Xunantunich Maya Ruins Tour: Ferry & El Castillo Visit

Six hours, a hand-cranked ferry crossing, six ceremonial plazas, and views toward Guatemala from El Castillo's peak

A six-hour Xunantunich Maya ruins tour from San Pedro includes pickup, transport to the Mopan River, a hand-cranked ferry crossing to the site, and a private guide leading you through six ceremonial plazas containing more than 25 temples and palaces. At El Castillo, the guide explains carved friezes, Maya rulership, astronomy, and the city's regional connections while the elevated landscape frames the architecture. Water, soda and juices are included. Children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Xunantunich Maya Ruins

• Meet guide in Hopkins
• Drive to Xunantunich temple
• Cross Mopan River by hand-cranked ferry
• Explore six ceremonial plazas
• Climb El Castillo temple
• Learn about Maya history and astronomy
• Enjoy views toward Guatemala

The experience

The ferry crossing sets this tour apart before you even reach the ruins. You'll depart from San Pedro and drive to San Jose Succotz on the Mopan River, where a hand-cranked ferry carries you across to the limestone ridge where Xunantunich sits. That approach (the river crossing, the climb up the ridge) becomes part of how you understand the site. The guide meets you at the beginning and stays with you through the day, explaining how the city's position above the river and surrounding valleys shaped its role as a ceremonial center.

El Castillo, the largest structure, is where the guide walks you through the carved friezes and what they reveal about Maya rulership, ceremony, and astronomical knowledge. From the top, the views stretch toward Guatemala and across the valleys below. The site contains six ceremonial plazas and more than 25 temples and palaces, but the tour focuses on understanding one important Maya city in depth rather than rushing between unrelated attractions. That pacing is what makes the architecture and its connections across the region stick with you.

The full day runs six hours from pickup to return. You'll have water, soda and juices throughout, and the entrance fee is included in your booking. The guide speaks English and the tour works for children from age 5 onward.

What’s included

• Pickup from San Pedro.
• transportation to the Mopan River and the hand-cranked ferry crossing.
• entrance fee to Xunantunich.
• private guide in English.
• water, soda and juices throughout the day.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide in English07:00

Guide in English07:00

Guide in English07:00

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (10 to 65 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

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 4 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.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Private Belize Adventure

Is this one for you?The six-hour pace and focused route through one site means you see El Castillo and the ceremonial plazas in depth rather than moving between multiple ruins, which works well if you want to understand the architecture and its regional role instead of collecting highlights. The hand-cranked ferry and the climb up the limestone ridge are part of the day, so choose this tour if you're comfortable with moderate walking and want the full experience of reaching the site, not just the temples themselves.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years). Under 5: 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 do I get from San Pedro to Xunantunich?

You're picked up from San Pedro and driven to San Jose Succotz on the Mopan River, where you cross on a hand-cranked ferry to reach the limestone ridge where the ruins sit. The ferry crossing is part of the experience and takes only a few minutes.

What is El Castillo and what will the guide explain there?

El Castillo is the largest temple at Xunantunich and the highest point on the site. Your guide explains the carved friezes, Maya rulership, astronomical knowledge, and ceremony, and shows how the city's elevated position connected it to other Maya centers across the region.

How many temples and structures are at Xunantunich?

The site contains six ceremonial plazas and more than 25 temples and palaces. The tour focuses on the most significant ones and how they relate to each other, rather than trying to see everything.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes pickup from San Pedro, all transportation to and from the site, the hand-cranked ferry crossing, entrance to Xunantunich, a private English-speaking guide for the full day, and water, soda and juices throughout.