6-Hour Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from Belize with El Castillo

6 Hours Round trip from Belize City Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Cross the majestic Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry
02 Explore Xunantunich, a significant Maya ceremonial center
03 Visit El Castillo, the site's towering pyramid castle
04 Take in sweeping views of Cayo and Guatemala from the top

Travel from Belize to visit the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, an ancient archaeological site perched atop a ridge above the Mopan River, about 70 miles west of Belize City in the Cayo District. Explore Xunantunich, a major ceremonial center from the Classic period, and visit the pyramid castle El Castillo, one of the site's most impressive structures.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Belize, Cayo, Xunantunich

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Xunantunich Ruins and El Castillo Exploration

8:00 am - Pick up from your hotel in Belize and drive to the harbour.
Board a hand-cranked ferry to cross the majestic Mopan River.
Arrive at Xunantunich and begin your sightseeing tour.
Explore this significant ceremonial center, built during the Classic period, which is composed of 6 major plazas, a ball court, and three carved stelae.
Visit the pyramid castle El Castillo, which rises 130 feet above the plaza.
Discover the most notable feature of El Castillo, the reconstructed frieze on the east side of the lower temple.
Climb to the top of this impressive structure and enjoy sweeping views of Cayo to the east and Guatemala to the west.
Have lunch at a local restaurant.
Return to your hotel in Belize.