10 Cultural Tours in Cayo That You Shouldn't Miss

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

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

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.

Xunantunich is one of the largest ancient Maya cities ever built, the rulers of Xunantunich clashes with other powerful rivals in the area, including Tikal. In 2016, the largest Maya royal tomb ever discovered was excavated in Xunantunich, and the site remains an impressive display of pyramids, palaces, and other grandiose buildings.

Inclusions: Lunch, Air-conditioned vehicle, All Fees and Taxes, Entry/Admission fee to Site

Exclusions: Gratuities

As the elevation increases from Belize City to Xunantunich you will get to see the Maya Mountains from a distance and the change in vegetation from savanna to tropical jungle. The drive takes approximately 2.5 hours in which we get to venture through the Twin Towns of San Ignacio and Elena as we make our way closer to the hand crank ferry. Once, we arrive to the ferry we will be hand cranked across the beautiful green Mopan river which we then drive for another 5 minutes to our destination. You will have the opportunity to climb the El Castillo temple which is approximately 130 feet tall. From here you will be able to see Guatemala the one of the neighboring countries with Belize. As you trek along the site you might run into some wildlife as this site is surrounding by jungle. You might get a glimpse of monkeys, birds, spiders and much more. After we finish the site tour, we will enjoy a picnic of local cuisine and then make our way back to Belize city.

Inclusions: Lunch, Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle, Entrance Fees

Exclusions: Gratuities

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:

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

Exclusions:

Travel through time to the mysterious world of the ancient Maya at Caracol, the largest Mayan site in Belize! Located deep within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve and nestled amid high-canopy jungle, the archaeological complex includes five plazas, an astronomic observatory and thousands of buildings. You’ll learn about Caracol’s agricultural practices, sacred rituals and their historic defeat of Tikal as you tour the site with your knowledgeable guide. This day trip from San Ignacio includes round-trip hotel transport by minivan or SUV.

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

Exclusions: Gratuities, Box lunch, Hotel Pick up and Drop off outside of San Ignacio town limits

Xunantunich Mayan site is one of the most popular Archeological site in Belize. Whilst making your way to the top of El Castillo the tallest temple on the site our guest also get to see the remarkable stucco frieze,this are interesting hieroglyphic writings and symbols representing the Mayan religious beliefs in-scripted on both the east and west side of this huge temple. Arriving on top you will be mesmerize by the picturesque beauty of the mountainous landscape of western Belize. This tour begins from Belize City and take you across the country going westward for two hours until you arrive just about a mile from the Belize/Guatemala border just before the bordering town of Benque Viejo. Here you will cross the Mopan river by a hand crank ferry the way it have traditionally being done. This full day activity of Xunantunich allows you to view the countryside of Belize a well as learning a lot about the history and culture of the ancient Mayan Civilization.

Inclusions: National Park fees, Bottled water, Lunch, Driver/guide, Local guide

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Gratuities

Visit the hidden Mayan city of Lamanai and discover the ruins of Belize’s most fascinating archeological site. Your guided day trip from San Ignacio takes you deep into the rainforest where monkeys and tropical birds inhabit hillside structures like the Mask Temple, Jaguar Temple and High Temple. Named ‘submerged crocodile’ in Mayan for the remains that have not been entirely uncovered, the remote site of Lamanai is reached by riverboat across New River (Rio Nuevo), followed by a short hike. Round-trip hotel transport is included.

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

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pick up and drop off for hotels outside San Ignacio town limits