Xunantunich Mayan Temple

It’s an adventure to get there, one that takes youon a hand-cranked ferry down the Belize River. When you arrive at the bank near the site, it takes just a short walk to reach the ruin. Your guide can tell you what little is known about the history of the site, which dates back to 12,000 BC. When you climb the stairs that make up the sides of El Castillo, you’ll get a closer look at the elaborate carvings of gigantic hieroglyphs, which relate to the Maya’s complex astrological beliefs.

The grounds of the ruin are vibrantly green and nicely maintained. Howler monkeys and toucans live in the trees that surround the site – bring binoculars if you’d like to do some bird watching. There’s also a museum on site, where you can learn more about excavations. All together, your tour of Xunantunich will take around two to three hours.

Home to the second largest Mayan pyramid in Belize, Xunantunich is one of the most impressive Mayan sites in Belize. The site is composed of three major ceremonial plazas surrounded by numerous temples, palaces, and house mounds. Xunantunich is located 8 miles (13 km) southwest of San Ignacio on the Western Highway.