The Distance Between Xunantunich And Belize City: A Journey Through History And Culture

Xunantunich is an ancient Mayan archaeological site located in western Belize, about 70 miles (110 km) west of Belize City, in the Cayo District. The distance between Belize City and Xunantunich is 110 km, with a road distance of 122.3 km. The drive from Belize City to Xunantunich takes approximately 2.5 hours and can be done via rental car or tour bus.

The distance between Belize City and Xunantunich is 110km

If you're looking for a place to stay near Xunantunich, San Ignacio is a great option. It's about 30 minutes' drive away and offers hotels and vacation properties. Plus, it provides quick access to the Mayan ruins.

There are a few transport options available to cover the distance between Belize City and Xunantunich. You can drive, take a bus, or book a tour. The fastest way to get there is by car, taking about 1 hour and 50 minutes. The bus is a more affordable option, with tickets ranging from €3 to €17, but it will take around 3 to 4 hours.

If you want a more organised experience, booking a tour is a great choice. Tour prices vary, but they usually include transportation, a guide, and sometimes even meals. Keep in mind that tours often involve groups, so you'll need to be comfortable with that.

When planning your trip to Xunantunich, it's important to note that part of the adventure is crossing the Mopan River. You'll need to use the Xunantunich Hand Cranked River Ferry, which is a fun and unique experience. It's customary to tip the workers, so make sure you have some cash on hand.

Xunantunich, an Ancient Maya archaeological site, is located in western Belize, atop a ridge above the Mopan River. It served as a Maya civic ceremonial centre during the Late and Terminal Classic periods. The site is broken up into four sections – Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D, with Group A being the most significant to the people.

The core of Xunantunich occupies about one square mile (2.6 km2) and consists of six plazas surrounded by over 26 temples and palaces. One of its well-known structures is the pyramid "El Castillo", which is the second-tallest building in Belize.

So, whether you choose to drive, take the bus, or join a tour, the distance between Belize City and Xunantunich is easily manageable, and the journey is definitely worth it to explore this fascinating ancient site.

It takes 1 hour and 50 minutes to drive from Belize City to Xunantunich

The journey from Belize City to Xunantunich is an adventure in itself. The road takes you through the beautiful hills of the Maya Mountains, and you'll get to venture through the Twin Towns of San Ignacio and Elena. As you get closer to Xunantunich, you'll need to cross the Mopan River. The best way to do this is by using the Xunantunich Hand Cranked River Ferry. This small ferry can carry cars, and it only takes a few minutes to get across.

If you're travelling from Belize City to Xunantunich, it's worth noting that the archaeological site is not the only attraction in the area. There are plenty of other things to see and do nearby, including:

• Exploring the Belize Botanic Gardens, with its 45 acres of native and exotic plants.
• Visiting the Elijio Panti National Park, which covers over 13,000 acres of mountainous terrain, waterfalls, natural pools, and an extensive cave system.
• Seeing Big Rock Falls, a 150-foot waterfall on the Privassion River.
• Checking out the Cultural Triangle Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park, a multidisciplinary project involving archaeologists, architects, and biologists, located in Peten, Guatemala.

So, if you're planning a trip to Xunantunich, make sure you allow enough time to enjoy the journey and explore the surrounding area – there's a lot more to discover beyond the ancient Maya ruins!

The cheapest way to get from Belize City to Xunantunich is by bus

The distance between Belize City and Xunantunich is 110 km. The road distance is 122.3 km. The cheapest way to get from Belize City to Xunantunich is by bus, which takes 3 hours and costs €6. The bus from Belize City to Benque Viejo del Carmen takes 3 hours, including transfers, and departs five times a day. Belize City to Xunantunich bus services are operated by Westline and depart from Belize City station. The journey arrives at Benque Viejo del Carmen station.

If you are looking for a place to stay near Xunantunich, there are 84+ hotels available, with prices starting at €12 per night.

To get to Xunantunich, you will need to take a bus to Benque Viejo del Carmen and then another bus to Xunantunich. The bus from Belize City to Benque Viejo del Carmen takes approximately 3 hours. From there, you can take another bus to Xunantunich, which will take an additional 45 minutes to an hour. The total journey time for the bus trip is approximately 4 hours.

The fastest way to get from Belize City to Xunantunich is to drive, which takes 1 hour and 50 minutes and costs €23-€35. However, if you are looking for the cheapest option, the bus is the best choice.

If you are looking for a more scenic route, you can also drive yourself to Xunantunich. You will need to cross the Mopan River using the Xunantunich Hand Cranked River Ferry. The ferry takes just a few minutes and is quite fun, as it is hand-cranked by 2-3 people. It is customary to tip the workers, with a $10 tip being appropriate.

The fastest way to get from Belize City to Xunantunich is by car

If you're driving yourself, you can rent a car in Belize City and make your way west to Xunantunich. The roads are mostly fine, with a mix of paved and dirt roads. Be aware that some roads can be bumpy and full of potholes, especially in more remote areas.

Part of the adventure of visiting Xunantunich is crossing the Mopan River. To get across, you'll need to use the Xunantunich Hand Cranked River Ferry. It's a unique experience where you drive your car onto the ferry, operated by 2-3 people, and they'll take you across the river in just a few minutes. It's customary to tip the workers around $10.

When planning your trip, consider staying in San Ignacio, the largest city near Xunantunich. It's about a 30-minute drive from the ruins and offers hotels and vacation properties.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, there is a direct bus from Belize City to Xunantunich. The bus journey takes approximately 3 hours and costs between €3 and €17.

Xunantunich is an ancient Maya archaeological site

Xunantunich served as a Maya civic ceremonial centre to the Belize Valley region in the Late and Terminal Classic periods. During this time, the region was at its peak, with nearly 200,000 people living in the Belize Valley. The site's name means "Maiden of the Rock" or "Stone Lady" in the Maya languages Mopan and Yucatec, combining "Xunaan" or "noble lady" with "Tuunich" or "stone for sculpture".

Xunantunich is the tallest Mayan ruins site in Belize and the second-tallest structure in the country, at 130 feet (40 m) tall. The site consists of a series of six plazas surrounded by more than 26 temples and palaces, with a core of around one square mile (2.6 km2). One of its better-known structures is the pyramid "El Castillo", which is the second-largest building in Belize. El Castillo is believed to have been used as a shrine, dwelling, and meeting place for the elite rulers of the city.

The history of excavations at Xunantunich began in the mid-1890s with Thomas Gann, a British medical officer and district commissioner of Cayo, British Honduras. Gann's successor, Sir J. Eric S. Thompson, established the region's first ceramic chronology. Later, in 1959-60, archaeologist Euan MacKie carried out several months of excavation at the site, discovering evidence of a sudden disaster that marked the end of the Classic period occupation, likely an earthquake.

Xunantunich is a well-preserved ancient Maya site, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural and historical past of Belize.

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