Horseback riding to Xunantunich ruins from San Ignacio

Ride through savannah and jungle to reach a Mayan ruin on horseback

A private horseback ride from San Ignacio to the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich takes 4 to 6 hours and includes a hand-cranked ferry crossing, a guided tour of the site at your own pace, and lunch at a local restaurant. You choose your departure time (7:30am or 8:30am), how long to spend at the ruins (1 to 3 hours), and whether to ride both ways or return by vehicle. Hotel pickup and drop-off in San Ignacio are included, along with entrance fees, water and an energy bar.

The experience

The ride covers roughly 1.5 miles each way through open savannah, riverside trails and jungle to reach Xunantunich. Your guide meets you at your hotel at the time you pick, then drives you to St Leonard's Stable where you're fitted to your horse and given instructions on mounting and control. Once mounted, you ride toward the modern Mayan village of San Jose Succotz, where you dismount at a small hand-cranked ferry to cross the Mopan River. You lead the horses onto the ferry yourself and mount again on the far side for the final stretch to the ruins.

At Xunantunich, your guide takes you through the site at whatever pace suits you, with the tour lasting anywhere from 1 to 3 hours depending on your interest. After exploring, you ride back to the stable (or skip the return ride if you prefer), then get driven to a local restaurant in San Jose Succotz for lunch. The whole day is yours alone: no other groups, no fixed schedule beyond your chosen start time.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to Xunantunich.
• purified water and an energy bar.
• lunch at a local restaurant in San Jose Succotz.
• private guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in San Ignacio.
• private transportation to St Leonard's Stable.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Saturday

AgesAdult (17 to 65 years) · Youth (10 to 16 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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 13 pickup points.Operator's directions: “Our entrance to our St Leonard's tours, stable is at Mile 71 George Price Highway aka Western Highway. Our St Leonard's Tours sign is on the RIGHT side of the highway (coming from San Ignacio town to us).”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by St Leonard's Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if your group wants the ruins to yourselves without sharing a guide or waiting for other riders. The private schedule means you set the start time and control how long you linger at each stop, making it work for families with children as young as four or for anyone who rides at their own pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 16 years); Child (4 to 9 years). Under 4: they 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.

How far is the horseback ride to Xunantunich from San Ignacio?

The ride is roughly 1.5 miles each way through savannah, riverside and jungle trails, ending at the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich. The distance takes about an hour to ride in each direction at a steady pace.

What happens at the Mopan River crossing?

You dismount at a small hand-cranked ferry in San Jose Succotz, lead your horses onto the ferry yourself, and cross the river. Once on the far side, you mount again and ride the final mile to Xunantunich.

Can I choose how long to spend at the ruins?

Yes. Your guide leads you through Xunantunich at your own pace, and the tour can last anywhere from 1 to 3 hours depending on how much you want to explore and what interests you most.

Do I have to ride back to the stable after visiting the ruins?

No. You can ride back if you prefer, or you can skip the return ride and get driven back to the stable by vehicle instead.

What time do I start, and when does the day end?

You choose either a 7:30am or 8:30am pickup from your hotel in San Ignacio. The whole experience takes 4 to 6 hours depending on how long you spend at the ruins, and ends with lunch at a local restaurant in San Jose Succotz before you're dropped back at your hotel.

What's included in the price?

Entrance fees to Xunantunich, purified water and an energy bar during the ride, lunch at a local restaurant, private transportation to and from the stable, hotel pickup and drop-off in San Ignacio, and a private guide are all included.