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Xunantunich

Mayan Temple Adventures

Xunantunich Temple

Xunantunich - Read More
Description:  Xunantunich is located about 80 miles west of Belize City, in the Cayo District.  Xunantunich is located atop a ridge, above the Mopan river, within sight of the Guatemala border.    In the Mayan language, Xunantunich means, “Stone Woman”.  Xunantunich was the first excavated Mayan site in Belize to be opened to the public.  Though it is smaller in size, compared to other Mayan sites, it has some of the most beautiful friezes ever to be seen.  Because of this and its beautiful park like surroundings, it has become a popular site for many destination weddings portraits.

Xunantunich is about a 1.5 hour drive from Belize City, and is one of the easiest Mayan ruin sites to access.  Getting there is half the fun, with a hand-cranked cable ferry taking you (and vehicles) across the Mopan River.  A short drive/walk up a hill and you will soon be greeted by the remnants of a city, which once stood even in the face of decline.  Be sure to take your time admiring the beautiful artwork of the friezes, along the tallest main temple (“El Castillo”) building.  These friezes were excavated in 1993, and since then, have been covered by a fiberglass replica (placed over the original friezes), to protect them. 
 
The core of Xunantunich occupies about 300 square miles, consisting of a series of six plazas, surrounded by more than 26 temples and palaces.  The site primarily focuses on Plaza A, the dominant or main temple (El Castillo), with a height of 130 feet, and is the second tallest structure in Belize (after the temple at Caracol).  Climb to the top of El Castillo and enjoy a 360-degree view of the Belizean jungle, across the border into Guatemala. 

As the Mayan empire began to crumble across the Yucatan, Xunantunich’s power grew.    Then for some unknown reason (perhaps a sudden catastrophic event, like an earthquake), the city was completely deserted.

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Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

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     Your journey takes you to the Belize mainland where you will visit the Xuantunich Mayan Ruins.   This tour is typically coupled with another half day tour, making this mainland activity a full-day tour.
     Take the Western highway for approximately 70 miles, until you reach Santa Elena town. Take the road that leads to Succotz village which is just before reaching Benque Viejo del Carmen. At this point you should see a ferry on the right hand side of the road and a sign for the Maya temple. You cross the ferry free of charge and Xunantunich is a three minute drive from there. Check out our full article devoted to  Xunantunich Mayan Ruins.
     Xunantunich means “maiden of the rock” or “stone woman” in Maya, and is situated on the Western Highway across the river from the village of San Jose Succotz. It can be reached by ferry daily between 8 am and 5 pm.
     This site is less than one mile from some lovely rapids of the Mopan River and provides an impressive view of the entire river valley. Xunantunich is a Classic Period ceremonial center. The site core occupies only 300 square meters but the periphery covers several square kilometers On the main palace building is an astronomical carved frieze.
     El Castillo tops off the peak at XunantunichThe highest ruin is 133 feet tall, the second tallest temple in all of Belize. Well-preserved sun god masks decorate one side of the structure. Six major plazas, more than 25 temples and palaces and a new museum are just some of the reasons why Xunantunich is one of the most visited sites.
    The Belize Tourism Development Project has invested over half a million dollars to fully excavate the site and make it more visitor-friendly.

PHOTO GALLERY 


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  • HOME
  • BOOK NOW
  • RATES
  • ACCOMMODATIONS
  • ABOUT US
    • Reviews & Testimonials
    • The Property
    • The Neighborhood
    • Blog - Belize Adventure
    • Blog - 2 Boys in Belize
    • FAQ
  • ABOUT BELIZE
    • Where is Belize?
    • Traveling to Belize >
      • International Flights & Airlines
      • Belize Visas & Immigration
      • Arriving in Belize
      • Belize Land Borders
      • Getting to the Island
      • Departing Belize
      • What to Bring
      • How To Save Money
    • Best Time to Visit
    • Know Before You Go
    • Is Belize Safe?
    • Belize by the Month
    • Belize Festivals >
      • Food Festivals
      • Chocolate Festival
      • Lobster Festival
      • Mango Festival
      • Taco Festival
    • Belize Maps
    • Belize History
    • Ambergris Caye
    • San Pedro
  • ADVENTURES
    • Where to Eat
    • Things to Do
    • Diving >
      • Diving in Belize
      • Diving Vacations
      • Diving Blue Hole
      • Diving Turneffe Atoll
      • Diving Barrier Reef
      • Diving Basil Jones
      • Night Diving
    • Snorkeling >
      • Snorkel in Belize
      • Snorkeling Vacations
      • Hol Chan Marine
      • Shark Ray Alley
      • Mexico Rocks & Tres Cocos
      • Coral Gardens
      • Blue Hole Snorkeling
      • Bachalar Chico Marine
    • Fishing >
      • Fishing in Belize
      • Fishing Vacations
      • Deep Sea Fishing
      • Reef Fishing
      • Flat Fishing
      • Night Fishing
      • Robles Fishing, Snorkel & Beach BBQ
      • Fishing Charters
    • Sailing >
      • Sailing in Belize
      • Sailing Vacations
      • Day Sail to Caye Caulker
      • Manatee Watch Snorkel Goff Caye
      • Sail Around the Island
      • Sunset Sail
      • Sunset Houseboat
      • Sunset Dinner Cruise
      • Sunset Houseboat-Tapas
      • Island Hopping
      • Private Catamaran Charters
    • Jungle >
      • Jungles in Belize
      • Jungle Vacations
      • Bird Watching
      • Birds of Belize
      • Belize Annual Bird Festival
      • Zip Lining
      • Jungle Trek
      • Antelope Falls Rappelling
      • ATV Jungle Bikes
      • Horseback Riding
      • Belize Zoo
      • Baboon Santuary
    • Caves >
      • Caving in Belize
      • Caving Vacations
      • ATM Cave
      • Black Hole Cave Rappelling
      • Cave Tubing
      • Cave Canoeing
      • Cave Waterfall Rappellilng
      • Cave Kayaking
      • Lost World Expedition
      • River Cave Expedition
      • 7 Miles of Caves
    • Mayan Temples >
      • Temples in Belize
      • Mayan Vacations
      • Altun Ha Ruins
      • Cahal Pech Ruins
      • Caracol Ruins
      • Cerros Maya Ruins
      • Lamanai Mayan Ruins
      • Lubaantun Site
      • Nim Li Punit Ruins
      • Santa Rita Mayan Ruins
      • Tikal (Guatamala)
      • Xunantunich
    • Gallery >
      • Jungle Zip Lining
      • ATM Cave
      • Lamanai Mayan Ruins
      • Belize Zoo
      • Hol Chan-Shark Ray
      • Cave Tubing
      • Xunantunich
  • CONTACT US