Xunantunich on Horseback

per person

Duration: Approximately 5 hours

Take a scenic half-day tour on horseback to the impressive Xunantunich Mayan ruins for a double-thrill adventure.

NOTE: Photo of horse ride amidst ruins is for promotional purposes only. Horses are no longer permitted on site, they go as far as the Maya site’s parking lot.

Xunantunich was the first excavated Mayan site in Belize that was opened for the public. Though it is smaller compared to the other Mayan sites, it consists of one of the tallest structures. The huge statue of the Sun God, El Castillo, and the 130-foot tall pyramid are a couple of structures that attract visitors. Xunantunich means “stone Woman” or “Maiden of the rock” in the Yucatec dialect. These names are derived from the image of a woman depicted in one of the paintings.

These ruins represent the period of AD 650- 1000 of Mayan civilization when the people had mastered the art of construction. Residential structures spread over 22 acres were found in this site. It seems Xunantunich was abandoned in AD 900 and was again occupied in post classic period. Castillo, a 40m tall building, is one of the tallest Mayan buildings in Belize. The causeways, ball courts and platform mounds excavated here prove that they were far ahead of their generation.

The three most remarkable segments of Xunantunich are the elite residential structures, the middle class residential structures and the ceremonial center. The six plazas of the city were surrounded by 25 palaces and several temples. Very brutal games were played in the ball court complex where the losers and winners were awarded in a most awkward manner.

Starts: 8:00AM Ends: 1:00PM

Itinerary

Getting There: Your adventure begins at 8:00AM with a pick up at your hotel as you make your way over to the stables where you’ll be briefed on safety procedures as meet your guide and your loyal steed for the day. The ride to Xunantunich includes a well maintained trail through a large private farm along the banks of the Mopan River in the Village of San Jose Succotz.

At Succotz, we’ll be mounting our horses onto an old fashioned hand-cranked ferry as we make our way across the river. A short ride up to the park offers another scenic and fun horse ride.

At Xunantunich: Upon arrival at the site, you’ll be amazed at how impressive the Temple of El Castillo (the main temple) actually is at a remarkable 120 feet in height. Pay close attention to the history of this once royal center of ancient civilization as your guide walks you through the site. Feel free to climb to the top of El Castillo if you’re not afraid of heights. There you’ll have a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the surroundings which encompasses part of Guatemala, Benque Viejo Town, and San Jose Succotz among other areas.

Be careful coming down from the pyramid as you make your way over to the ancient ball court. Imagine the excitement happening in real time as your guide paints a vivid picture of how the popular Mayan game of Pokatok was played. On site you may get to see spider monkeys and, depending on the time of the year, even howler monkeys. An on-site museum will give you an overall idea of this ancient city’s actual size.

Departure: After your tour at Xunantunch, we head back to the parking lot where we mount our four-legged companions as we make our way back across the river through the ferry and back to the stables via our jungle trail.

Upon return at the stables, we’ll unmount our horses. The stable staff unsaddles the horses while you prepare for a delicious lunch at their farm. After lunch, you’re transported back to your hotel for some relaxation.

Difficulty level: Moderate

What to bring: Sunscreen, bug repellent, sun glasses, solid athletic shoes, light clothing, camera.

Provided: Snacks, bottled water & sodas, entrance fees, transportation.

Note: No previous horseback riding experience is required; helmets are provided. There is a weight limit of 250lbs (113.4kg) per person.