Xunantunich Mountain Biking

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

8 hours

Mobile ticket

Archaeotours are envisioned by Dr. Rafael Guerra as a way to enhance the visitor’s experience beyond the mainstream tour information. Dr. Guerra is the only tour guide who is also a professional archaeologist. This tour offers a chance to engage with a local archaeologist who has extensive research and exploration experience at Belizean archaeological sites, and learn more about the archaeological processes of archaeological knowledge building. Dr. Guerra started his archaeological career at Actun Tunichil Muknal in 1998 with the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project directed by Jaime Awe. In 2001, he joined the Belize Tourism Development Project (TDP) that was developing several major sites in Belize. Late in 2005, he joined the Belize Institute of Archaeology, where he helped develop a multivariate database for Belize’s Archaeological sites. In 2021, he completed his Ph.D. in Anthropology, focusing on the Maya of Belize at the University of New Mexico

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Specialized infant seats are available

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

It is recommended you wear comfortable closed toe shoes & Socks

Note: difficulty level of this trip is moderate

Minimum height to Paticipate is 40 inches for Children

Please note: a minimum of 2 passengers is required in order for this tour to operate. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund

Need to Wear either Short pants or Long Pants, T-Shirt or long Sleeve Shirt

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Local Lunch (Stew Chicken with Rice and beans or Vegeterian option)

Entrance fee

Hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio Town limits

Local Archeologist Tour guide

Air-conditioned vehicle

Bring Reusable water bottles

Use of necessary equipment (Helmet, Head light, Personal Floating Device)

Gratuities

Hotel pick up and drop off outside San Ignacio Town

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

San Ignacio

Departing San Ignacio Town at 8:00 am with an hour drive to the Actun Tunichil Muknal National Park. San Ignacio town was originally named El Cayo by the Spanish. On 19 October 1904, El Cayo was officially declared a town by the government of British Honduras. In the past, a creek ran between the Macal and the Mopan rivers, one mile outside of San Ignacio, going toward Benque Viejo. Enjoy the picturesque ride while passing the different local communities and observing multicultural people in their daily lives. We can see Mennonite people riding their horse and buggy, and a different architectural house.

Admission Not Applicable

Teakettle

Teakettle Village in Belize's Cayo District was founded by British settlers in the 1800s, likely named after local teak wood, and is a mix of Creole, Mestizo, and Mayan cultures. The village is near the Belize River and is significant for its proximity to Maya archaeological sites, such as the famous Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave. While its economy is based on agriculture, recent tourism infrastructure improvements, including an ATM Facilitation Center, mark a focus on developing its tourism potential.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

Xunantunich Mountain Biking

Pickup included

Reviews

4.67

6 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Physically Demanding but TOTALLY worth it.
Wanderer249938,
Jun 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Edgar was our amazing tour guide and motivator when biking uphill! He was extremely knowledgeable about the places we biked through in San Ignacio and we learned so much. He was patient when we asked to stop for a break or to take in the sights. Biking to and learning about Xunantunich is an unforgettable experience. Thank you so much, Edgar!
Fab mountain biking and Mayan visit
Helen M,
Feb 27, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great day biking and Mayan site seeing with Abel and Louis. Really great blokes and a lovely lunch of chicken, rice and peas
Mountain Biking Adventure
Isaac R,
Feb 4, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
This trip was such a fun experience. We got close to 10 miles total over the 5 hours that we were out and we got to experience a lot of the country, trails, farm animals, and Myan ruins. The bikes need a little work but they’re looking to get better ones. Made the ride more interesting.
Definitely an adventure
Luke H,
Jan 21, 2024
- Review from Viator
3.00
I would not recommend this trip until they get new bikes. The bikes we used were a death trap, and the only reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 0 is because our guide was EXCELLENT. He did his best to tighten the seats that kept slipping, but the derailleurs needed adjustment, tires were low, the handlebar on my friends bike nearly fell off, and his helmet was too small (only offered one size). The company provides the bikes, not the guide, so I didn’t blame him. Otherwise, the tour of the ruins was amazing and like I said our guide made up for all the mechanical and safety issues we were having. Luckily me and my friend are two young men who are just about down for anything, so we soldiered on in the rain. Selwyn was really a gem, and I hope they provide him with better equipment.
Knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide for our tour through the countryside and Xunantunich site
Steve B,
Dec 8, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00
Fantastic experience with an excellent guide. Our guide knew the Mayan archeological site and local community like the back of his hand, having grown up in the adjacent village. They are still working on their fleet of bikes so don’t expect anything high end - they served their purpose though.
This ride was really fun and not...
Diana B,
Dec 8, 2016
- Review from Viator
5.00
This ride was really fun and not very technical mostly dirt road, but some potholes and roots to make it interesting. A long slow climb, then downhill into farmland next to the river. We rode across a river on a hand cranked car ferry and climbed the paved hill up to Xunantuich Ruins. What made the ride and ruins tour so spectacular, is that our guide, Selwyn Bol is a naturalist with a degree from Belize University. He had a keen eye for birds, their sounds, and where to see them. He also had extensive knowledge of the local flora there. He explained so much about the Mayan Culture and Xunantunich, that it informed our later tours of Caracol, and Cahal Pech. This was money well spent and we rode our bikes through the jungle!