Climb the Mayan Ruins of Xunantunich

(425 Reviews)
99% Recommended

Pam MacIntyre

Maple Grove, MN
Australia & New Zealand Specialist

New Zealand

In all my years as a Travel Professional, I’ve asked countless people, “What’s on your must-see list?” And without fail, New Zealand is always at the top! Honestly, who wouldn’t want to experience this majestic ...

Mayan Ruins

We knew when visiting Belize that checking out some Mayan ruins was a must. I’d always heard that Xunantunich was one not to miss—and let me tell you, it definitely lived up to the hype. Belize actually has several ruins worth exploring, but this one stood out for a few reasons.


To get to Xunantunich, you’ll need to take a hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River. It’s a fun and unique part of the experience, but here’s a tip: plan this tour early in your trip. If there’s been too much rain, the river can rise high enough that vehicles—and sometimes even the ferry—can’t cross. That means you may not be able to access the site at all.


In our case, we had to walk up the hill, which wasn’t too strenuous. But that’s another reason to go early—the heat ramps up as the day goes on.


Once you arrive, you can choose to explore Xunantunich on your own with just a minimal entrance fee. When my boyfriend saw how inexpensive it was, he regretted not just going that route. But I told him, “Trust me—it’s worth it to have a guide.” And in the end? He admitted it was worth every penny.


Having a guide really elevated the experience. Ours shared fascinating historical details, pointed out the difference between original and restored stonework, and explained how the different areas were used. He even spotted birds and wildlife we would have completely missed. We learned about rulers, battles, trade routes, and ongoing excavation efforts—as of October 2018, only about 20% of the site had been excavated.


And bonus—he took some great photos of us! Knowing the best angles and hidden photo ops definitely has its perks.


If you’re visiting Belize, I highly recommend hiring a guide. It adds so much context and insight that you simply don’t get walking through solo.


I also believe that as Belize grows in popularity, access to climbing the ruins may become more restricted—so if this kind of experience is on your list, I’d say visit sooner rather than later.


A few more Mayan ruins in Belize to consider:



  • El PilarCerros

  • Barton Creek Cave

  • Lubaantun

  • Cahal Pech

  • Altun Ha

  • Lamanai

  • Caracol

  • Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave)


I’d love to chat more and help you plan an unforgettable adventure to Belize!

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