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Xunantunich horseback riding tour

Name: Xunantunich horseback riding tour
Brand: St Leonard's Tours
SKU: 9165P1
Price: 100.00 USD
Rating: 5.0 (115 reviews)

San Ignacio, Belize

4 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Ride a horse to the Maya ceremonial center of Xunantunich on a 4-hour private tour from a legendary riding stable in San Ignacio. Follow your guide along the gentle Mopan River, and watch for tropical birds and howler monkeys among the trees. Enjoy a sweeping view of the Xunantunich complex, then spend an hour at the fascinating site; take in the towering El Castillo pyramid and enjoy the serenity of the rural spot as you ride through the partially excavated ruins before returning to San Ignacio.

Informative, friendly and professional guide
Perfect for all ages and skill level
Popular choice with kids
Small group ensures personal service
All necessary equipment included
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included

What's Included

bottle water, riding helmet, entrance fee to Xunantunich
Local, professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off in San Ignacio

pickups & drop offs OUTSIDE San Ignacio Town
Gratuities
pickups OUTSIDE San Ignacio Town must be arranged with local provider prior to tour date.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

07:30 AM

Pickup details

pickup starts 7:30am IN TOWN. HOTELs/RESORTs OUTSIDE of San Ignacio town will have an Additional fees for pickup & drop off depending on its location out of town & pickup time OUT OF TOWN depends on distance out of town. rider's WEIGHT will be confirmed at our St Leonard's stable. NO PICKUPS available for hotels/resorts in BELIZE CITY, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Hopkins, Placencia. Guests are advised to spend an overnight in San Ignacio Town or use own transport or shuttle. TOUR NOT AVAILABLE to cruise ship passengers due to duration of tour and driving distance to & from cruise ship terminals THIS is a SHARED TOUR, tours can be 2-14ppl, (groups of 10-14ppl are rare but can happen during high season)

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

min of 2 people; MAX of 12 pax; WEIGHT LIMIT 245 lbs per rider
ATTIRE recommended: Any long pants, comfortable closed toes footwear
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended (NO FLIP FLOPs)
NB: SHARED group tours start with 730am pickups in town OR earlier if OUT of town
Children must be accompanied by an adult
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Laura_M

This was an amazing way to get to Xunantunich ruins!! The ride was beautiful and took you thru the countryside and along the the river. At the ruins we saw spider monkeys and iguanas and beautiful views. Our guides were friendly and very knowledgeable on the Maya history of the ruins. I highly recommend this tour!!

Reviews

5.0

115 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 115 reviews

Would recommend!

Nicole_S, Mar 2024

The tour meet all of our expectations! The horses were easy to ride even with minimal experience, the tour guides were helpful and knowledgeable and the ruins were amazing- we were able to climb to the top. It can get a bit hot (we went in March) so bring sunscreen and layers and the guides were great about bringing and encouraging water. The only thing I would say to keep in mind is that the majority of time felt horse related and less so time at the ruins but it felt like enough time to see and learn as Jose, our guide, was very knowledgeable.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for taking time to write such a great review. At St. Leonard's, we take pride in providing unforgettable experiences, and it's wonderful to hear that you found the horses easy to ride and the tour guides helpful and knowledgeable. Exploring the amazing ruins and climbing to the top must have been truly remarkable. We understand the importance of staying hydrated, especially in the heat, and our guides always prioritize the well-being of our guests by encouraging water breaks. Your feedback regarding the balance of time spent on horseback versus at the ruins is valuable, and we'll certainly take it into consideration for future tours. We're glad Jose was able to enrich your experience with his expertise. Thank you for choosing St. Leonard's, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon!

Great Visit to Xunantunich

Anne_W, Mar 2024

Wonderful trip to Xunantunich with my girls. One is an avid horsewoman, the other is slightly afraid of horses. They both had a great time, the horses were matched to their abilities. Our guides were fabulous, kept a watchful eye and provided a wonderful tour of the site. Loved riding along the river and making the ferry crossing with the horses. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for taking time to write a review. We're very happy to hear that you and your girls had a wonderful trip to Xunantunich with us at St Leonard's! It's heartwarming to know that both the avid horsewoman and the one slightly afraid of horses had a great time, with the horses matched perfectly to their abilities. Our guides take great care in ensuring the comfort and enjoyment of all our guests, and we're delighted that they provided a fabulous tour of the site, including the memorable ride along the river and ferry crossing with the horses. Thank you for your kind words and recommendation; we look forward to welcoming you all back for more unforgettable adventures in the future!

