Xunantunich - The Mayan City Upon a Hill

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Tour Times: 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM

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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup and Dropoff at the Cruise Port Included

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

Sightseeing/City Tour Archaeological/Cultural

Tour Times: 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM

Hassle-free

Cancellation

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup and Dropoff at the Cruise Port Included

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Xunantunich - The Mayan City Upon a Hill

Overview

What's Included

Considerations

Special Instructions

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