He was a good communicator, and allowed me to meet him where I needed to meet him, versus his normal pick up points. He was very informative and patient with our group of 10. During the tour, he was very informative, and let us know a lot about the local culture and history. There are also 2 ballcourts, 8 stelae and 1 altar. Belize Internet Marketing & Website Design. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I am so thankful for your great review and for giving Bzmtours.com a 5 star, and also for enjoying my tour of Barton Creek Cave. Cahal Pech means place of ticks in modern-day Maya, and refers to the fact that the surrounding area was once used as pasture land. Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour | Belize Tourbase Present-day Guatemala is home to the ruins of one of the oldest and most powerful Mayan cities - Tikal. Best Guided Tours From the other side of the river, its a mile uphill to the site, which can be accessed on foot or in a vehicle. Thank you for your business with us and we hope will come back someday. Xunantunich is believed to have been a strategic Mayan site throughout Central America primarily due to its location near a flowing river, hidden by the dense rainforest. Belize Mayan Ruins Tours | Caracol | Tikal - Maya Walk Located about 80 miles west of Belize City in Cayo District near the town of San Ignacio and the border with Guatemala, Xunantunich is most famously known for the large temple known today as El Castillo (Spanish for "The Castle") which is more than 130 feet tall (30 meters) making it the . Read more to discover all of the Belize adventure tours we offer. Youll travel 12 miles to Maya Center village, a small, traditional Maya community of 200 villagers, where youll explore the traditional ways of farming cocoa. wanting to go the ruins on August 14 for four people can you provide options. The group was split into two and Hector was our lead. He was also hilarious. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. It almost doesnt sound believable. Having Trouble Finding Availability? Caracol, a major and dominant site in Mayan history, is an expansive city covering nearly 6 square miles and rivaling the ancient metropolis of Tikal in size, power, and riches. Hi Andrew. Youve made this drive sound so much fun! Hi. However, it was not until the 1800s that Xunantunich was officially explored by the British. His friendly demeanor put us at ease and brought our small group (my family + a group of 4 young women) together as a team. History buffs will also enjoy learning about the colonization of Belize as we drive on narrow bridges built by the British settlers in 1905. He went out of his way to ensure we were well looked after, acted as a very knowledgeable tour guide and was really good value. Call us TOLL Free at +1-877-709-8708 for more information. Imagine stopping your car at the bottom of this magnetic hill, only to slowly begin to being pulled up back the hill. LOCAL BUSINESS. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 2 Dawson Lane, Burrel Boom Village This site was hidden for many centuries by the trees in the tropical broad leaf forest. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We also used MayaWalk for our shuttles to and from Belize City, which made it so easy. Amazing! Walk around these ancient cities that were populated by thousands of people. Although archeologists have performed heroic work in excavating these important sites, much work remains to be done. LOCALLY OWNED Albert was an excellent our tour guide. My 15 year old daughter (a competitive high school swimmer) said she would have been a bit nervous without the lifejacket, so make of that what you will. Xunantunich was a major ceremonial centre as well as a residential and recreational area for the ancient Maya civilization. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. He never left me alone and when I had a panic attack when we tried to go thru a small space, we backtracked and found another way. We'll drive you through the Mayan Mountains along the scenic Hummingbird highway to Belize' s western Border town of San Ignacio, where the ancient Maya ruins of Xunantunich ("Maiden of the Rock" pronounced: "Shoe-nan-too-nitch") are accessed by a short crossing on the Mopan River on a hand-cranked chain ferry. Your reviews are wonderful! Inside the tomb a ruler had been laid to rest with the accouterments . Thank you for a very nice review and for giving me a 5 star based on your experience of the cave, I am of the utmost graciously thankful for your great input in making Bzmtours your best tour company in Belize. Are there any special spots you like to point out during this scenic drive? DURATION:4-5 hoursINTENSITY:Easy to ModerateWHAT TO BRING:Comfortable shoes (i.e., hiking, sneakers, keens, etc. