Xunantunich and Cahal Pech Tour
This tour takes you to two of Belize's top Maya sites - Xunantunich and Cahal Pech.
- Duration:
- 9 hrs
- Available Days:
- Every day
- Schedule:
- 8:00 AM
- Hotel Transport Included
- Mobile Ticket Included
- Offered in English, Spanish
The Classic Period site provides an impressive view of the entire river valley. The core site occupies only 300 square meters (3,329 square feet) but the periphery covers a much larger territory. El Castillo, the partially excavated and largest pyramid rises 130 feet (39 m) above the main plaza and offers an impressive view of the Cayo District and nearby Guatemala.
Located on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful town of San Ignacio is the Cahal Pech Maya site and the visitor center. So close to the town yet so rich in biodiversity, Cahal Pech is a unique place to visit.
Cahal Pech highlights: the site center is made up of 34 structures located around several courtyards, including temple pyramids and residential buildings. The tallest structure is 23.5 meters (77 feet) high. There are also 2 ball courts, 8 stelae, and 1 altar.
Preliminary investigations carried out in 1988 revealed that Cahal Pech was settled by 1200 B.C. and abandoned around A.D. 850. This makes Cahal Pech one of the earliest Maya sites in the Belize region of the Maya lowlands.
Attractions Visited
Less than a 10-minute drive or a 25-minute uphill walk from the town of San Ignacio, the 2-acre Mayan ruin site called Cahal Pech makes for pleasant morning or afternoon trip.
Read more:Cahal Pech Ruins
Home to the second largest Mayan pyramid in Belize, Xunantunich is one of the most impressive Mayan sites in Belize. The site is composed of three major ceremonial plazas surrounded by numerous temples, palaces, and house mounds. Xunantunich is located 8 miles (13 km) southwest of San Ignacio on the Western Highway.
Read more:Xunantunich
What to Bring
Hat, sunscreen, water, insect repellant, camera,binoculars, and raingear if needed. Short or long pants and sturdy footwear, sleevelengths are optional
What's included
Guided tour.
Transportation
Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “BOOKING REQUEST” for full details.
Traveler Comments
We were fortunate to have the same tour guide for the two tours we booked which was really nice, and it was just us on the tour which also was very nice, we could go at our pace.
Similar things to do
Caracol Mayan Temples was discovered in 1938 by loggers, located deep within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve now it is the most extensive Maya site in Belize and one of the biggest in the Maya World.
Take this tour to see the site that the Maya called “Stone Woman.” You’ll reach Xunantunich via a ferry ride down the Mopan River, followed by a short hike through the jungle. Xunantunich spreads out over a couple of miles, but the central site is fairly compact.
Take this tour to see one of the oldest Maya sites in Belize. It has ruins that you can climb and is only 30 minutes from Chaa Creek.