Amazing Experience!

salina_s, Feb 2024

We had an incredible ride to the ruins!! It was my son’s first time and he did really well due to their guidance and amazing staff. It was definitely a memorable experience.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you for your kind words Salina and welcome home! We're thrilled to hear that you and your son had an incredible ride to the ruins! It's always special when we can be a part of someone's first experience, and we're delighted that our guidance and staff made it a memorable one for both of you. Thank you for choosing St Leonard's to be a part of your adventure, and we hope to see you again for more unforgettable experiences in the future!

Fabulous!

Mary_R, Jan 2024

Lovely ride and interesting ruins. Rodolfo and his wife Carla are absolutely wonderful—so smart and down to earth. They made everyone feel safe and comfortable on the horses. He’s a fabulous tour guide. So knowledgeable and personable. If you want to support a small business, please go with them. You’ll have a wonderful time.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you so much for such kind words Mary! It was wonderful having you and little Joe ride with us!! At St Leonard's we try to make each tour as personable as possible for everyone. We are so glad you had a great day with Rodolfo. He is one of our lead guides and we are so happy to have him fully onboard with us going forward. Thank you once again and we look forward to having you join us again some day.

Above and beyond

Colleen_J, Dec 2023

We originally were supposed to just horseback ride, but when we got picked up we voiced how a different cube tubing experience was canceled and we were upset about it. They instantly changed our day around and allowed us to horseback ride, Xunantunich AND tubing. Carla was amazing and so knowledgeable. Recommend this 10/10

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thank you for your kind words. They are really appreciated. It's fantastic to hear how flexible and accommodating your experience with us turned out to be! We're thrilled that despite the initial change in plans, Carla and the St Leonard's team swiftly reorganized your day, allowing you to enjoy not just horseback riding but also the Xunantunich exploration and tubing. Carla's expertise and dedication truly shine through in ensuring you had a memorable and enriching experience. Thank you for your recommendation and your perfect rating – it means the world to us!

Must do when visiting San Ignacio!!!

Ramin_M, Apr 2023

10/10 experience. Rod and Carla were awesome. As well as Miguel. The horses were great. The trek was awesome and beautiful. The ruins were superb. Very informative. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, May 2023

Thank you for writing a review Ramin. It was great having you and your lovely wife join us on tour up to Xunantunich. Thank you for sharing your joie de vivre with all of us and smiling despite the heat!! Thank you once again and we look forward to meeting you both again some day.

Incredible experienceWe

Cassandra_T, Apr 2023

We had the best time. We learn a tremendous amount from our guide Eleo and loved the education in the Mayan culture. The ride though farm land, and along the river was scenic and a great way to see the countryside. We saw monkeys and tucans too. Highly recommend the ride.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

We are very grateful for your feedback. We are so glad you enjoyed your ride to the Mayan site of Xunantunich and enjoyed seeing all the wildlife. We look forward to having you join us again some day.

This is the one

Matthew_F, Mar 2023

Nothing short of amazing! Would wholeheartedly recommend. Helped that we had minimal horse experience.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for taking time to write a review. We really appreciate hearing from you.

Great day

Jill_h, Mar 2023

We had a great day and our guide cara was really patient and knowledgeable We would recommend this tour as you get 2 experiences

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for writing a review. We are so glad you had a great day with Carla and the horses visiting Xunantunich. Carla is indeed patient and has a passion for sharing her love of the outdoors with everyone.

Fantastic

Tom_O, Mar 2023

This was a fantastic day, the horses were well trained, and the guide very knowledgeable, and an all round funny guy.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

We are so happy you had a fantastic day with St Leonard's riding to Xunantunich. We are all so glad when everyone has a great ride and we really appreciate your review.

Excellent

Gregory_G, Dec 2022

Great tour guide, very knowledgeable. Right amount of time for the tour. The horses were very friendly.

Response from Host, Dec 2022

Your excellent review of your Xunantunich riding experience with us makes us GREAT - you make our team proud and encourages us to keep sharing what we love. Indeed, you all make us GREAT.Thank you.

Amazing time

christinaismith, Jun 2022

Ellio and Miguel were the best guides. We loved the horse back riding through the jungle. It was beautiful! The ruins were amazing. Ellio gave our family a private tour of the ruins. We learned so much about the Mayan culture. Thank you for the amazing time and taking good care of us.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Thank you for sharing your experience with other travelers. Miguel and Elio are amazing guides and work hard to ensure you have a memorable day. We are so glad you had a wonderful day and we look forward to having you join us again.

