
Xunantunich horseback riding tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 171 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Xunantunich horseback riding tour worth booking?
Xunantunich horseback riding tour is a 5-hour experience in San Ignacio, Belize, from $125 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 171 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (171)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $125 per person
Experience a special combo of amazing horseback riding and Mayan ruins. Relax on your horse, away from the crowds while enjoying a ride on well-trained Appaloosa, Criollo and Quarter horses in the company of local professional guides. Ride at a gentle pace on ancient Maya land, open savannah, riverside & jungle trails where you may encounter exotic wildlife and enjoy the beautiful scenery along part of the Mopan River to the Majestic Xunantunich Maya site. Let this Maya site ignite your imagination of who built these impressive stone structures as you explore ancient pathways like the ancients of yesteryear. After an hour tour of the site, you will be more than happy for your ride back to St Leonard's Stable. (RECOMMENDED for persons with some outdoor riding experience) Horses & Maya site, the perfect tour of the countryside. please call for availability of groups of 11-12pp
What you get
About this experience
Experience a special combo of amazing horseback riding and Mayan ruins. Relax on your horse, away from the crowds while enjoying a ride on well-trained Appaloosa, Criollo and Quarter horses in the company of local professional guides. Ride at a gentle pace on ancient Maya land, open savannah, riverside & jungle trails where you may encounter exotic wildlife and enjoy the beautiful scenery along part of the Mopan River to the Majestic Xunantunich Maya site. Let this Maya site ignite your imagination of who built these impressive stone structures as you explore ancient pathways like the ancients of yesteryear. After an hour tour of the site, you will be more than happy for your ride back to St Leonard's Stable. (RECOMMENDED for persons with some outdoor riding experience) Horses & Maya site, the perfect tour of the countryside. please call for availability of groups of 11-12pp
What's included
Included
- bottle water, riding helmet, entrance fee to Xunantunich
- Local, professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in San Ignacio
Not included
- pickups & drop offs OUTSIDE San Ignacio Town
- Gratuities
- pickups OUTSIDE San Ignacio Town must be arranged with local provider prior to tour date.
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- St Leonard's Tours
Know before you go
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- min of 2 adults; MAX of 14 pax; WEIGHT LIMIT 245 lbs per rider
- ATTIRE recommended: Any long pants, comfortable closed toes footwear
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended (NO FLIP FLOPs)
- NB: SHARED group tours start with 730am pickups in town OR earlier if OUT of town
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 171 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
171 verified traveler reviews for Xunantunich horseback riding tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
I proposed on top of el Castillo
Carla was absolutely amazing!!!!!! She made the entire experience worth while!! The horses were amazing and me and my fiancee ( which happened on top of el Castillo ) were able to take them for a little run since we were so experienced riding. The knowledge she has of the site made it great. Would absolutely recommend 10000/10.
Response from the operator: BEAUTIFUL!! Congratulations to you both on your engagement at the top of El Castillo—what an unforgettable, storybook moment to share! Carla pours so much heart into every single ride, and knowing she made your day truly special means the absolute world to our St. Leonard’s family. There is something so deeply magical about sharing a bond with these magnificent horses and riding through our ancient landscape, but witnessing a love story unfold like yours takes it to a whole new level. Thank you for trusting us with such a precious milestone in your lives. We are cheering you both on as you begin this next beautiful chapter, and we will be right here waiting to welcome you back for an anniversary ride whenever you're ready!
via Viator
10/10 Would Recommend
Jose was an absolutely exceptional guide! As a solo traveler I wanted an experience that felt awe inspiring, like I got to experience Belize in multiple ways and like I walked away feeling incredible and this tour and tour guide was that and more. The horses were so playful and sweet, the Mayan ruins fantastic and the journey getting there was beautiful. I’m so grateful and couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide in Jose. He truly blew me away with his knowledge, level of service and care. Thank you thank you thank you!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this beautiful review—it truly means so much to everyone at St. Leonard’s! Jose will be especially happy to know that his knowledge, care, and genuine love for Belize helped make your experience so meaningful as a solo traveler. We love creating adventures where you don’t simply visit Belize, but truly feel connected to its horses, Maya history, beautiful landscapes, and the people who call this place home. Knowing that you left feeling inspired and incredible is exactly what we hope every guest takes away from a day with St. Leonard’s. Thank you for trusting us with your Belize adventure, and we would be absolutely delighted to welcome you back whenever you’re ready for another unforgettable experience!
via Tripadvisor
The trip was great for...
