San Ignacio: Xunantunich Horseback Ride & Maya Ruins
Riding to Xunantunich: Horses, Ferry Crossing & Ancient Stone
You ride from San Ignacio through savannah and jungle to the Xunantunich Maya site, crossing the Mopan River by hand-cranked ferry on horseback. The tour includes hotel pickup, a local guide, entrance fees, helmet and water, and takes about four hours total. Book if you're comfortable on a horse and want to reach the ruins without a vehicle.
Step-by-step itinerary
Horseback ride and Xunantunich tour
- Meet guide at San Ignacio hotel
- Drive to St Leonard's Stable
- Begin horseback ride on ancient Maya land
- Ride through savannah, jungle, and riverside trails
- Arrive at San Jose Succotz village
- Dismount and walk horses onto ferry
- Cross Mopan River by ferry
- Mount horses and ride to Xunantunich site
- Tour Xunantunich ruins with guide
- Climb structures and enjoy panoramic views
- Return horseback ride to St Leonard's Stable
What’s included
Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in San Ignacio, a local professional guide, riding helmet, bottled water, and entrance fee to Xunantunich Maya site. You'll ride well-trained horses through savannah, jungle and riverside trails, cross the Mopan River by hand-cranked ferry on horseback, and spend about an hour exploring the ancient Maya structures and ruins before riding back to the stable.
- Monday to Saturday 07:30
Information
Horseback riding tour from San Ignacio to Xunantunich Maya ruins. Includes hotel pickup, guide, entrance fee, helmet and water. 4 hours, weight limit 245 lbs.
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The experience
The pickup comes early (7:30am if you're staying in town), and you're still half-asleep when the driver pulls up. But then you're at St Leonard's Stable and the horses are already saddled, and your guide is checking the fit of your helmet, and suddenly the day shifts into something you didn't quite expect. The horse assigned to you (maybe an Appaloosa, maybe a Criollo) is calm and steady, and the guide explains the pace will be gentle, which is good because you realize you haven't ridden in years. Or maybe ever. The trail starts easy enough, through open savannah and then into jungle where the light filters green through the canopy, and you're riding along the Mopan River, and it's quiet except for the sound of hooves and the occasional bird call.
After maybe an hour of riding, you reach San Jose Succotz village and the hand-cranked ferry. This is the part that catches people off guard. You have to dismount and lead your horse onto the ferry yourself, and the ferry operator cranks it across the river by hand, and your horse stands there calm while the water moves beneath you both. Once you're across, you mount again and ride the final stretch to Xunantunich. The site sits on a hilltop, and when you arrive on horseback, you feel it differently than if you'd driven up in a van. Your guide gives you about an hour to walk the structures, climb the pyramids if you want, and take in the views of the countryside and across the border into Guatemala. The stone is old and the air is warm and you're standing where people stood centuries ago.
The ride back is the same trail in reverse, and by then your legs know what they're doing. The whole tour runs about four hours from pickup to drop-off, and you're back at your San Ignacio hotel by early afternoon. The weight limit is 245 pounds per rider (the stable checks this when you arrive so they can match you to the right horse), and they ask that you wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. This is a shared group tour, so you might ride with others or you might be the only ones booked that day. Either way, the guide is local and professional, and they know the trails and the history and which parts of the river are worth stopping to look at.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 16 years); Child (7 to 9 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.
What's the weight limit for this tour?
245 pounds per rider. The stable verifies weight at arrival to match you with the right horse.
Do I need riding experience?
Some outdoor riding experience is recommended. The pace is gentle, but you should be comfortable in a saddle.
What time does the tour start?
Pickups from San Ignacio hotels start at 7:30am. Earlier pickups are available if you're staying outside town.
Is the ferry crossing safe for horses?
Yes. The hand-cranked ferry is used regularly for this route, and horses are calm during the crossing.
What's included in the price?
Hotel pickup and drop-off, local professional guide, Xunantunich entrance fee, riding helmet and bottled water.
How many people go on the tour?
It's a shared group tour with a maximum of 14 people. You might be the only ones booked on your date.
What should I wear?
Long pants and closed-toe shoes. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for exploring the ruins.
How long is the whole tour?
Approximately four hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including the ride, ferry crossing and guided site tour.
Can pregnant travelers do this tour?
No, it's not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.
Is there a minimum group size?
Yes, a minimum of two adults is required to book.
Operated by St Leonard's Tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 5 days ago
San Ignacio: Xunantunich Horseback Ride & Maya Ruins
5h · EN · ES · at your hotel
from US$ 125 per person
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