupusas and burritos for lunch at a local market. Overall, a great day.
Amazing! Thank you Dean and Junior!
Andrew F,
Jul 4, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Dean, our driver, was very knowledgeable about the surrounding countryside, Belizean history and geography. He was excellent!! Our tour guide at Xunantunich, Juniour, was an absolute treasure. He had been involved in archeological digs before and his knowledge of the site and surrounding areas was amazing. He took the time to explain everything to us, including the surrounding plant and wildlife. Junior absolutely made the trip a one of a kind experience. If you are able to request Dean and Junior as your transportation and guide you won't regret it. The site itself is beautiful and will take your breath away. When you visit the ruins please take care of them for our future generations.
Great Time!
Cynthia A,
May 27, 2022
- Review from Viator
5.00Mark was our tour guide and made our trip wonderful. Very informed and pleasant. Will definitely be back well worth the money. We always use Viator because we know we will have an awesome time.
Trip with Albert to Xunantunich
reedmangreg,
May 18, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is one of two tours with did with A Plus Adventure Belize; in this case it was 100% Albert, who as other mentioned here already is a super nice guy and a great wealth of knowledge! Albert picked us up from our resort and we did about 2.5h drive each way from Belize City to Xunantunich in his SUV. The drive isn't anything exciting until you reach Belmopan, after that the mountains and green hills add along with the curvature of the road to the visual experience. I reviewed Xunantunich separately here on TripAdivsor but would add here that Albert does combine this tour with another attraction in this area, if you are interested, and had we had more days in Belize City and didn't do this tour on our last full day on the mainland we would definitely add the cave tubbing or something else as it is quite a long drive and Xunantunich isn't as big/vast grounds as say Lamanai that we visited with A Plus the other day - what I am trying to say if you drove all the way from Belize City make the most out of it. The tour includes all type of entrance and barge fees and a lunch - you can do it before or after the tour of Xuna - Albert was extremely flexible with it and even with the time of pick up at our resort in the morning, a please to work with. An added treat to the experience was Albert Jr., Albert's young boy, whom joined us on this tour which we found a lovely idea; such a cool thing I bet for the son to be able to see and experience first hand what an amazing tour guide his father is - we loved it,. Once we returned to Belize City we all went for ice cream upon our request and we all enjoyed some outstanding cold treats! (I already have set up the page for it; Zero Degrees, separately). Highly recommended company and a good tour - again I highly recommend adding one more object (check their website or simply speak to Albert) to combine Xuna with - you will simply enjoy it even more!
A Plus Adventure Belize - Mayan Ruins
Fish2522,
Feb 15, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We booked a private tour with Albert and he was excellent. The drive to the site was a bit long but it was well worth the trip when we got to walk the grounds and climb the temples. Albert was very informative and accommodating making sure we had plenty of time to see everything and still get back to the cruise ship. He stopped at a local restaurant on the way back and we had a delicious meal the locals normally eat at lunch. I would recommend Albert and A Plus if you are interested in Mayan ruins.
The most beautiful in Belize
jipebe080,
Feb 6, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We left Belize City for the archaeological site of Xunantunich by van. Quite long (2h) road trip dotted with works. We were alone to visit the site which was a major ceremonial center during the classical period. It consists of 6 main squares, surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces, some of which are being restored. The largest temple named El Castillo is famous for its fresco and for its height of more than 40 meters, the 2nd highest in Belize. To get to the site, you will have to cross a river with a ferry... prehistory. Very nice. Do not hesitate to take the time or take a detour to visit this site, it is worth it
From US$150.00
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Operated by A Plus Adventures Belize