Amazing horseback ride to Xunantunich Ruins!!

Laura_M, Apr 2022

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Thank you for writing a review! St Leonard's is happy you had a memorable tour. We are glad you were able to see some of the wildlife and enjoy a great day at Xunantunich. Our guides very hard to give everyone the best service possible. Thank you once again for your kind words

Very very good

Dean_S, Apr 2022

Absolutely amazing. Ellio was an exceptional guide - very knowledgeable and personable. We felt like we got a lot more out of the trip than we paid for.

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Thank you for writing a review. We are very grateful that you chose to go horse riding to Xunantunich with St Leonard's tours and that you had a great day with the super personable Elio. We look forward to having you join us again some day.

Awesome

Kevin_P, Feb 2022

We had an amazing time with Elio! The horses and scenery was great and the site was beautiful! Highly recommended.

Response from Host, Feb 2022

Thank you for taking time to write a review. St Leonard's really appreciates your feedback and we are so happy you had an a wonderful day with an amazing guide.

Memorable Experience

Kennitha_W, Sep 2021

The tour guide Alio was amazing!!! The entire trip, from pick up to the end exceeded my expectations. He was very knowledgeable, humorous, and patient. The horse experience to the Mayan ruin was breathtaking.

Response from Host, Sep 2021

Thank you for riding with us. We are very happy to know you had a great experience with us. Thank you and all the best.

PUT THIS on your bucket list!!

Ariel_M, Aug 2021

I don't think you're going beat riding on horseback through Belizean valley for 1 hour to Xunatunich and then get a full education tour of the temples and ruins. THIS WAS INCREDIBLE. It even RAINED and it was still a gorgeous and life-changing experience. Emilio was informative, kind, respectful, funny, friendly and all-around efficient during our tour. This is not something you should pass up if you're going to Belize. Please book through this amazing group of people!!

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Thank you for taking time to write this review. We are so happy you had a great day riding our horses, enjoying the Mayan site of Xunantunich and having a wonderful time with Elio. Elio is indeed an amazing guide and everyone at St Leonard's is happy you had a memorable time with us. Thank you once again and we look forward to having you join us again sometime in the future.

Must Try

Wendy_B, Aug 2021

This tour was awesome. I planned this to be something special for me and my daughter to do as a memorable experience. Our guide Jose was helpful, and knowledgeable and Mrs. Carla very careful about her seating for her horses, which I appreciated. Mark is Carla’s son and kept my daughter engaged and assisted her in the ride. I would highly recommend. The scenery and ride were awesome. Wear long pants, apply sunblock, and bring cash for the venders that are by the roadside. We enjoyed taking pictures at the top and the guides were wonderful in making this very enjoyable and entertaining.

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Thank you for your feedback. It's great to hear you and your daughter had a great time riding with us. Our team is proud to look after your safety and comfort, so you can all enjoy your ride. Thank you for making us part of your memorable experience in Belize. Hope to have you again.

Must Do!

Jennifer_P, Aug 2021

A fantastic trip with patient people for our large group. Our kiddos (9 & 6) were well attended to, and the ride next to the river was peaceful and interesting. This was a slower-paced ride, but great for the beginners in our group. The tour of Xuantunich was amazing - Ellyo (sorry if I spelled it wrong!) was a wealth of information as he has participated in the excavation of the site. He was able to give history along with keep the information fun and relatable for the kids. Highly recommended. Even though you can drive up to the ruins, nothing sets the mood like arriving on horseback.

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Thank you for your great feedback; Happy you enjoyed our gentle ride, the green peaceful trails, the ruins and our guide. Thank you for riding with us, but most important thank you for trusting us with your loved ones. We hope to have you enjoy another of our memorable tours. All the best.

Amazing!

Allison_M, Jun 2021

We had such a good time riding and exploring Xunantunich with Carla. She loves the history and archeology in the ruin. She even knew one of the archeologists working on an excavation so we got to see the artifacts they were finding. The stables were easy to find if you are driving yourself from Sanognacio.

Response from Host, Jun 2021

Truly a great experience to share with you what we love: our country and our people and our history. Thank you for riding with us, our love for what we do gives us the opportunity to meet people who are always eager to share their work with us and our guests. Thank you for letting us lead the way to that special and unique experience - not always planned, but thank you for trusting us.