
Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City
Traveler rating
4.1/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City worth booking?
Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City is a 8-hour experience in Belize City, Belize, from $186 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 4.1/5 (7)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $186 per person
Explore the wonders of Xunantunich, a Mayan Site that has the Second Tallest Structure in Belize, El Castillo. Jose Tours Belize is a family run business that provides visitors with new adventures, unforgettable experiences, and quality services in Belize. This tour provides an experienced guide as well as an A/C tour van to provide safe and comfortable transportation as you enjoy your trip!
What you get
About this experience
Explore the wonders of Xunantunich, a Mayan Site that has the Second Tallest Structure in Belize, El Castillo. Jose Tours Belize is a family run business that provides visitors with new adventures, unforgettable experiences, and quality services in Belize. This tour provides an experienced guide as well as an A/C tour van to provide safe and comfortable transportation as you enjoy your trip!
What's included
Included
- Lunch
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What you'll see and do
Xunantunich
The tour begins with a scenic three hour drive down the highway towards Xunantunich. Many small villages can be seen along the way and the nation's capital, Belmopan and the town of San Ignacio. Traveling West takes you a mile away from the Guatemalan border after which we will cross the Mopan River in a hand cranked ferry. The tour of Xunantunich, or the Stone Maiden begins! This beautiful Mayan ruin was a major ceremonial center and has several plazas and a large selection of classic period structures. The site also has El Castillo, the second tallest structure in Belize (after the temple at Caracol), at some 130 feet (40 m) tall. Those who are adventurous enough to climb to the top will be rewarded with panoramic views of Belize and Guatemala.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Belize City
San Pedro Belize Express for our clients coming from Caye Caulker and San Pedro.
Meeting point
Belize City
Terminal 1 at the cruise ship dock for our cruise ship clients
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
San Pedro Belize Express for our clients coming from Caye Caulker and San Pedro.
Ends at
Terminal 1 at the cruise ship dock for our cruise ship clients
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Jose Tours Belize
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos

What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Absolutely Amazing!
I had the best day ever! Jose is amazing and truly a seasoned professional! He picked us up at the Belize city water taxi terminal, we stopped to get coffee and he was open to pretty much whatever we wanted to do with his recommendations as well. We opted for visiting the Belize Zoo, cave diving at Nohoch Che’en and tour at Altun Ha (and my boyfriend proposed to me there!). It was a long day but truly a magical experience that I’ll never forget
via Tripadvisor
Upselling Annoyance
The Xunantunitch ruins were nice to see. The tour operator/guide (Jose Tours) was a huge detraction to the experience and here's why: 1) He never called us, so the evening before I attempted to call him to be sure someone would actually show up at 8. The number provided by Viator did not work, so a Google search found him and I got through. He confirmed the pickup for the next day and then spent 10 minutes trying to upsell me in additional trips cave tubing, ziplining, and visiting the zoo. 2) His car was filthy inside. Empty water bottles and Red Bull cans all over the place, stuffed into every seat and door pocket. My kids said there were boogers wiped all over the seats and walls in the back. 3) it was HOT this day, 90F+ outside and he had no drinks in the car. No ice chest, nothing. We did stop to get some eventually. 4) He continued to annoyingly attempt to upsell us the additional trips for the rest of the day. I kept count: 6 times he tried. Once it was clear we were seriously not interested in anything else he began asking personal questions about what we do for a living, what our situation was, what kind of car we drive, etc. Definitely fabricate this info anytime on a tour with a stranger in any country. I just found it absurd he would continue to dig for this info, so I readily gave him a fanciful but plausible story. 5) He made a stop at a shop to get parts for his personal vehicle back home. Good thing the merchant wasn't there or we could've been stuck waiting in the hot car while he did his business on our paid time. 6) Unsafe driving- once we were done with the Mayan site and on our way back, he drove like a madman on the way out of the park, so fast that a group of pedestrians on the side of the road waves their arms frantically at him to slow down! 7) Anytime he was around his other tour guy buddies when they asked what he was doing with us he would quickly switch to thick Creole or some other language we couldn't understand but by the body language and tone it was clear he was not happy we weren't doing any other stops like the zoo or ziplining... 7) Continual complaining about how the cost of things has gone up and he can't make as much --cue in another attempt to upsell another stop at the zoo. We had the feeling this tour was an annoyance for him. He did a very minimal effort explaining things at the Mayan ruins...we had to stop and ask "whoa, wait....what is this here?" as we walked by some interesting structure. Good luck with your tour. Go with someone else if you can.
via Viator
Bad tour guide.
Our guide was not good at relaying information about the area we past through and at the ruins we learned more from listening to other tour guides talking near us and information posted inside the vistor center. He was friendly but poor tour guide.
via Viator
Xunantunich and Belize Zoo - Awesome!
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our day with Abel. He was very knowledgable about the ruins and the surrounding areas. Walking around the ruins on a hot day is tough, so make sure you have good walking shoes and lots of water. We added on a side trip to the Belize Zoo (extra cost) and had a lovely traditional Belizean lunch there. We had a bit of extra time before we needed to catch the water taxi back to San Pedro, so Abel drove us around Belize City to show us some sights. A long day, but enjoyable and glad we did it.
via Viator
Truly impressive
My wife and I had a wonderful tour to the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins. The long car ride helped us learn about the Belizean countryside, and our guide kept things fun with 80's hits on the radio. Upon arrival, we were treated to some great historical perspective on the truly impressive ruins, and even some insights into local flora and fauna. Our guide was very conscious of safety, and helped us navigate the steps to the top of el Castillo. Highly recommended for couples who have a day to kill while in Belize City.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $186 to $189
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Jose Tours Belize, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.1.
See everything Jose Tours Belize runsWhy this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Belize City.
How much does Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City cost?
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Prices start at $186 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Belize City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Belize City is not rushed.
Is Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Belize City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Belize City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Belize City and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Belize City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Belize City?
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On Outty we rank every Belize City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure from Belize City, Caves River Kayaking, Explore More with V.i.V., Altun Ha Mayan Ruins & Cave Tubing Tour with Belizean Lunch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Belize City?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Belize City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City?
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Included: Lunch; All Fees and Taxes; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 13 listed pickup locations in and around Belize City. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Private Xunantunich Maya Ruin Adventure From Belize City?
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Across 7 reviews averaging 4.1 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, good for families. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
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