Exploring the Xunantunich Maya Ruins in Belize
The ancient Maya site of Xunantunich near San Ignacio, Belize is one of the most important Maya ruins in Belize. With its huge, picturesque pyramid and archaeological wonders, the Xunantunich Maya ruins are a top place to visit in Belize.
About Xunantunich
The Maya ruins of Xunantunich (pronounced shoo-nan-too-nitch) is a large archaeological site and was once a major ceremonial site and vibrant society.
The ancient city rose and declined between AD 700 to 1000, and while many other cities in the region were in decline during this period, Xunantunich was thriving.
The site was left largely untouched until the first modern explorations took place in the 1890s by amateur archeologist Thomas Gann. His successor, Sir J. Eric S. Thompson, established the region’s first ceramic chronology during his work at the site.
It was around this same time that the ancient site got its modern name. Xunantunich is a Mayan word meaning “stone woman”. The name comes from the specter of a woman dressed in white that some claim to have seen standing at the opening atop the tallest pyramid El Castillo. I’m all for a good ghost story, but when you visit, take a look at that opening and you can see the white stone at the back — perhaps too many long, hot days in the Belizean jungle and the lighting are playing tricks on people’s minds?
Major excavation of the site began in the 1959-1960 by a Cambridge team led by Euan MacKie. This excavation was able to infer that some of the buildings had been shattered by a sudden disaster, like an earthquake, leading to the decline of the city.
Getting to Xunantunich: Crossing the Mopan River
Xunantunich is located in western Belize, about 70 miles west of Belize City and right near the border to Guatemala, in the Maya village of San Jose Succotz, Belize.
There are plenty of guided tours that will take to to Xunantunich if you don’t want to make the journey on your own. We took a tour organized by our resort and had a wonderful guide to walk us through the site.
To get to the ruins, you have to cross the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry. If you’re crossing in a vehicle, you’ll have to exit the vehicle and stand on the ferry as it goes across, which is much better for experiencing the ferry anyway. The ferry is free to ride and is the only way across the river here.
Then you drive up a tall ridge until you make it to the ticket desk and visitor center. The ancient Maya site stretched out over this whole area, but you’ll need to walk up a steep hill before coming to the uncovered stone structures.
Top Xunantunich Tours
- Xunantunich and Cave Tubing Combo Tour from San Ignacio
- Xunantunich Riding Tour
- Mayan Ruins of Xunantunich Tour from San Ignacio
Exploring the Xunantunich Maya Ruins
Until you’ve scaled the large hill, you’d never know there was a Maya city hidden within this jungle.
The site sits on a flattened ridge that holds six major plazas and more than 25 structures. You can get up close to, touch, and climb many of the structures. There are clear roped off areas and signage telling you where you cannot climb or touch.
The site also has a small visitor center with a museum that gives you a closer look at some of the monuments and artefacts uncovered here.
Climbing the Pyramids at Xunantunich
You can climb to the top of El Castillo, the tallest structure on the site as well as the second tallest structure in Belize, and the smaller A-1 structure in the middle of the main plaza.
El Castillo is a 130-foot tall pyramid that served as dwelling, shrine, and administrative building for the elite rulers of the city. The large structure absolutely dwarfs anyone standing next to it.
You’ll ascend El Castillo first by the front stairs then by the side on the east to reach the very top. At the top of the east and west sides are fiberglass replicas of the carved friezes that adorned the structure. Some of the figures on the east side include a representation of the sun god flanked by the moon and Venus.
From the top of El Castillo, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the Maya ruins, Belize, and Guatemala.
Take some time to enjoy the views after your long, hard climb. It’s also a great spot for a photo opp.
You’ll then descend the pyramid on the west side. This side gives another great view of the massiveness of the structure.
More Belize Travel Tips
- Romantic Belize Honeymoon Guide: 8 Days in Paradise
- What to Pack for Your Belize Vacation
- Cave Tubing and Ziplining in the Belize Jungle
- Where to Stay in Belize: Coco Plum Island Resort
Where to Stay in Belize
Find the perfect place to rest your head on your Belize vacation!
- Where We Stayed: Coco Plum Island Resort
- Top Hotel: The Lodge at Chaa Creek
- Great Value: Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club
- Unique Stay: Little Harvest Private Island
Ready to travel to Belize? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find accommodation: You can find top hotels and resorts in Belize using Booking.com.
- Book your tours: Make the most of your honeymoon by booking amazing tours in Belize.
- Get packing: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need with my packing list resources.
Cheers!
Paige
Have you climbed the Xunantunich Maya ruins in Belize? Let me know about your trip in the comments!
Mayan ruins have always been on our radar – from Palenque to Uxmal to Tikal – so this post was a joy to read. And love that you shared how the name Xunantunich comes from the specter of a woman dressed in white – timely for an October read!
I love Maya ruins! I haven’t visited the ones you’ve mentioned yet, though.
Wow these ruins look amazing! I visited some in Mexico a decade ago but you couldn’t really climb on them. It’d be so cool to walk up those steps!
It was very cool, but a little nerve-wracking since the steps were so small and steep! The view was worth it, though!
It is so nice that you can still climb the pyramids here. I have been to many sites in Mexico where they are now closed due to destructive tourists!
I’ve been pretty lucky that I’ve been able to climb pyramids both in Belize and in Mexico. It’s such a shame that some people feel the need to destroy beautiful things.
Wow it looks beautiful here. I do not think this would be a trip I would want to do on my own either so I would probably chose the guided tour option like you did. This seems like the perfect day trip to see some beautiful views and get some good exercise in! Thanks for sharing.
Taking the trip with a tour group definitely makes things easier and less stressful!