Altun Ha Maya Ruins tour: Guided climb & temple access

Climb the temples at Altun Ha while a guide walks you through centuries of Maya history

This is a four-hour guided tour from Belize City to Altun Ha Maya Ruins, 31 miles north. You're picked up at your hotel or cruise port, driven to the site with a live English-speaking guide, given a full historical tour of the ruins, allowed to climb the temples yourself, and returned to your starting point. The tour includes transportation and drinking water. The drive each way takes about 50 minutes, and you spend roughly an hour and a half on the site itself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Belize City and Altun Ha Ruins Tour

• Pick up from point A
• Drive to Altun Ha ruins
• Guided tour of Maya ruins
• Climb the temples
• Answer questions about site
• Drive back to point A

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup at your hotel or designated point in Belize City, then moves through the city streets where the guide points out historical landmarks, including the lighthouse where one of Belize's greatest benefactors was laid to rest. This sets the context before you head north toward Altun Ha. The 50-minute drive covers the 31 miles to the ruins, giving you time to ask questions and prepare for what you're about to see.

Once you arrive at Altun Ha, the guide leads a full historical tour of the site, walking you through the Mayan civilization and the layout of the ruins. You're allowed to climb the temples yourself, not just view them from below, which means you set your own pace on the structures and decide how high you want to go. The guide answers questions as you move through the site. You'll spend roughly an hour and a half here, enough time to see the main temples and take photographs. State-of-the-art restroom facilities are on site.

After the tour concludes, you're driven back to your original pickup point in Belize City. Transportation and drinking water are provided throughout. Bring your camera and wear comfortable shoes for climbing. The entire outing takes about four hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Hotel or cruise port pickup in Belize City.
• transportation to and from Altun Ha.
• a fully guided tour of the ruins with a live English-speaking guide.
• access to climb the temples.
• drinking water throughout the day.
• and restroom facilities at the site.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:15

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 45

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.Operator's directions: “At the 24/7 gas station in Ladyville”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Explore Belize Caves

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a guide narrating Mayan history as you move through the site together, rather than exploring at your own pace: the group sets the rhythm for when you climb temples and move between sections.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (3 to 10 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

How far is Altun Ha from Belize City?

Altun Ha is located 31 miles north of Belize City, about a 50-minute drive from the city or cruise port.

Can I actually climb the temples at Altun Ha?

Yes, you're allowed to climb the temples yourself during the tour. The guide leads the historical explanation, but you control your own movement and how high you go on the structures.

How long do we spend at the ruins?

You spend roughly an hour and a half touring the Altun Ha site itself, with the guide explaining the history and answering your questions as you move through the ruins.

What's included in the tour price?

Transportation from your hotel or pickup point, a fully guided tour with a live English-speaking guide, drinking water, and the return drive to Belize City are all included.