Exploring Xunantunich: Travel Tips From Belize City

Getting from Belize City to Xunantunich is a relatively straightforward journey. The fastest way to get there is by car, which takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes and costs between €23 and €35. Alternatively, you can take a bus, which takes around 3 hours and costs between €3 and €17.

The distance between Belize City and Xunantunich is 110 km, with a road distance of 122.3 km. The journey will take you through the beautiful jungle of Belize, and you will even get to cross the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry!

If you are looking for a place to stay near Xunantunich, the largest nearby city is San Ignacio, which is about a 30-minute drive away and offers hotels and vacation properties.

Driving directions from Belize City to Xunantunich

Driving from Belize City to Xunantunich is a journey of around 122 kilometres (70 miles) and takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.

From Belize City, head west on the Western Highway (George Price Highway) towards San Ignacio. This highway passes through several towns, including Hattieville, Georgeville, and Belmopan. The highway will take you all the way to San Ignacio.

Once you reach San Ignacio, continue straight onto the Western Highway (this will be a left turn if you're coming from Belize City). After about 1.5 kilometres, turn right onto the Hummingbird Highway. You'll pass by the towns of Santa Elena and San Jose Succotz.

From San Jose Succotz, you'll need to cross the Mopan River using the Xunantunich Hand Cranked River Ferry. This ferry will take you and your vehicle across the river.

Once you're across the river, continue driving for about 1.6 kilometres until you reach the archaeological site of Xunantunich. The site is located on a natural limestone ridge, and you'll need to travel uphill to reach it.

Please note that some parts of the journey may involve driving on unpaved roads, and the conditions of the roads can vary. It is recommended to check for updates on road conditions before starting your journey.

Public transport options from Belize City to Xunantunich

There are a few options for travelling from Belize City to Xunantunich by public transport. The cheapest option is to take the bus, which costs between €3 and €17. Buses depart from Belize City five times a day and the journey takes around 3 hours.

Another option is to take a shuttle service, such as Tukan Shuttles & Adventures, which offers a guided tour from Belize City to Xunantunich. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide, and entry to Xunantunich. The cost of this tour is $275.00.

If you are looking for a more adventurous way to get to Xunantunich, you can also take a combination of a bus and a hand-cranked ferry. From the Belize City bus station, take a bus to Benque Viejo del Carmen, which is located near the Guatemala border. Tell the ticket taker that you want to go to Xunantunich, and they will charge you accordingly (around $1.50 BZ). After about a 30-minute drive, you will be let off by the ferry. Cross the Mopan River on the ferry, and then it is about a 1-mile uphill walk to the ruins.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a more direct route, you can drive from Belize City to Xunantunich. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes and covers a distance of 122.3 km.

The history of Xunantunich

Xunantunich, meaning "Maiden of the Rock" in the Maya languages Mopan and Yucatec, is an ancient Maya archaeological site in western Belize. The name combines "Xunaan" (noble lady) and "Tuunich" (stone for sculpture). The "Stone Woman" refers to a ghost, dressed completely in white with fire-red glowing eyes, claimed by several people to inhabit the site, beginning in 1892.

Xunantunich is located about 70 miles (110 km) west of Belize City, in the Cayo District, atop a ridge above the Mopan River, within sight of the Guatemala border. It served as a Maya civic ceremonial centre to the Belize Valley region in the Late and Terminal Classic periods (around 200–900). At that time, nearly 200,000 people lived in the Belize Valley.

The first modern explorations of the site were conducted by Thomas Gann in the mid-1890s. Gann moved from Britain and served as the district surgeon and district commissioner of Cayo, starting in 1892. He chose this area due to his interest in Maya archaeology. Gann's successor, Sir J. Eric S. Thompson, took a more methodical approach and established the region's first ceramic chronology.

