Thinking of visiting Xunantunich? Despite being one of Belize’s most famous Maya sites, it’s surprisingly peaceful — no massive crowds, no overbuilt tourism.
Just a hand-cranked ferry, a short forested walk, and incredible views from the top of an ancient pyramid. Xunantunich is easy to reach by bus or car, and the trip itself is part of the experience.
As a local who’s lived in San Ignacio, I highly recommend adding it to your Belize itinerary — and if you have time, don’t miss its underrated little sibling, Cahal Pech.
Here’s everything you need to know for your visit.
Visitor Essentials
- Location
- San Jose Succotz
- Opening Hours
- 8AM–5PM
- Ferry Hours
- 7:30AM–4PM
- Entrance Fee
- $12.50 USD
- Recommended Time
- 2 Hours
- Essentials
- Water, sunblock, comfortable shoes
- Tour Guide
- Not mandatory, available at entrance for $30.00 USD
- Amenities
- Free parking, restroom facilities, souvenir shop
How To Say Xunantunich
Before we dive in, this is how you say Xunantunich based on phonetics of the Mayan language.
Xunantunich Pronunciation
SHOO NAN TUN NITCH
San Ignacio To Xunantunich
The fastest and cheapest way to get to Xunantunich is by shared taxi from San Ignacio. It's a scenic 20-minute drive towards San Jose Succotz followed by a ferry river crossing and a short one-mile hike to the site entrance. You can also get there by bus and car rental.
Choose your transport: 👇
🚕 By shared taxi $2.50 USD
- From San Ignacio, take a shared taxi (colectivo) in front of Martha's Guesthouse crossroads. Ensure the taxi is a shared taxi or they will charge regular prices. Taxis have green license plates.
- Before entering the taxi, tell the driver you are going to Xunantunich since this goes towards the Guatemalan Border.
- Upon arrival, you'll see the big brown sign labeled Xunantunich Archeological Reserve along with the ferry that looks like a floating house.
- The shared taxi only drops you off at the ferry zone so from here, wait for the ferry and cross which takes 1-2 minutes tops.
- After crossing, you will have to hike for 1 mile (1.6km) uphill which can be challenging on hot days.
- The entrance which has a parking lot & bathroom will be at the end of the short hike where you can buy your ticket at the booth.
- Immediately after the booth you will see the Visitor Center to your left where you can learn about the ruin a bit more or keep walking to finally arrive at the Mayan Ruin.
🚌 By bus $1.25 USD
- Take a bus from San Ignacio to Xunantunich by starting at C.W.C Bus Stop found beside the Cayo Welcome Center. Check the San Ignacio bus schedule for more details.
- Wait for a bus labeled as BENQUE, go inside the bus and tell the driver you are stopping at Xunantunich. After being seated, the conductor will charge you.
- Upon arrival, you'll see the big brown sign labeled Xunantunich Archeological Reserve.
- The bus only drops you off at the ferry zone so from here, wait for the ferry and cross which takes 1-2 minutes tops.
- After crossing, you will have to hike for 1 mile (1.6km) uphill which can be challenging on hot days.
- The entrance which has a parking lot & bathroom will be at the end of the short hike where you can buy your ticket at the booth.
- Immediately after the booth you will see the Visitor Center to your left where you can learn about the ruin a bit more or keep walking to finally arrive at the Mayan Ruin.
🚗 By car (No Extra Cost)
- Driving to Xunantunich is easy. First, head towards San Jose Succotz from San Ignacio.
- Stop upon seeing the Xunantunich Archeological Reserve sign where you can also see the small ferry.
- Park your car and wait for instructions from the ferry operators to drive onto ferry.
- The ferry transfers up to four cars in one trip and takes a couple of minutes to transfer you across the river. You will have to exit the vehicle after boarding the ferry.
- After leaving the ferry and driving up to the actual park entrance where you can buy your ticket at the booth. Free parking is available here along with a bathroom on site.
- Immediately after the booth you will see the Visitor Center to your left where you can learn about the ruin a bit more or keep walking to finally arrive at the Mayan Ruin.
Brief History Of Xunantunich
Xunantunich was a Ceremonial center that reached its peak between 600 & 890 AD. While it's not the largest site in Belize, it's very impressive especially since you can still clip the tallest temple, El Castillo, which stands at 130 feet (40m).
