Xunantunich from Belize City: El Castillo temple climb

Five to six hours crossing countryside to climb Belize's second-tallest excavated temple

A full-day guided tour from Belize City to Xunantunich, the Mayan site near Benque Viejo, includes transport, lunch and a local guide in English or Spanish. You walk through ancient plazas, visit the museum to see artifacts from excavation, then climb El Castillo, a 137-foot temple, where a large stucco frieze of hieroglyphic writing and religious symbols covers both sides of the structure halfway up.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Xunantunich Mayan ruins

• Depart Belize City westward
• Cross Mopan River by hand-crank ferry
• Visit museum and view Mayan artifacts
• Walk through plazas and temples
• Climb El Castillo temple
• Observe stucco frieze inscriptions
• Enjoy panoramic mountain views
• Have lunch during the tour

The experience

The drive west from Belize City takes roughly 90 minutes through countryside, ending just before the Guatemala border. You cross the Mopan River by hand-crank ferry, the traditional method still in use, then arrive at the site. A local guide meets you at the museum, where you see Mayan artifacts uncovered during excavation before moving to the plazas and temples themselves.

The main event is El Castillo, the tallest temple on the site and the second tallest excavated in all of Belize. Climbing it is optional but the real draw: as you make your way up the 137 feet from the plaza floor, you pass the stucco frieze halfway. A massive carved panel of hieroglyphic writing and symbols representing Mayan religious beliefs, inscribed on both the east and west sides. Your guide explains the inscriptions as you climb. From the top, the view opens onto the mountainous landscape of western Belize. The tour includes lunch and bottled water, and you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide.

The site sits in countryside where you can capture photos of ancient carvings, jungle and wildlife. Groups stay small, capped at fifteen people, and the tour operates in all weather. Bring clothes suited to the conditions and the climb.

What’s included

• Local guide in English or Spanish.
• air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• hotel or port pickup from Belize City.
• lunch.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (20 to 70 years) · Senior (71 to 85 years) · Youth (12 to 19 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 12 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 12.50

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by A Plus Adventures Belize

Is this one for you?Five to six hours away from Belize City means this tour fills most of a day, leaving room for an early start or a late afternoon back in the city, but not for a second major activity. The climb itself is optional, so travelers who prefer to walk the plazas and see the site from ground level can do that instead.

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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: Youth (12 to 19 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What is El Castillo and why is it worth climbing?

El Castillo is the tallest temple at Xunantunich and the second tallest excavated temple in Belize, standing 137 feet from the plaza floor. Halfway up, a large stucco frieze carved with hieroglyphic writing and Mayan religious symbols covers both the east and west sides of the structure. Your guide explains these inscriptions as you climb, and the summit opens onto views of the mountainous landscape of western Belize.

How do you get to Xunantunich from Belize City?

The tour departs Belize City and travels westward for approximately 90 minutes through the countryside. You arrive near Benque Viejo, just before the Belize-Guatemala border, where you cross the Mopan River by hand-crank ferry, the traditional method still in use, to reach the site.

What does the museum at Xunantunich show?

The museum holds Mayan artifacts uncovered during excavation of the site. Your guide gives you detailed information about the artifacts and the site itself before you move out to walk the plazas and temples.

Is climbing the temples required, or can you stay on the ground?

Climbing is optional. You walk through the ancient plazas and see the temples, but if you have the energy and want to reach the stucco frieze and the summit views, you can climb El Castillo and the other temples on site.