Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

This tour features a trip to Xunantunich, "Maiden of the Rock". This Mayan site was home to a city known for making strides in development. Even as other Mayan cities began to decline, Xunantunich still continued to thrive. Many small villages can be seen along the way and the nation's capital, Belmopan and the town of San Ignacio. Traveling West takes you a mile away from the Guatemalan border after which we will cross the Mopan River in a hand cranked ferry. The tour of Xunantunich, or the Stone Maiden begins! Xunantunich is home to the second highest man made structure in the country of Belize. Preserved for over 1400 years, El Castillo has been only partially excavated and explored. Climbing to the top allows you to view the West Friese, an example of the skill Mayan artisans had at this site. After hiking to the top of the structures at this site, you'll be able to get great panoramic views of the site that contains a set of six plazas surrounded by more than twenty-five​ temples and palaces. The site also includes an ancient Mayan ball court. Both the climb to the top and the descent must be done cautiously, but the experience atop these tall Mayan structures are well worth the effort.