The name "Xunantunich" means "Stone Maiden in Yucatec Maya. There's a legend that says that a glowing woman dressed in white appeared at the site and disappeared into the stone walls of the temple.
Funnily enough, as a Belizean, I've heard this story told many times, and it was almost always a drunk man seeing the same woman figure late at night while returning home.
Archeologist believe around 7,000 to 10,000 people lived in the area surrounding Xunantunich. This was relatively small in comparison with the largest Mayan Ruin, Caracol, which peaked at 10 times that amount.
What To Expect
- 🚘 Scenic Drive: If you're driving there, it includes a 30-minute drive that can be fun for families. Getting there by bus or shared taxi can also be a fun cultural experience.
- ⛴️ Xunantunich Ferry: After arriving at the entrance, the next step is to cross the river on a ferry that transfers both vehicles and the passengers. Everyone in the car will be asked to exit the vehicle except the driver.
- 🥾 One-Mile Hike: The third part of the trip which is the one-mile (1.6km) hike is slightly tough since it's uphill but also extremely relaxing and perfect for solo travelers and couples. If you cannot walk without assistance, it would be best to go by car or taxi.
- 🗿 El Castillo Reveal: In my opinion, the best part of the journey is seeing the El Castillo–the second-largest building in Belize–for the first time after climbing the stairs at the entrance of the compound. The temples, grass and background looks slightly unreal.
- 🧭 Exploring & Climbing: Luckily for everyone, all of Xunantunich's plazas and temples can be climbed without restrictions. It can be fascinating to visualize how this civilization once thrived while exploring. A guide can give you much deeper insight of course.
- 👀 Breathtaking View: After all that hiking, the big payoff comes in the form of a stunning view of the entire compound. While at the top, you finally get to feel the fresh air and take a glimpse of the Guatemalan border. You can finally sit down, soak up the sun and enjoy the view.
Xunantunich Ferry
The hand-cranked ferry is the only way to get across the river where the Mayan Ruin is located. The ferry is operated by one or two local workers that manually move the ferry platform using a cabled-wire system. There is no cost to cross the Xunantunich Ferry.
Getting across takes about 1-2 minutes depending on the load. The ferry can hold around four cars. The passengers are asked to exit the vehicle. While on the ferry, one of the members of your group will be asked to sign entry into the reserve.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
Unique Ferry
Getting to the site includes a hand-cranked ferry ride to the Xunantunich access road. This ferry transfers both visitors and vehicles across the river.
Hiking Trail
After crossing the ferry, there is a 30-minute hike or 1 mile (1.5km) trail upwards towards the site which is perfect for bird watching and spotting iguanas.
Stunning View
The highest temple El Castillo is 130ft (40m) tall with a breathtaking 360 view of the compound reaching all the way to the Guatemalan border with Belize.
Xunantunich Insider Tips
- ☀️ Avoid the midday sun: if you enjoy birding, getting there at in the early morning or late evening can increase your chances of spotting birds, iguanas and maybe even howler monkeys. Plus the weather will be much cooler without the harsh midday sun.
- 🪨 Hike the trail: if you're on a car rental and have free time, I highly recommend parking your car and hiking up the one-mile trail. It's perfect for bird watching.
- ⛴️ Hand-crank the ferry: don't be afraid to ask the ferry worker to give you a shot at cranking it.
- 🔎 Consider hiring a guide: there are no informational signs for the temples or plazas, so you might as well be looking at a pile of stones. If history is important to you, hire a guide or check out the Visitor Center.
- 📖 Check the Visitor Center: if you decide to explore the site without a guide, check out the visitor center at the beginning of the path. It has plenty of historical facts and information.
- 🪨 Visit Cahal Pech too: Cahal Pech combines perfectly with Xunantunich for a day trip. Both sites offer a unique experience and are easily accessible from San Ignacio.
Facts About Xunantunich
- 🏯 To date, the temple of El Castillo (The Castle) is the second-largest man-made structure in Belize measuring 130ft (40m).
- 🇬🇹 The site is approximately half a mile (1km) away from the border with Guatemala.
