10 Archaeology Tours in Cayo That You Shouldn't Miss

This 6-hour tour to the ancient Mayan center of Xunantunich sits on an impressive hilltop just near the border of Belize and Guatemala. Xunantunich was a major ceremonial center during the classic period.

Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Souvenir photos (available to purchase), Gratuities

Travel back in time and experience what life was like in the city of Xunantunich, one of Belize’s most popular Mayan sites. This tour from San Ignacio takes you to San Jose Succotz, a Maya-Mestizo village located close to the Western Border and delivers you on an old-fashioned, hand-cranked ferryboat to the magnificent ruins deep in the Belizean rainforest. Admire astronomical carvings at El Castillo (The Castle) and sweeping views of the Belize River Valley and neighboring Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala once you’ve climbed the steep pyramid steps to the top! Hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio Town are included.

Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off from within San Ignacio Town limits

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pick up and Drop off outside San Ignacio Town limits

Xunantunich & Food Tour: YOU, 4 local dishes, 3 Stops, 1 Mayan site Great adventure, lots lot of fun and food! This amazing food tour takes in the best of historical and cultural Belizean cuisine with a twist of mayan ingredients that may fire your appetite for more local food and hunger for more of the impressive El Castillo at Xunantunich. Your late morning brunch or midday dish, after Xunantunich, has you sampling scrumptious salbutes, empanadas and pibil (pork dish) . Your day concludes a 'Kekchi Maya chocolate making before being taken to your HOTEL/RESORT in San Ignacio town (for any AIRBnB please contact us to see if pickups are available for you location) (rice & beans or other local dish can replace Pibil for vegetarians)

Inclusions: Bottled water, guided tour of Xunantunich, Transportation to any hotel in San Ignacio Town (locations outside of Town incur additional FEE)

Exclusions: Souvenirs, Alcoholic drinks; gratuities, Transportation to hotels/Resorts OUTSIDE of San Ignacio Town are only available for an extra fee, infants' car seats & other facilities/expenses required by infants.

The Caracol Mayan Ruin Tour is a moderate tour for kids 12 years and older. The entire tour takes approximately 8 hours (full day tour) and departs at 7:30am from San Ignacio it includes transportation, guide, park entrance fees and lunch. On the way back a stop is made in the Mountain Pine Ridge (Rio Frio Cave and the Rio On Pools) to cool off and enjoy a picnic lunch. Two places that will be explored are the Rio Frio Cave and Rio On Pools. MINIMUM 2 person

Inclusions: Cooler available to store food/refreshments , Towels, 1 liter bottle of water and bottle juice, Lunch is provided for full day tours which includes fruits and Belizean cuisine.

Exclusions:

7:30am - 8am pickup from hotels in SAN IGNACIO Town for 2 great Maya sites: Cahal Pech & Xunantunich, unique places to get yourselves familiar with Maya history. Climb, explore and fascinate yourselves with extraordinary structures built by mysterious Mayan people who continue to captivate our full attention and never ending questions as to who, where and what happened to them. Let yourself be pampered by the cool jungle settings, towering structures, let the Maya land whisper to you many of its secrets through your knowledgeable local guide, let time come to a standstill, while you admire breathtaking views of the forest-covered neighboring sites of Actuncan and San Lorenzo Valley before enjoying lunch at a local Restaurant. TOUR STARTS from SAN IGNACIO town UNLESS arrangements are made with local provider PRIOR to tour date. SPECIAL DIETS or ALLERGIES must be informed at time of booking.  EXTRA FEE (payable cash at pickup time) for any pickups & drop offs OUTSIDE SAN IGNACIO TOWN.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Lunch, Professional local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (select hotels only), Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Entrance fees and meals for infants, pickups & drop offs to hotels/resorts OUTSIDE of San Ignacio Town

A full day tour starts when your guide meets you at your hotel in San Ignacio Town followed by a short drive to Xunantunich. After exploring & climbing El Castilloand rest of the Maya site you will then be driving (approx 1.5hrs) to 'Jaguar Paw' where you will enjoy lunch before getting your cave tubing gear before hiking (approx 20 - 30 mins depending on your pace) to the starting point of the cave tubing tour. Go cave tubing, through the crystalline water of this underground system and enjoy a relaxing tubing adventure.  (This tour may be affected by seasonal rains - flash floods, so your tour may be susceptible to changes only during extremely wet days) (lunch for this tour is packed lunch especially for special dietary needs - at times you may have lunch at a local restaurant at 'Jaguar Paw')

Inclusions: all entrance fees, cave tubing equipment, water, light snack, lunch, Hotel pickup and drop-off (within San Ignacio), small group tours

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, gratuities, Excess luggage charges (where applicable), pickups & drop offs OUTSIDE of San Ignacio Town (contact us to confirm availability)

We will visit one of the most impressive Mayan Ruins in Belize, Xunantunich! Float through mysterious limestone archways beckoning you into the mouths of centuries-old caves, holding untold stories of Maya rituals. Explore the many breathtaking formations designed by only nature and learn about the ancient rituals and ceremonies that are a part of their mystique and magic.

Inclusions: Helmets, Head lights & life Jackets, Air-conditioned vehicle, Lunch, Parking Fees

Exclusions:

Xunantunich Maya Temple means “Maiden of the Rock," and it is located only 30 minutes south-west of San Ignacio Town, in the beautiful village of San Jose Succotz. This makes this site one of the most accessible Maya Temples in the area. To gain access to this magnificent site one must cross the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry. This is also a great place to pick up souvenirs and popular gift items like hand-made hammocks, slate carvings, jewelry, etc.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Bottled water, Professional local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Food and drinks, Lunch, Gratuities

Visit the Majestic Mayan Temples of Xunantunich! Come and discover the famous "Maiden of the Rock", climb atop the one of Belize's tallest Mayan Temples- El Castillo ( the castle)! From standing atop the 13 layers of heaven, you will then venture into the mystical Mayan mountains and board a Jungle pontoon boat to visit hidden waterfalls!

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Lunch, Water, Local guide, Transport by private vehicle with air condition

Exclusions: Gratuities, Snacks, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Take a day trip from San Ignacio to the Mayan ruins of Tikal, located in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tikal National Park (Parque Nacional Tikal). A professional guide leads you on a tour of the famous archeological site, once inhabited by the pre-Columbian Mayan civilization. Step foot in the heart of the jungle and experience Guatemalan history, culture, and nature all in one day! Round-trip hotel transport, crossing the border from Belize, is included.

Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off within San Ignacio town limits, Lunch

Exclusions: Gratuities, Departure tax fee (US$ 19 per person, due on day of travel), Hotel pick-up and drop-off outside San Ignacio town limits