In 1959–60, the Cambridge Expedition to British Honduras arrived in the colony, and its archaeologist member, Euan MacKie, carried out excavations at Xunantunich. He excavated the upper building on Structure A-11 in Group B and a residential structure, A-15, outside the main complex. MacKie inferred that both buildings had been shattered by a sudden disaster, possibly an earthquake, which marked the end of the Classic period occupation.

Xunantunich is the second tallest structure in Belize, at some 130 feet (40 m) tall. The site is broken up into four sections – Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D, with Group A being central and most significant to the people. The core of the city occupies about one square mile (2.6 km2), consisting of a series of six plazas surrounded by more than 26 temples and palaces.

Xunantunich's history of habitation is relatively short compared to other major Mayan sites. Archaeologists believe that construction of the main buildings began around 800 AD, and the last date officially recorded at Xunantunich (on Stela 9) is 830 AD. Building activity continued into the Early Postclassic period (900-1000 AD), but the pace of growth slowed dramatically. There is evidence to suggest that the inhabitants during this era were smaller groups who moved in after the Mayan residents had abandoned Xunantunich.

The best way to experience Xunantunich

Getting to Xunantunich

First, make your way to the San Ignacio bus station and take a bus to Benque Viejo del Carmen, a town near the Guatemalan border. Tell the ticket taker that your final destination is Xunantunich, and they will charge you accordingly (approximately $1.50 BZ). After about 30 minutes, the bus will let you off near the Xunantunich Hand Cranked River Ferry. From there, it is about a mile-long uphill walk to the ruins.

Exploring Xunantunich

At the entrance, pay the admission fee ($10 BZ for tourists) and continue uphill. It is highly recommended to hire a tour guide to fully appreciate the site. A guide can be arranged in advance or found near the ferry.

Returning from Xunantunich

To return to San Ignacio, walk back down to the ferry and cross the river. Then, flag down a bus going into the city, and the ticket taker will come around to collect payment (approximately $6 BZ). The journey back to San Ignacio takes about 2 hours.

Practical Information

The entire journey from San Ignacio to Xunantunich and back takes about 3 hours, and it is recommended to spend 2-4 hours exploring the site. The site is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, and the ferry operates from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. The best way to get to Xunantunich is by bus, but it is also possible to drive or join a guided tour.

Additional Tips

• Wear good walking shoes, especially if you plan to climb El Castillo.
• Bring sunblock and insect repellent.
• Be prepared for a bit of walking, as the entrance and ferry are about a mile from the site.
• Don't forget to bring cash to tip your tour guide and the ferry workers.

By following this itinerary, you can experience the rich history and culture of Xunantunich while enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

What to do near Xunantunich

There is plenty to do near Xunantunich, an ancient Mayan archaeological site in Belize. Here is a list of things to do and see:

Explore the Ruins

Xunantunich is the tallest Mayan ruins site in Belize, with 6 plazas and 32 structures. The site includes the second-largest man-made structure in Belize, El Castillo, which is Spanish for 'the castle'. Visitors can climb the steep steps to the top of El Castillo, which was used as a shrine, dwelling, and meeting place for the city's elite rulers. From the top, you can see the river valley and into Guatemala.

Visit the Visitor Centre

The visitor centre has a large collection of Mayan artefacts and replicas on display, including replicas of the pok-ta-pok game court and stucco carvings. There is also a small gift shop selling souvenirs.

Take a Tour

A tour guide can give you a deeper insight into the history of the site. A tour is also a great way to get to the site, as it includes transport.

Getting to the Site

Part of the adventure of this site is the journey to get there. From San Ignacio, you can take a shared taxi, bus, or drive yourself. The journey includes a river crossing via the Xunantunich Hand Cranked River Ferry and a short hike towards the site entrance.

Spot Wildlife

Keep an ear out for the howler monkeys, which sound like dinosaurs! You might also spot iguanas and birds.

Visit Cahal Pech

Combine your trip with a visit to Cahal Pech, another archaeological site that combines perfectly with Xunantunich for a day trip.

Frequently asked questions