- 🗿 Xunantunich means Stone Maiden. It is said that a maiden appeared one night, more than a century ago, but quickly dissolved into the stone of El Castillo leaving only the name for this ancient city.
- 🌎 Xunantunich was not a large city and had a population of 7,000 to 10,000 people living within a radius of 1.86 miles (3 km) from the site center.
- 💍 It is fairly common to see destination weddings performed at Xunantunich including the entire ceremony.
Where To Eat Nearby
While I've only been to Benny's Kitchen in Benque Viejo Town, these restaurants are highly recommended by my friends, and they all have local dishes at an affordable rate. All these restaurants are within walking distance from the ferry entrance.
Wildlife At Xunantunich
- Iguanas
- Bats
- Spider Monkeys
- Agouti
Xunantunich Tours
There are two main tours available at the site 👇:
Regular Tour
Tour guides can be hired at the entrance before taking the ferry across the river. Prices start at $30.00 USD for a 2-3 hour session for two people. Alternatively, you can book this tour with any tour company in San Ignacio Town. Price excludes transfer.
Horseback Riding Tour
While I'm not sure about the ethics of most horseback riding companies in Belize, this tour is available. It starts at San Jose Succotz and goes to Xunantunich lasting a total of 4-5 hours (1 hour at the site). This tour is needs to be pre-booked.
Xunantunich Vs Cahal Pech
Honestly, I suggest visiting both Mayan Ruins if you have the time. Both are very different. While Xunantunich has a taller ruin "El Castillo" that makes for amazing photos, Cahal pech is much wilder, intimate and fun to walk around. Cahal Pech feels like walking through a labyrinth — a hidden jungle in town.
Day Trip Itinerary Suggestion
Xunantunich & Cahal Pech can both be visited in the same day. I would suggest doing Xunantunich in the morning before midday, have lunch at one of the suggested nearby restaurants and then visit Cahal Pech before 5:00PM when the weather is cooler.
Helpful Information
Final Thoughts
I totally recommend not missing out on Xunantunich. It has no crowds and no gimmicks. It's perfect for solo travelers, those on a budget and especially recommended for families. Plus it's easy to get there from San Ignacio.
If you’re up for more Maya sites nearby, Cahal Pech is close by and well worth it.
Enjoy the day trip and remember to wear sunscreen, bug spray and carry your water bottle.
About Author
Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.
Frequent Questions
Where is Xunantunich located?
Xunantunich is located at San Jose Succotz which is a small village in the Cayo District.
How far is Xunantunich from San Ignacio Town?
Xunantunich is a 30-minute drive from San Ignacio Town.
How much time do you need at Xunantunich?
In general, two hours is sufficient time to explore all plazas, climb all temples and spot any wildlife.
Do I need to hire a tour guide?
No it's not mandatory to hire a guide, but tour guides are available for hire at the entrance of the site before taking the ferry. Prices start at $30.00 USD for two people for a two-hour session.
Can I climb El Castillo at Xunantunich?
As of June 2022, you can climb the tallest structure, El Castillo and all other structures. It was closed down temporarily because of covid.
What's the best time to visit Xunantunich?
Honestly, there is no best time. Xunantunich is good during the dry season and rainy season. Just be careful walking up the ruin when it's raining. Keep in mind that the ruin may experience more traffic if there are tour groups or cruise ship groups.
Can I visit Xunantunich without a car?
Yes, if you're on a budget, you can go to the San Ignacio bus station, take a bus going to Benque, tell the driver you want to stop at Xunantunich.
Am I obligated to hike up to Xunantunich?
Can I drive to Xunantunich?
Yes, the road is paved and there are clear signs marking the entrance of the compound. Just be wary of speed bumps.
Am I obligated to hike up to Xunantunich?
If you're on a car rental or taxi, you can drive up instead of doing the one mile hike uphill after doing the ferry crossing.
Do I need to tip the ferry operator?
No, it is not required. They are paid by the government and the entrance is inclusive of the short ferry transfer.
Can I pay with credit card for my park tickets at the entrance?
No, only cash is accepted.
Resources
- Niche Belize
Xunantunich Information Center
Leave A Comment 👇
Which part of Xunantunich are you excited to explore?