Xunantunich Mayan Ruins
Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, Belize
About Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, San Ignacio, Belize
The Xunantunich Mayan Ruins are an ancient archaeological site located 70 miles inland deep into the jungles of Belize, near the city of San Ignacio and right on the border of Guatemala. It is a smaller ruins site in terms of area, but the largest Mayan temple, “El Castillo” rises high above the trees giving you an incredible 360 view, and with its height is actually the second tallest structure in Belize after another temple at Caracol. Upon arriving at the park there will be an entrance fee of $5BZD or $2.50USD, which is well worth it for the experience.
Enjoy our review Monkeys and Meals at Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, Belize
Xunantunich Mayan Ruins YouTube Video
Getting There
There are all kinds of tours that take you into the jungle from San Ignacio or from Belize City, but we were fortunate enough to meet a cool taxi driver who we will call, Crazy Wilson, for reasons you will find out a little later. Anyways, Crazy Wilson laughed out loud when we told him what the tours were going to cost, which was around $ 150 USD each. He offered to be our private driver for the day and take us to San Ignacio to see the Mayan temple for only $ 125 USD, which turned out to be a good idea. Before we left for the ruins he insisted we needed to fill our stomachs, because we had a long day ahead of us. He took us to a local little Belizean restaurant and introduced us to the delicious food known as “fry jacks”. The meal for the three of us plus two beers only cost like $ 15 USD, which I’m sure was much cheaper than any tour with lunch included. After that Wilson sped us to our destination and I mean “SPED!” But he insisted there were no speed limits and that we could drink beers in his car. “Silly, Crazy Wilson!” I chose to just ignore the fact that there were speed limit signs everywhere. The trip took 4 hours of driving from Ladyville, but would probably take normal people around 6.
Map of Xunantunich Mayan Ruins
Hand crank ferry at Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, Belize
Howler Monkeys
Upon arriving at Xunantunich ruins you will take a small hand crank ferry across a river, which I figured I would try my hand at. As we walked into the park I thought I saw something from the corner of my eye jump through the trees, “could it be?” “Yes!” We spotted a howler monkey right away and Crazy Wilson started howling, getting several males quite riled up and that attracted some other tourists, who were quite unaware that the monkeys were even up there.
Howler monkey at Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, Belize
Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, Belize
Climbing the Ruins
One of the great things about Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, Belize is the fact that you can actually still climb the pyramid, unlike the Mexico ruins of Chichen Itza. The climb is somewhat treacherous and one slip would be certain death, but if you’re careful enough you`ll be just fine. Once on the top of El Castillo, you will take in the incredible views of the vast jungle and you can actually see Guatemala. You are not allowed to sit on the edge for obvious reasons, but of course, Crazy Wilson ignored the signs that said not to sit on the edge, until some guy yelled at him from below.
Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, Belize
History of Xunantunich Mayan Ruins
I am by no means a historian, but I will tell you what I know. Construction of the site began in the Late Classic around 800 AD. It contains one of the largest burial chambers ever discovered. The name Xunantunich means "Sculpture of Lady" in the Maya language. This refers to the ghost of a woman who claimed to inhabit the site. She is apparently dressed completely in white, has red glowing eyes, and can be spotted ascending the stone stairs of El Castillo.
More Photos of Xunantunich
Conclusion
Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, Belize are definitely worth checking out, especially if you're lucky enough to spot some howler monkeys. I highly suggest trying to find a private driver and save yourself some money, but if you can only find a tour, just do it anyway, because it is a great adventure and the drive alone is incredible as you make your way through the thick Belizean jungles and small little colorful villages.
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