Step back in time to the powerful peak of the ancient Mayan civilization with this guided 3-hour tour of the Xunantunich ruins. Let your imagination run wild as you explore the temples, plazas, and royal palaces of the famed archaeological site by foot. From the top of the imposing El Castillo pyramid, take in panoramic views of the surrounding Belize River Valley and the ancient city below. Round-trip transport from your San Ignacio hotel is included.

Tour the archeological ruins of Xunantunich with a knowledgeable guide
Visit six plazas and dozens of temples as you learn about the Maya
Climb El Castillo pyramid and enjoy exceptional views from the summit
Round-trip hotel transport by comfortable coach included

What's Included

Local guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off from within San Ignacio Town limits

Gratuities
Hotel pick up and Drop off outside San Ignacio Town limits

Meeting And Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

6 Far W St
6 Far W St, San Ignacio, Belize
Ground floor of Elviras Building by Ervas Restaurant

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

We provide complimentary pick up for hotels located within town limits, for hotels outside of town, we can arrange pick up at a small surcharge

What To Expect

Discover the fascinating history of Xunantunich, the ancient Mayan city that once was home to a population of up to 10,000 people. Get picked up at your San Ignacio hotel for the 15-minute drive to the site entrance. There your tour vehicle will be transported across the mellow Mopan River on a traditional hand-cranked ferry. Be on the lookout for iguanas and bats that make their home on the riverbank.

Once inside the site, you'll be shuttled up to the excavated city, which was strategically built atop a plateau for defensive views of the surrounding valley. Stop at the visitor center for a brief overview of Xunantunich. Over the next two hours, you'll explore the archaeological site by foot, learning about the daily life and ceremonial practices of its inhabitants.

The ruins exhibit the complex social structure of the Mayans, with residential palaces, civic structures, and a ball court, all organized around a series of plazas. Impossible to miss is the impressive El Castillo temple that rises 130 feet (40 meters) above the central plaza. Towering over the treetops of the surrounding jungle, it is one of the tallest buildings in all of Belize. Climb up a series of stone staircases and through hollow chambers to the top of the temple for stunning 360-degree views of the Belize River Valley. You can even see into neighboring Guatemala. Plus the call of resident birds and howler monkeys provides an exotic soundtrack to your exploration.

After touring the ruins, rest your feet and relax over a traditional Belizean lunch at a local restaurant. You will then be dropped off back at your San Ignacio hotel.

Xunantunich

Travel back in time and experience what life was like in the city of Xunantunich, one of Belize’s most popular Mayan sites. This tour from San Ignacio takes you to San Jose Succotz, a Maya-Mestizo village located close to the Western Border and delivers you on an old-fashioned, hand-cranked ferryboat to the magnificent ruins deep in the Belizean rainforest. Admire astronomical carvings at El Castillo (The Castle) and sweeping views of the Belize River Valley and neighboring Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala once you’ve climbed the steep pyramid steps to the top! Hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio Town are included.

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
It is recommended you wear comfortable shoes and clothing
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
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible

Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Most travellers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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 a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Traveller Tips

I recommend this for individuals or groups that want to understand centuries old Mayan culture in Belize but don't want to go on the extensive hike experienced at location as Tikal.

Reviews

5.0

10 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-8 of 10 reviews

Great tour and refreshing float

KerrBacchus, Feb 2023

We had a great tour of the Xunantunich grounds. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, personable, and great about pointing out wildlife. Plus lunch was delicious! Tubing on a hot day after Xunantunich was refreshing and peaceful. I had a little trouble keeping up with the other two on the water and I wish the guide had waited for me a bit more, but he was usually always in sight at least. A very good experience over all.

Excellent!

Chelsey_G, Feb 2022

Eduardo was an excellent guide and had so much knowledge of the site. The ruins and history are so interesting. Highly recommend!

Amazing

Marc_N, Feb 2022

The tour guide was very knowledgeable and made our experience great. We would highly recommend this ancient mayan tour to anyone heading to Belize

A great guided tour

Giorgia_C, Dec 2021

Great trip, our guide was very knowledgeable, we were picked up and dropped off on time, the site is beautiful. Would definitely recommend!

Amazing!

ErikaMOse_O, Nov 2021

We had a great time with Miguel! He was very knowledgeable about the ruins, and we would definitely recommend him to anyone who is looking to do this tour! We had two tours with this company, and both were fantastic.

Incredible and informative

Lauren_S, Aug 2021

Wow. Leo was the best guide we could have hoped for. So informative and patient with a good sense of humor. If you want someone who really knows their Mayan history and the history of Belize stemming back to 400 BC, ask for Leo!

Great time

mjennywporter, Feb 2020

Tour guide was friendly and very informative. He seemed as interested in history as we are and happy to be there. After the tour he gaves us drinks and snacks and allowed us to stop by a road side shop. Ruins were breath taking. Loved the expirience!

A Great Opportunity

Ruth A, Jan 2020

This was a great opportunity for us to learn about Mayan culture within Belize. The guide formerly worked at the site and he was very knowledgeable about the archaeology of the site. The structures were not as high as Tikal and it was more compact. I recommend this for individuals or groups that want to understand centuries old Mayan culture in Belize but don't want to go on the extensive hike experienced at location as Tikal. There are also accessibility paths to scaling the structures.