The trip was great for the whole family! Jose and Carla were great with our kids who had never ridden a horse. Jose worked very hard to get our kids engaged with both the horse riding and the history. Our daughter was super scared at first, but they were patient and reassuring. Beautiful view from the top and super informative! Would not hesitate to recommend this trip to others. All of the staff for this trip were friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about their work. Thanks!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing such a heartwarming review! There are few things more rewarding than watching our little ones overcome their fears, build confidence in the saddle, and light up as they discover the wonder of history and nature firsthand. Hearing that your daughter went from feeling nervous to feeling completely safe, engaged, and reassured means so much to us. At St. Leonard’s Tours, creating a patient, nurturing, and secure environment for families—especially first-time riders—is at the very core of what we do. We are so proud of Carla, Jose, and our entire team for making sure your children felt genuinely cared for, encouraged, and inspired throughout the journey. From Carla, Jose, and the entire family at St. Leonard’s, thank you for trusting us with your family's Belize adventures and precious memories. We cannot wait to welcome you all back with open arms whenever you return!
via Viator
Fun and interesting activity!
It was amazing! Our guide Jose explained everything about the maya culture and gave us an amazing experience! The horses are easy to ride, even for beginners and from the start to the end everything was well organised!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We know that when you are planning a vacation, finding an adventure that is completely stress-free and well-organized from start to finish is a huge relief. At St. Leonard's Tours, our goal is to handle all the logistics so you can simply relax, unplug, and fully enjoy the adventure. We are so thrilled that you felt completely comfortable and confident in the saddle. Providing safe, beginner-friendly horseback riding here in the Cayo District is something we take great pride in, and our gentle horses are perfect for showing new riders the ropes. Exploring the jungle is always beautiful, but having a guide like Jose who is so passionate about bringing the rich history of the Maya culture and the Mayan ruins to life makes the experience so much more meaningful. Thank you for trusting us with your Belize vacation. We would be honored to welcome you back to San Ignacio for another amazing ride anytime!
via Tripadvisor
Scenic horseback ride and top historical guide
As a family of four with two teenagers, St Leonard’s horseback ride was an excellent way to see Xunantunich. We had the knowledgeable Carla and her son Mark as our guides. The horses were amiable and in good shape due to the love they receive from Carla’s family who live on site with them. One of our fellow tourists was a competitive horseback rider who sought out this stable because of good reviews about the conditions for the horses. The 90 minute ride passed through beautiful fields and then along the river through trees. We saw a nesting Tucan peeking out of a tree as well as other birds. During the ride we chatted with Carla about her life growing up visiting the Xunantunich ruins since she was a young child. At the ruins, Carla had an engaging style of drawing attention to aspects of each location by asking tour members to imagine themselves taking a role in events from ancient history. This was very engaging for us and our teenagers who elected to stay listening to Carla instead of breaking off to wander nearby. At the end of the tour we enjoyed some coconuts from Carla’s trees and gave her a hug goodbye. Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful reflection on your time with us. Reading this truly touches us! We are so incredibly proud of Carla and Mark; they are a cherished part of our team, and Carla’s deep, lifelong connection to Xunantunich is something we love being able to share with families. As any parent knows, keeping teenagers captivated enough that they actually want to stay and listen is the ultimate compliment! It also means so much to us that you—and the competitive rider in your group—noticed the condition and spirit of our horses. We pour our hearts, careful nutritional planning, and daily care into their physical well-being because they are our true partners. We are so thrilled you got to experience the magic of the riverside, the nesting toucan, and a sweet coconut to cap it all off. Sending a warm hug right back to you and your family from all of us here. We hope our trails cross again someday!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 60
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by St Leonard's Tours, who run 12 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 67.9 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything St Leonard's Tours runsWhy this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Xunantunich horseback riding tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Ignacio.
How much does Xunantunich horseback riding tour cost?
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Prices start at $125 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Ignacio usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Xunantunich horseback riding tour take?
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Plan for about 5 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 San Ignacio is not rushed.
Is Xunantunich horseback riding tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 171 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in San Ignacio, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Xunantunich horseback riding tour?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Xunantunich horseback riding tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Xunantunich horseback riding tour?
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Around 60 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 San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Xunantunich horseback riding tour 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 San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio?
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On Outty we rank every San Ignacio experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic, Xunantunich and Cave Tubing Combo Tour from San Ignacio, Tikal SUNSET, Archeological focus and Wildlife Spotting Tour (South and East). 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 San Ignacio?
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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 San Ignacio?
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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 Xunantunich horseback riding tour?
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Included: bottle water, riding helmet, entrance fee to Xunantunich; Local, professional guide; and Hotel pickup and drop-off in San Ignacio. Not included: pickups & drop offs OUTSIDE San Ignacio Town; Gratuities; and pickups OUTSIDE San Ignacio Town must be arranged with local provider prior to tour date. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Xunantunich horseback riding tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 21 listed pickup locations in and around San Ignacio. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Xunantunich horseback riding tour 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 Xunantunich horseback riding tour?
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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 Xunantunich horseback riding tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Xunantunich horseback riding tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in San Ignacio. Standard cancellation terms apply.
What do travelers say about Xunantunich horseback riding tour?
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Across 171 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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