Xunantunich - The Mayan City Upon a Hill
Tour Times: 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM
Don't Port,
Don't Pay Security
Back-to-Ship
Guarantee
Hassle-free
Cancellation
6 hours (approx.)
Private Tour
Moderate
Overview
On your way to Xunantunich, you'll enjoy beautiful views of Belize city, farm vistas, mangroves, grasslands, pine forests, rain forests, multiple rivers, and the towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. Just before arriving at Xunantunich, you'll ride a hand-cranked ferry that will take you across the Mopan River. Shortly thereafter, you'll arrive at the ancient city on a hill. Xunantunich, Mayan for Stone Woman, was once home to 200,000 Mayans at its peak.
The city consists of six major plazas with more than 25 temples and palaces. You can climb the long staircase to the top of El Castillo, the spectacular 130-foot-tall Mayan temple. On a clear day, the views are spectacular and you can even see well past the Guatemalan border. The namesake of this city is derived from the numerous sightings, dating back to 1892, of a woman dressed in white with glowing eyes who ascends the stairs of El Castillo and disappears into a stone wall.
The site has a wealth of well-preserved friezes, altars, and buildings, as well as an interesting museum that displays stelae. Another highlight of this city is the ball court. The ball game was a central part of the Mayan culture. A heavy rubber ball was passed between players only using their hips, elbows, forearms, and buttocks. During some games, the captain of the winning team was decapitated, which was a great honor. Ball courts are also known for their advanced acoustics.
While you're there, experiment with sounds to find out if this ball court still has the outstanding acoustics it had centuries ago. If you're fascinated by history and Mayan culture, this tour will be an unforgettable experience.
What's Included
-
Round trip transportation from the cruise ship pier or your hotel
-
Visit to Xunantunich ruins
-
A scenic drive/tour to and from the ruins
-
Services of an experienced guide
Considerations
-
Food and drinks are not included
-
Bring cash and/or credit card for any additional purchases on the day
-
Gratuities/Tips are not included in your tour, if you would like to leave a tip, please bring cash
Special Instructions
-
We suggest that you wear a hat and comfortable walking shoes, and bring your camera and insect repellent
-
The scenic ride to Xunantunich is 1.5-2 hours. You will spend approximately 2 hours at Xunantunich
-
Please be aware that the road to Xunantunich is bumpy
-
This tour is not suitable for those with limited mobility. There is a good amount of walking, stair climbing, and uneven terrain
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup and Dropoff at the Cruise Port Included.
Book Now
Please select a date and time for this tour to continue.
Price Info
Xunantunich - The Mayan City Upon a Hill
1 Passengers (USD $ 531.00 Per Person)
USD $ 531.00
2 Passengers (USD $ 267.50 Per Person)
USD $ 535.00
3 Passengers (USD $ 183.00 Per Person)
USD $ 549.00
4 Passengers (USD $ 139.00 Per Person)
USD $ 556.00
5 Passengers (USD $ 147.40 Per Person)
USD $ 737.00
6 Passengers (USD $ 124.17 Per Person)
USD $ 745.00
7 Passengers (USD $ 133.43 Per Person)
USD $ 934.00
8 Passengers (USD $ 118.13 Per Person)
USD $ 945.00
Tour added successfully
POPULAR DESTINATIONS
- Destinations
- Tours & Packages
- Travel Agents
-
Cart
-
USD
GBP
AUD
EUR
CAD
-
(888) 927-3620
United States -
+44 (0) 800 208 8722
United Kingdom
Your Currency
Contact Us
Log in to Venture Ashore
Great Experiences Await!
Forgot your password?
Back-to-Ship Guarantee
Guaranteed return to ship on transportation included excursions. See full terms.
Don't Port, Don't Pay Security
Ship itinerary change? If this port is skipped, you don’t pay. Zero hassle, zero risk.
Create a new account
You'll zip through it!
Email *
Confirm Email *
Password *
Confirm Password *
First Name *
Last Name *