XUNANTUNICH MAYA RUIN
Maya Archaeological Site
Xunantunich is an Ancient Maya archaeological site in Cayo, Belize.
It is located atop a ridge above the Mopan River, rising through the forest canopy.
Getting there is part of the fun as you cross the Mopan River via a hand-cranked ferry.
Xunantunich is famous for its large temple, known today as 'El Castillo,' more than 130 feet tall, making it the second tallest building in Belize.
'Maiden of the Rock' (Xunantunich) refers to the ghost of a woman claimed by several people to inhabit the site. Dressed entirely in white, she generally appears in front of 'El Castillo,' ascends the stone stairs, and then disappears into a stone wall.
Climb the stairs of 'El Castillo.' You might not be able to catch a glimpse of the Lady in White, but you will be rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of surrounding mountains and valleys.
Belizean archaeologist Jaime Awe is the latest scientist to unearth a mystery here by excavating a tomb at this Maya site in 2016, containing a single male corpse, ritual items, artifacts, and animal bones.
The setup of this Maya ruin makes for a beautiful stroll, birdwatching, and if you are lucky, you get to spot Howler and Spider monkeys. In addition, an appealing on-site museum invites you to learn more about this historic ruin.
Optional Add-ONS
You could easily decide to stay at Xunantunich for a picnic under the trees or head down to the Mopan River for a picnic and swim combo.
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In the afternoon, head to:
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The Belize Botanic Gardens with forty-five acres of trails and pathways, which you can walk on your own or as a guided tour. You can hike the rainforest trail and see mahogany, the water vine, vanilla, allspice, and the 'Bullet Tree,' a hard-wood fashioned into shields by the Maya to defend against Spanish bullets. Learn how the Maya used the healing properties of medicinal plants found along the medicine trail, among many other tour choices.
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If you have minimal days in Cayo, we advise you to make your Xunantunich exploration early in the morning and combine your day with the Chechem Ha Trip.
Xunantunich Maya Site Tour is for all ages and activity levels. The same goes for the afternoon optional add-ons.
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What to bring:
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Sunscreen​
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Mosquito spray
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Water bottle
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Personal items
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Camera
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Cash (as the cashier don't accept cards