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Whether due to climate change, agricultural blight, civil strife, or a combination of several factors, the collapse of the Maya civilization saw the fragmentation of the Maya into distinct kingdoms and principalities. The journey through our country is surely part of the adventure as you travel from the southern coast to the western border. The Maya will take you into their backyard jungle garden to explore the local plants and how theyre used for cooking and medicinal purposes. We did the Xunantunich, Cara Col and ATM Cave tours with Albert. A Guide to Visiting Maya Ruins in Belize | Belize Maya Ruins $109.10. There will be opportunities to shop and walk around after the tour. What is the most well known structure on Xunantunich? Our guide was careful, considerate and well informed. We did the Caracol Maya Ruins Tour and the ATM Tour with them, both were amazing and we would enthusiastically recommend them both. # OF PERSONS:2DURATION:7-8 hoursINTENSITY:ModerateWHAT TO BRING:Comfortable clothing, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, hat, bug spray, sunscreen, extra water, camera, spare cashBOOK THIS TOUR. We had an unmatched experience with MayaWalk Tours. In this case, the river running through the original cavern still flows through the cave system, and forms a sapphire-colored pool at the bottom of the sinkhole. Ill just say that there is a certain part of the Hummingbird Highway that has majestic views as well as hidden mysteries. Caracol Ruins & Rio on Pools & Rio Frio Cave Tour, Crooked Tree Wilflife Sanctuary Birding Tour, Mountain Pine Ridge & Rio on Pools & Rio Frio Cave, Belize Internet Marketing & Website Design. Belize Mayan Ruins Tour the Mayan Ruins of Belize Visit either one of Belize's incredible Archaeological Sites- Altun Ha, Lamanai and Xunantunich Ruins. He knew every bird call and could imitate most of them or use recordings to call them in for us. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. For reasons not yet completely understood by archeologists, the Maya civilization began to collapse around AD 900 in what is known as the Post Classic period. My wife lost her wedding and engagement rings on an expedition in Placencia (they fell out of her purse, where she had put them for safe keeping while putting on sunscreen), and we didn't realize it until hours later when we were back at the resort. Caracol Ruins & Rio on Pools & Rio Frio Cave Tour, Crooked Tree Wilflife Sanctuary Birding Tour, Mountain Pine Ridge & Rio on Pools & Rio Frio Cave, Belize Internet Marketing & Website Design. First, youll learn how to prepare a traditional Maya meal, including grinding the corn and making tortillas. We have been operating adventure tours since 1997, and we offer over a dozen adventure tours in Belize, with special emphasis on caving and canoeing tours. I recommend ordering the pibil which is traditional Belize slow roasted pork. And so it begins What does Xunantunich mean and what is the significance of the ancient Mayan archaeological site? But for more than 2,000 years, the abundant sunshine, fertile soils, and the rich fisheries of the offshore reef allowed the Maya civilization to flourish in what is now Belize. (We were quoted $105.00 per person on TA sight). We spent five days inland in San Ignacio, and visited the Belize Zoo, Caracol, Rio on Pools, Rio Frio Cave, Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, a chocolate-making tour, and Xunantunich. DURATION: 2.5 hrs approx. We got soo much more than we even imagined. it was a great pleasure having you in my country please do come back some other time as I have lots of adventures waiting for you. This site was named El Pilar Spanish word for watering basin due to the numerous sources of water that are located in that area. He explained the significance of each area & spotted a group of howler monkeys. The team at BelizeLamanaiTours.com, have been providing tours to the ancient Maya City of Lamanai for more than 20 years. 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Copyright 2023 | First Mag designed by Themes4WP, Belize Paleo Indian Period (15000 7000 BC), Belize Preclassic Period (2500 BC 300 AD), Belize Early to Late Classic Period (300 800 AD), Belize Terminal Classic and Early Postclassic Periods (800 1200 AD), Belize Late Postclassic Period (1200 1502 AD), Belize Spanish Conquest and its Aftermath. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Plan your visit. Thank you. info@blackorchidresort.com, Questions? