Xunantunich & Cahal Pech Maya Tour from San Ignacio

Climb two Maya sites and walk between centuries of jungle history

A guided tour from San Ignacio to Cahal Pech and Xunantunich, two Maya archaeological sites separated by different eras and settings. You climb the structures, explore the ruins with a local guide fluent in English or Spanish, and eat lunch at a local restaurant. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for select San Ignacio hotels. The tour runs 5 to 6 hours and requires a minimum of two people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Macal River1h · entry included
2. San Jose Succotz1h · entry included

Visit Maya sites and enjoy lunch

• Pickup from San Ignacio hotels
• Explore Cahal Pech site
• Visit Xunantunich site and hike
• Enjoy lunch at local restaurant

The experience

Cahal Pech comes first. A smaller, quieter site where you'll spend an hour or two almost alone, getting your bearings with Maya history before moving to the larger Xunantunich. Both ruins date to overlapping periods but sit in entirely different settings, so the contrast itself teaches you something about how these people built and lived. Your guide, a local who speaks English or Spanish, walks you through the structures and the landscape, pointing out views across the countryside toward Actuncan and the San Lorenzo Valley.

Xunantunich is the main event: a majestic site where you'll hike and climb the Maya structures for another hour or two, taking in the views from higher ground. The jungle surrounds everything: towering trees, the sense of time layered into stone. Lunch happens at a local restaurant in San Jose Succotz afterward, rounding out the day before you head back to your hotel.

Pickup runs from 7:30am to 8am from hotels in San Ignacio town. If your hotel sits outside town, the operator arranges an earlier start with you beforehand, and an extra cash fee applies at pickup. Bring water (bottled water is provided), and dress for the weather and the climbing. The tour operates rain or shine.

What’s included

• Professional local guide in English or Spanish.
• bottled water.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• transport by private vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off for select San Ignacio hotels.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (17 to 65 years) · Youth (10 to 16 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (2 to 4 years)

GroupUp to 15

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 11 pickup points.Operator's directions: “The Welcome Center OR your hotel/resort in San Ignacio Town. PICKUPs/DROPOFFs to ANY location more than 20 minutes driving from San Ignacio Town may NOT be provided by St Leonard's, and you will be contacted after your…”

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

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by St Leonard's Tours

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a guide leading the group, so you're not exploring on your own: the guide's knowledge of the sites and the landscape shapes what you see and understand. It suits travelers who want the history explained and the logistics handled, and who don't mind climbing and hiking for a full morning and early afternoon.

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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 (5 to 9 years); Infant (2 to 4 years).

How much climbing and hiking is involved at Xunantunich and Cahal Pech?

Both sites require you to climb Maya structures and hike around the ruins for roughly 1 to 2 hours at each location. The terrain is uneven and involves stairs and slopes, so reasonable fitness helps, though the tour is listed as suitable for all fitness levels. Wear sturdy shoes.

What's the difference between Cahal Pech and Xunantunich?

Cahal Pech is smaller and typically quieter, giving you a more intimate introduction to Maya history before you move to the larger site. Xunantunich is more majestic and sits in a different landscape setting, even though both ruins date to overlapping periods. Seeing them together shows how the Maya adapted their building to different environments.

Does the tour include lunch, and can you request dietary needs?

Lunch at a local restaurant in San Jose Succotz is included. You must inform the operator at booking time of any vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or other food allergies so they can arrange it with the restaurant ahead of time.

What if my hotel is outside San Ignacio town?

Pickup can be arranged outside San Ignacio town, but you'll need to arrange it with the operator before the tour date, and an extra cash fee applies at pickup time. The standard tour starts from hotels within San Ignacio town at 7:30am to 8am.

Is this tour available for cruise ship passengers?

No. The tour is not available for cruise ship passengers because the 5 to 6 hour duration plus the driving distance to and from cruise terminals makes it incompatible with port schedules.