Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Small groups for a personalized experience. Convenient pick up and drop off at your hotel within 10km of San Ignacio town.
Xunantunich Maya Temple means “Maiden of the Rock," and it is located only 30 minutes south-west of San Ignacio Town, in the beautiful village of San Jose Succotz. This makes this site one of the most accessible Maya Temples in the area. To gain access to this magnificent site one must cross the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry. This is also a great place to pick up souvenirs and popular gift items like hand-made hammocks, slate carvings, jewelry, etc.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Things to bring along: Cool and comfortable clothing, hiking/tennis shoes, camera, bug spray, sun block lotion
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Professional local guide
Bottled water
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Food and drinks
Lunch
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Xunantunich
Xunantunichi, pronounced 'Shoo - Nan - Tu - Nich', gets its name from a legendary folktale about the ghost of a woman who as locals have it inhabited the sacred grounds as far back as the late 1800’s. A classic period (300 – 900AD) ceremonial center located just a stone’s throw away from San Ignacio in the beautiful Maya village of San Jose Succotz, making this one of the most accessible Maya Temples in the area. Xunantunich boasts Belize’s second largest Maya structures named El Castillo (The Castle) standing 130 feet and offering an astonishing panoramic view of the Maya Mountains.
Located just a stone’s throw away from San Ignacio in the beautiful Maya village of San Jose Succotz, making this one of the most accessible Maya Temples in the area. Xunantunich boasts Belize’s second largest Maya structures named El Castillo (The Castle) standing 130 feet and offering an astonishing panoramic view of the Maya Mountains. To get to the site one must cross the Mopan River by a hand cranked ferry, which then gives us access to the one mile ascent into one of Belize’s most popular sites. Here you will find yourself immersed in pristine jungle surroundings, home of howler monkeys, spider monkeys, birds and iguanas. While exploring along with your guide, you will learn about the history of this site and the Maya civilization that once inhabited it.
Options
Xunantunich Maya Site 1/2 day
Pickup included
Reviews
108 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
This excursion was absolutely worth the money!!
Tara N,
Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Pedro made our experience so enjoyable! He was knowledgeable and let us take our time so we could enjoy it all. The ruins were beautiful and the spider monkeys were an unexpected bonus!! This excursion was the highlight of our San Ignacio stay and Pedro was why. Totally recommend this excursion. It was so much more enjoyable with an experienced and well educated guide.
Family Thanksgiving trip
Stacey S,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We visited Xunantunich today with a small group, and our guide was absolutely incredible. I don’t think I would have enjoyed it nearly as much without his knowledge and the way he brought every structure to life. He answered all our questions, gave clear and fascinating explanations, and never made us feel rushed. I would 100% do this tour again. And the spider monkeys were an adorable bonus
Excellent half-day Xunantunich Mayan Ruins tour - don't miss this in Belize!
K1297LXjohnm,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My girlfriend and I were first-timers in Belize in September 2025, and found this Xunantunich Mayan Ruins tour online on Trip Advisor. I had a rental car for the trip from Belize City, and I did my research as to which of the multiple Mayan ruins sites in Belize seemed best for a day trip. The Xunantunich site also has in its favor that it's apparently one of the only such ruins that still permits visitors to climb to the top of the temple (I was told that this is no longer possible at Chichen Itza & other sites in Mexico). On a very hot day, we made the trip to San Ignacio and easily connected with our guide "Bern"; we were then able to ride to Xunantunich in a super-comfortable air-conditioned van. The ruins are reached by first taking an extremely short ferry ride across a river, and then hiking about 5 minutes. It's not possible to imagine a better guide for this half-day experience than Bern: he is local (speaks three Mayan languages), and was incredibly well-versed on the Mayan culture, history, and languages, as well as the local flora and fauna (we watched him coax a tarantula out of her hole in the grass with a small stick). We also learned a lot from him about Belize's approach to its heritage site, and to both local and international politics that are impacting the country's conservation efforts. Bern is also powerfully knowledgeable about this particular archaeological site of Xunantunich, and several times I noticed other tourists sneaking closer to us in order to be able to hear what he was saying. He accompanied my girlfriend and I to the top of the tallest temple, from where the view was astounding. We could easily see into nearby Guatemala. (NOTE: My girlfriend and I are in good physical shape, and we were up for a strenuous climb. While it's not necessary to climb in order to enjoy this site, the steps to the top of the temple are steep going up and going down, and there are minimal railings or barriers to stop you from falling. If I had brought a small child here, I would have been intensely anxious throughout the climb!) We left San Ignacio at day's end with pride in having climbed this historical wonder, and with great satisfaction in our choice of a tour company. I would readily book with Cayo Inland Expeditions for other tours whenever we return to Belize: this was easy to book, everything went exactly as planned and per instructions, and we truly won the lottery with Bern as our guide. Ask for him: you won't be disappointed!!
Climbing Mayan ruins
I6649HPkatm,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our visit to Xunatunich was exceptional. Edeoni, our guide is such a lovely, knowledgeable man. Learning about the history if the Mayan people and how he interpreted the carving is on the ruins was enlightening. He clearly loves his job. Jaheem, the driver, was so sweet!
Wonderful tour guide and tour
Whitney M,
Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide Pedro was such a delight! He was very knowledgeable and imparted a lot of knowledge about the ruins and the history of Belize in general. The tour was the perfect amount of time and I’m so glad we went with a guide rather than go see the ruins on our own.
Amazing with a guide!
B7159UEmaxd,
Sep 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience! Pedro was our guide and did such an awesome job not only explaining the history but even showing us trees and fruits and nuts around us. Even though we had a car rental we decided to go with a guide and don’t regret paying extra! It made the experience better
Unforgettable Cave Journey
220chaser,
Aug 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This experience was unforgettable and one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. The cave is beautiful and eerie at the same time and I learned so much. The Maya Walk Tour guides were amazing and did a fantastic job throughout the day as well.
The best ever!
Lindsey W,
Aug 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Goldborne was so knowledgeable, answered all of our questions, and let us take all the time we needed! He was such a great tour guide and I would highly recommended this to anyone staying in San Ignacio! So beautiful and completely worth it!
Great time visiting!
fabianoX9546KF,
Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very informative and our guide was excellent. Also had a lot of recommendations for the area. Great pace and as described
Laid-back learning
Camille R,
Jun 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00This was a really good excursion. We were picked up from our hotel and travel only 20 min. Our guide was knowledgeable and patient as we asked Soo many questions about Mayan culture.
From US$85.00
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Operated by Cayo Inland Expeditions