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. And our guide's stories kept them interested. Half-Day Guided Tour to Altun Ha Mayan Ruin and Belize City These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Work on this site is still ongoing and, in fact, much of El Pilar still remains in the early stages of excavation. Caracol Maya Ruins is located in the Cayo District, deep in the jungles of the Chiquibul Reserve and the tour includes a visit to the on site museum that hosts the ancient artifacts narrating the story of Caracol in its era. Well drive you along the scenic Hummingbird Highway to the Tapir Mountain reserve where you will hike 45 minutes across rivers and through gorgeous green jungle to the mouth of the ATM cave where youll have to swim into the narrow entrance. Great tour! Albert was a fantastic guide. ), comfortable clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, water, camera, binoculars (bird watchers)BOOK THIS TOUR, On-Site ToursWater AdventuresZiplining Tours. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. After experiencing what goes into creating what youve only experienced in jars, youll never look at your spice rack the same way again! Albert is a super fun guide. The information we learned was so amazing too. Albert was an excellent host, and he was able to accommodate a very short notice tour of the caves. Step into the past and imagine coming here as an early explorer, hacking your way through the jungle to the crumbling steps. Today you might catch a glimpse of howler monkeys in the mammoth trees towering over the ancient Mayan ball courts and plazas. Visit the past on a Belize Mayan ruins tour, where you can see - and climb - the intricate structures and learn about life in Belize thousands of years ago. New Discovery Uncovered at Xunantunich Mayan Site in Belize. The heartland of the Maya world lies in what is now Belize, and modern-day visitors can explore more than two dozen ancient sites that have been clawed back from the jungle. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. ", This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. He was timely every morning and prepared us well with the list of essentials we needed to bring for our day trips. Once there, youll discover several massive temples, on top of which you will have a chance to take in the stunning 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Come prepared to walk in sturdy hiking shoes or tennis shoes, bring bug spray & sunscreen, and of course, your camera for that epic selfie! Even without that epic saga and their heroic feats, we loved this resort. more, #1 of 55 Tours & Activities in San Ignacio, Taxis & Shuttles Eco Tours Sightseeing Tours Archaeology Tours. Youll get to taste cocoa butter, wine, nibs, cookies and tea, all made from cocoa made on site. Here, youll see the Spanish and Mayan influence of the Belize culture. The ATM Tour was an experience all on its own, but our guide was knowledgeable, respectful to the site, and made us feel safe the entire time. My 15 year old and 10 year old daughter (both on the more adventurous side) were never once nervous or frightened. What a lovely review. The site consists of seven plazas and over 30 structures including temples, residential buildings, ball courts, an altar, and a sweat-house, all situated on just 2 acres. The entire archaeological site, named Xunantunich, literally means Maiden of the Rock. Our trip to Caracol as guided by an excellent guide (John) who was very knowledgeable of the area and even shared his own collection of artifacts with us! We have had the most incredible two days and they have exceeded our expectations beyond what we could have imagined. FITNESS/INTENSITY: Moderate KID FRIENDLY: Yes. per adult (price varies by group size) Belize City to Xunantunich Mayan Ruins. Easy access to this Mayan site from the Cahal Pech Village Resort since it is only two hours drive away from the Western border of Belize. www.cocoplumcay.com. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Featured Belize Maya Ruins Cahal Pech Maya Ruins Cahal Pech means "place of ticks" in modern-day Maya, and refers to the fact that the surrounding area was once used as pasture land. The staff was amazing, including one experience that went so far above and beyond expectations that it was almost like a scene out of a movie. An abundance of tropical birds, monkeys and other wildlife can also be seen while exploring the trails throughout the site. Again thanks. Once inside, youll explore the mile-long cave that National Geographic has named the most sacred cave on earth. Our local guides are more than happy to share their knowledge about the archaeology and history of the sites that you will visit. We assumed all was lost, but Keith (who wasn't even on our expedition) asked about the next day and uncovered the rings, and he and Primrose negotiated their heroic return (we got them back 5 minutes before we had to board the plane in Belize City for the trip back home). MIN. Jason, Ashton, Juan Carlos, Josiah, Jeremy, and Connie thank you so much for making our experience in San Ignacio one that well never forget. Bus Tours. There were 16 of us in all, with a lot of teenagers. This is a cultural experience, sightseeing tours with first hand views of the countryside, Mayan Mountains, farms, colorful homes and San Ignacio farmers market. We strongly recommend his tour services and wouldnt recommend using any other ones! