How to Get to Xunantunich Ruins from San Ignacio in Belize

Xunantunich Maya Ruins are located in west Belize near San Ignacio, just across from the border with Guatemala. This archeological site is one of the best Maya ruins to visit in the area, as it’s an easy half-day trip from the city.

In this short guide we’ll list all the different ways you can get to Xunantunich from San Ignacio, as well as provide you with some general details about the site such as opening times, the entry fee, available facilities and some of the best structures to see.

If you’d like to see what we got up to in Belize, make sure to watch our dedicated YouTube video. 

About Xunantunich Ruins in Belize

Xunantunich Ruins are located about 12km to the southwest of San Ignacio, right across from the border with Guatemala. It is one of the largest Maya sites in the Belize River Valley, and sits on a ridge overlooking the Mopan River.

The name Xunantunich (pronounced: Shoo-nan-tun-nitch) comes from the Yucatec Maya language and means ‘Maiden of the Rock’ or ‘Stone Woman’. Xunantunich was first explored by Dr. Thomas Gann in the 1890’s, followed by numerous other excavations in the decades since.

Today the archeological site is comprised of numerous plazas, temples and palaces. The most notable structure is El Castillo Temple, which is one of the highest manmade structures in Belize.

How to Get to Xunantunich Ruins from San Ignacio

1. Hire Car

An easy and convenient way to get to Xunantunich Ruins from San Ignacio is with a hire car. If you want to rent a car for a few days to drive along the Hummingbird Highway or to visit other Maya ruins such as Caracol, then we recommend renting a 4×4.

To get to Xunantunich from San Ignacio, just follow the George Price Highway towards Benque Viejo del Carmen. Once you get to Xunantunich Hand Cranked River Ferry Terminal hop on board and cross the river on the ferry. Carry on driving for about 1.3 km (0.6 mi) along Xunantunich Road to the car park.

They were resurfacing the entire road between San Ignacio and Benque at the time of our visit. This hopefully means that by the time you visit Belize, the road will be in much better condition.

2. Public Bus

Getting to Xunantunich Ruins from San Ignacio is also easy by public bus. First head to the C.W.C Bus Stop (Cayo Welcome Centre) in San Ignacio.

Here, wait for the bus going towards Benque Viejo del Carmen. The bus should have ‘Benque’ written on the front. Ask the driver to drop you off at the ferry terminal to the ruins. Some buses might say ‘Benque express’ but they should still drop you off at the ferry crossing. This is the same bus you’d be travelling on if you crossed the Guatemala – Belize land border on public transport.

The bus ticket costs around 2 BZD (1 USD) per person and the ride should take about 10-15 minutes.

Once you’re at the ferry terminal you may be asked to show a photo ID if you’re planning on walking up to the site. The employee took a photo of my driver’s license and then asked my name once I was on the ferry too. Apparently, this is for security reasons. Someone also asked if we wanted a taxi from there to the site, so that could be an option if you don’t fancy walking the extra mile on the other side. You can always hire a guide there too to learn more about Xunantunich.

After the ferry crossing just follow the paved road to the entrance. It shouldn’t take too long, but the way there is uphill. At least it’s then downhill on the way back.

3. Taxi

If you don’t want to hire a car or take a public bus, then we recommend getting there by taxi. You can get a taxi from anywhere in San Ignacio. They may or may not offer to do the ferry crossing depending on the driver. If they don’t, just cross the river as a foot passenger on the ferry (see above) before walking up to the entrance.

Make sure to agree on a price before hopping into a taxi.

4. Tour

Lastly, you can also book a guided tour in San Ignacio to visit Xunantunich Ruins. A tour will include your transport, as well as a guide who will explain more about the ruins. During our initial search we saw that some tours even include other activities, such as cave or river tubing, and horseback riding.

Shop around for different offers at some of the agencies in San Ignacio, or book online in advance with either GetYourGuide or Viator, two sites we always check out if we’re after an organised tour.

Xunantunich Ruins Entry Fee and Opening Times

The site is open every day from 8AM to 5PM. Entry to the site is 10 BZD (5 USD) per person.

We recommend allocating around 1.5 to 2 hours to visit the site. There’s a small museum near the entrance where you can read more about the ruins and other Maya sites too.

Facilities at Xunantunich Ruins

The archeological site had toilet facilities at the entrance, as well as a small store selling cold drinks, a few gifts and some souvenirs.

Highlights of Visiting Xunantunich Ruins near San Ignacio

Xunantunich is split into four sections: Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D. Within these groups there are numerous plazas surrounded by pyramids, temples, palaces, and other structures. You’ll see that quite a few structures are still unexcavated though.

One of the most notable structures in Xunantunich is the El Castillo (The Castle) pyramid. It’s situated within Group A, which was the ceremonial and administrative centre of the city. With a height of 40m (130ft), the temple of El Castillo is still the second largest man-made structure in Belize after the temple at Caracol. We could climb to the top to enjoy 360 degree panoramic views of the site, as well as out towards Guatemala.

To the west of Group A we found the main Ball Court, where Maya ball games were played. Further west is Group B, which was a residential area that’s not been fully excavated yet. To the south of Group A is Group C, which was also used for residential and administrative purposes.

In Group D we found the Palace, a large complex where the Maya royalty used to live. It was also used for administrative purposes.

Just like at Tikal and Yaxha Ruins in Guatemala, there are hundreds of species of mammals, birds, reptiles and snakes that call the jungle home. During your visit you may see coatis, howler monkeys, spider monkeys and birds.

Don’t feed the animals! We personally didn’t witness this, but please never feed the wildlife at Xunantunich Ruins, or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

What to Bring With You to Xunantunich Ruins

• Wear something lightweight and quick-dry.
• Wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes.
• Don’t forget SPF and other sun protection.
• Bring a lot of water and make sure to stay hydrated.
• Bring some snacks and food. There was only a small shop at the entrance.
• Have bug repellent with you, especially in the rainy season.
• In the rainy or shoulder season, don’t forget to bring a rain jacket or poncho.
• Enough cash to cover your entry fee and any additional expenses such as transport or guide costs.
• Bring your camera gear to capture some beautiful photos.
• Leave No Trace! If you bring your items in, then make sure to take them home too.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Xunantunich Maya Ruins in Belize

We enjoyed our short visit to Xunantunich Maya Ruins from San Ignacio. Getting there by public bus was super easy and affordable. The site itself was small but not too busy, so we didn’t feel overwhelmed whilst walking around. Despite its size, we were still blown away by just how impressive the El Castillo temple was. It’s definitely worth climbing up to the top, to get a different vantage point of the site and appreciate the panoramic views.

On our way back to San Ignacio, we also ended up having a good 15 minute chat with one of the vendors at the side of the road whilst we waited for our bus. Belizeans are super welcoming and friendly, and we learnt a bit more about Belize and its people from him.

Have you ever been to San Ignacio before? If so, did you visit Xunantunich Maya Ruins during your stay? If not, would you add this Maya site to your itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.