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Xunantunich Day Trip from Belize City
Belize City, Belize
- 6 to 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Embark on an archaeological adventure in the jungles of Belize with a half-day trip to the Xunantunich Mayan ruins from Belize City. Learn about the history of this ancient Mesoamerican city from an expert guide, and climb to the top of the El Castillo stone temple for magnificent views over the treetops and into Guatemala.
- Half-day tour to the Xunantunich Mayan ruins from Belize City
- Explore the history of the once-mighty ancient city
- Travel across nearly the whole width of the country through coastal plains, farmlands, and Belizean villages
- Climb to the top of one of the largest ceremonial pyramids in Belize
- Float across a river on a hand-cranked ferry
- Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Belize City
What's Included
- Local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Meeting point
- Belize City, Belize City, Belize District
We pick up from all locations in or near Belize City. Including all AirBnb locations in Belize City. We pick up from both the San Pedro Belize Express and the Ocean Ferry Water Taxis as well.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Start time
08:00 AM
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Pickup details
We also pick up from San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi and Ocean Ferry for guests coming from San Pedro or Caye Caulker. We also pick up from all AirBnB locations around Belize City.
What To Expect
Prepare for morning pickup at your Belize City hotel and travel west in an air-conditioned van away from the shore and into the country’s lush green interior. Enjoy the changing views as you pass through coastal plains, traditional Creole villages, Mennonite farmland, the new capital of Belmopan, and the towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. Finally, cross the scenic Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry to ascend to the hilltop archaeological site of Xunantunich.
Learn about the history of this ancient Mayan city, which once served as an important spiritual and trading center of Mesoamerica and is home to one of the tallest ceremonial pyramids in Belize, the imposing El Castillo. Climb a series of stone staircases and through inner chambers to reach the top of the 130-foot (40-meter) temple, where you'll be rewarded with magnificent views of the surrounding rainforest and into the nearby Guatemalan border. Keep an eye out for residents black howler monkeys swinging in the trees below.
Explore other components of the site including the ruins of royal palaces, a recreational ball court, a marketplace, and ceremonial bathhouses, and visit the on-site museum to see excavated artifacts like hand-carved stone friezes of Mayan gods. After letting your imagination run wild through thousands of years of human history, return to the van and relax on the ride back along the Western Highway to Belize City.
Learn about the history of this ancient Mayan city, which once served as an important spiritual and trading center of Mesoamerica and is home to one of the tallest ceremonial pyramids in Belize, the imposing El Castillo. Climb a series of stone staircases and through inner chambers to reach the top of the 130-foot (40-meter) temple, where you'll be rewarded with magnificent views of the surrounding rainforest and into the nearby Guatemalan border. Keep an eye out for residents black howler monkeys swinging in the trees below.
Explore other components of the site including the ruins of royal palaces, a recreational ball court, a marketplace, and ceremonial bathhouses, and visit the on-site museum to see excavated artifacts like hand-carved stone friezes of Mayan gods. After letting your imagination run wild through thousands of years of human history, return to the van and relax on the ride back along the Western Highway to Belize City.
Xunantunich
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Reviews
4.5
21 reviews
chonghaulim, Oct 2019
It was an educational private tour, thanks to the guide Melanie. I learned a lot about not just Xunatunich, but also Belize culture and information. The tour was private, me and another 2 persons, so there were no waiting on bus, time to pick up/drop off people stuff. On top of that, it was a slow season so there was no crowd at all. Melanie brought us to the zoo after that, which was an extra (for $40 with our consent), and that was an interesting zoo to check out too. I strongly recommend this if you don't like crowd or going with a bigger group.
Response from Host, Nov 2019
Super awesome that you enjoyed our tour. We were glad we exceeded your expectations. We try our best to always make our guests comfortable and enjoy the most Belize has to offer. Thanks for choosing the Fun Tours Family for your tour in Belize.
FarAway236958, Aug 2019
It was a pleasure to tour with Kadeem. He made the tour a fun trip and went beyond ways to help out with things. Thanks Kadeem. You are one helluva guy!
Highly recommended.
Chris H, Jan 2018
Leonardo and Roberto showed us a great time at the archeological site! Knowledgeable, personable guides!! We learned a lot and had a great time! The place that we had lunch was GREAT!!! Thank you so much.
From $145.00
Price varies by group size
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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