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore an active archaeological site, and to see an ancient ceremonial cave as it existed nearly 1,500 years ago. We had an incredible time. There were 16 of us in all, with a lot of teenagers. What is the cost and time involved for the ATM tour. They recommended a schedule where we wouldnt feel rushed either day, lunch was included and Water too. 10 hours (approx.) Thank you so much and hope our paths will cross again in the near future. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Well, like I said, my friend was doing it and I felt if I didn't I would be missing out. Cahal Pech Maya Ruins Belize | Belize Mayan Ruins | Belize Tours He told us a lot about the Mayas, but he also made us feel safe throughout the tour and shared his knowledge about the flora and fauna around the cave with us. We were delighted to have BZM Tours, especially Albert, who made our Belize trip an unforgettable venture. Hi. While driving from location to location he narrated our trip with information about history, culture, flora, fauna, and animals. DURATION: 7-8 hours INTENSITY: Moderate WHAT TO BRING: Passport, comfortable clothing, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, hat, bug spray, sunscreen, extra water, camera, spare cash, Discovered in 1938 and later explored in the 1950s, Caracol was thought to be a little more than a Maya ceremonial centre. You will see and taste different spices on the trees and bushes where they grow and see how roasting and curing can change the flavor. The Maya dug a channel to separate what is now the island of Ambergris Caye from the mainland and used waterways like the Belize River to move goods, people, and valuables between city-states. Honorable mention to Eric, who was not one of our tour guides, but brought a group into ATM the same day with us, and seemed just as as amazing. Awesome, we are ready to have the adventure of a lifetime! CARACOL MAYA TOUR. Not only did he say he could take me; he also said he might get others to join too due to ATM being cancelled because of to the rains. Belize Caracol Mayan Ruins Tours | Rio Frio Cave Exploration - Maya Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Revel at the engineering and architectural sophistication of the Mayan people as you climb the temple pyramid structure of Caana (Sky Temple), the highest man-made building in Belize to this day. Tour With The Locals. He was patient and great with answering our questions. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Mobile ticket. Whether you're traveling to Belize City on your own or by cruise ship, you can confidently book with us to ensure the best price and experience on your mayan ruins excursion. What a marvellous review and thanks for giving us a 5-star review. Caracol Maya Ruins is located in the Cayo District, deep in the jungles of the Chiquibul Reserve and the tour includes a visit to the on site museum that hosts the ancient artifacts narrating the story of Caracol in it's era. We learned so much about the beautiful country of Belize! Whether you are in the mood for a leisurely tour or a more rugged adventure, Mayawalk Tours can help you plan a special trip that you will remember for a lifetime. The office staff was flexible in re-arranging, helped coordinate shuttles and luggage transfers, sent us photos and generally did an outstanding job. Taxes are additional at 12.5%. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This is a fantastic site to visit, set high on the Vaca Plateau, in the heart of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve (a subtropical forest south of San Ignacio near the Guatemalan border). Again many Thanks, Hi. The company is Belizean owned by a brother and sister who grew up on the island. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. BZM Tours is the Best, Our tour guide Albert took us on a fantastic trip during our Belize weekend stay. About this tour. We cannot recommend this resort enough! We made a stop at the Rio Pools and Cave on our way back which was a great ending of our day. Recommended. His knowledge of the ruins is incredible. Translated into Submerged Crocodile in Yucatec Mayan, this site was one one of the last active Maya sites in Belize. very happy that you enjoyed my tours of Belize, do come back some other time there is plenty of adventures with me, Hope our paths will cross again in the near future. At the end of the tour, we will head to Bennys Kitchen afavorite local spot. Get Ready To Explore The Xunantunich Mayan Ruins With Tour Guide, Bruno. There is a most impressive stucco frieze on the East side of the temple, whose carved elements represent astrological symbols. Our local guides are more than happy to share their knowledge about the archaeology .
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