Altun Ha Temple & Howler Monkey Sanctuary tour

Mayan ruins, jungle hikes, and the roar of howler monkeys across the canopy

This seven-hour tour combines two distinct stops: the Altun Ha Mayan ruins, where you explore temples built over 2,000 years ago and climb to views across the jungle, then Bermuda Landing Village's Black Howler Monkey Sanctuary, where you hike trails trying to spot and hear these small but vocal creatures in the treetops. A licensed local guide leads both sites, and the day includes round-trip air-conditioned transfers, a Belizean lunch and beverage.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Altun Ha and Howler Monkey Sanctuary

• Visit Altun Ha Mayan Ruins
• Climb Temple of the Masonry Altar
• Enjoy panoramic jungle views
• Travel to Bermuda Landing Village
• Observe black howler monkeys
• Hike jungle trails
• Attempt close encounter with monkeys

The experience

Altun Ha stands as a smaller but strategically important Mayan site: a former trading post whose temples reveal the architectural skill of an ancient civilization. The Temple of the Masonry Altar is where archaeologists discovered a solid jade head carving of the Mayan sun god. You climb to the top for a panoramic view that stretches across the ruins and into the surrounding jungle, a vantage point that makes the scale of the site and its setting clear in a way ground level cannot.

After Altun Ha, the tour moves to Bermuda Landing Village and the Black Howler Monkey Sanctuary. These small creatures produce a roar that carries across the jungle canopy: a sound that catches most visitors off guard. You hike along jungle trails with your guide, listening and watching the treetops, with the possibility of coaxing one down for a closer look. The contrast between the two stops (ancient stone structures and living jungle) shapes the rhythm of the day.

The tour runs seven hours total and includes a local Belizean lunch with a beverage, round-trip air-conditioned transfers, and a professionally licensed guide who speaks English or Spanish. You'll need at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the hiking and climbing involved. Children from age three are welcome. Note that park entry fees for both Altun Ha and the Howler Monkey Sanctuary, as well as a government tax of US$15 per person, are payable on the tour date itself.

What’s included

• Round-trip air-conditioned transfers from your pickup point.
• a professionally licensed local guide.
• a Belizean lunch with beverage.
• and guided access to both the Altun Ha ruins and the Black Howler Monkey Sanctuary trails.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 16 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by UpClose Belize

Is this one for you?The seven-hour commitment and moderate hiking level suit travelers who want to combine archaeology with active wildlife spotting rather than a single-site focus. If you're comfortable with jungle trails and climbing temple steps, the two stops give you both ancient history and living jungle in one day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the jade head discovered at Altun Ha, and where was it found?

The Temple of the Masonry Altar at Altun Ha is where archaeologists discovered a solid jade carving of the Mayan sun god. This artifact is one of the site's most significant finds and speaks to the temple's importance as a trading post in the ancient Mayan economy.

Can I actually hear the howler monkeys, or is spotting them the main part of the sanctuary visit?

The black howler monkeys of Bermuda Landing Village are known for their distinctive roar, which carries across the jungle canopy and is often the first thing visitors notice. You hike jungle trails with your guide to watch for them in the treetops, and the guide may be able to coax one down for a closer view, but the experience centers on both hearing and seeing them in their natural habitat.

How much climbing is involved at the Altun Ha ruins?

You climb to the top of the Temple of the Masonry Altar for the panoramic view across the site and jungle. The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness, and the climbing is part of what makes the vantage point worthwhile.