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Voykit pocket guide · Belize
Xunantunich
Visit Xunantunich as a half‑day trip from San Ignacio; no overnight stay needed.
Xunantunich is a hill‑top Maya ruin near San Ignacio, reachable by bus or taxi and a short ferry crossing. Most of the main plazas and El Castillo can be explored in 2–3 hours, so a single day (or half‑day from San Ignacio) is sufficient. Overnight accommodation is only needed if you prefer to stay in nearby Benque for a relaxed schedule.
- Country
- Belize
- Best months
- Dec–May
- Avoid
- Jun–Nov (rainy season)
- Stay
- 0 (half‑day visit) nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BZD
- Money
- Currency is the Belize dollar (BZD, $), fixed at 2 to 1 US dollar; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere. Check which dollar a price is in.
- Daily spend
- Budget BZ$30–45 excl. bed · Mid BZ$45–70 excl. bed · High BZ$70+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Digi (Belize Telemedia) and Smart sell SIMs at the airport and in towns; bring your passport.
- Emergency
- Police / ambulance 911 · General emergency 90
- Plugs
- Types A, B, G · 110 V (some 220 V) · 60 Hz · US plugs usually fit.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10–15% if no service charge.; Tour guides and boat crew: BZ$20–40 per person per day.; Taxi drivers: Not expected; round up.
- Water
- Treated water in Belize City and San Pedro; most visitors drink bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; bring paper for bus stops.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus to ferry (Benque direction) | BZ$2.50 |
| Taxi to ferry (green plate) | BZ$8–10 |
| Site admission (foreign visitor) | BZ$25 |
| Site admission (resident) | BZ$10 |
| Water bottle (bottled) | BZ$1–2 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BZE · Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (Belize City)
- Main international gateway; about 2 h by road to San Ignacio, then bus or taxi to the Xunantunich ferry (check).
- CYD · San Ignacio Town Airstrip
- Small airstrip near San Ignacio; onward by taxi or bus toward Benque Viejo, about 30 min to the ferry (check).
- TZA · Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport (Belize City)
- Domestic flights; connect onward by road to Cayo, then local bus or taxi to the ferry (check).
Typical fares
- Bus San Ignacio → ferry (Benque direction)
- about BZ$2.50, 30 min (check)
- Taxi San Ignacio → ferry (green plate)
- BZ$8–10, 15 min (check)
- Entry fee (foreign)
- BZ$25 per person
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Take a bus toward Benque Viejo (BZ$2.50) or a green‑plate taxi (BZ$8–10) to the hand‑cranked ferry, then walk ~1 mi uphill. The site is explored on foot via marked paths.
See and do
Known for
- Maya ruins
- El Castillo
- hand‑cranked ferry crossing
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| San Ignacio | Bus from the highway (any bus toward San Ignacio) or taxi | 30–45 min |
| Benque Viejo del Carmen | Bus or taxi, 5–10 min | 15–20 min |
| Cahal Pech | Taxi from San Ignacio, 10 min | 20–30 min |
| Caracol | Guided tour from San Ignacio, 1.5–2 h drive | Full day |
| Tikal (Guatemala) | Bus or taxi to the border, then onward to Tikal | 3–4 h |
Sleep
- Benque Resort and Spa
- From BZ$111 per double room with AC; near the river and a short bus ride from Xunantunich.
- The Trek Stop
- Cabins and camping on the outskirts of San José Succotz; basic facilities, no fixed price listed.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwahn-toh kwehs-tah |
| Where is the ferry? | ¿Dónde está la balsa?don-deh es-tah lah bal-sah |
| I would like water, please | Quisiera agua, por favorkee-syeh-rah ah-gwah por fah-bor |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'good morning' or 'good evening' when entering shops and buses; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Pace: Relax; service is slow; avoid: Showing impatience
- Photography: Ask first; avoid: Photographing Mennonites and Maya villagers without consent
- Dress: Cover up away from the beach; avoid: Swimwear in town
Scams and watch-outs
- Last ferry arrival is about 1 h 45 min before park closes (4 PM); allow extra time for the steep walk.
- Guided groups limited to 15 visitors; book a licensed guide if you want detailed commentary.
- Steep stairs on El Castillo; avoid climbing in heavy rain or thunderstorms.
Xunantunich is generally safe; keep valuables secure, watch for steep steps, and avoid the ferry after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Xunantunich yet. Suggested stay: 0 (half‑day visit) nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Maya ruins
- El Castillo
- hand‑cranked ferry crossing
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Xunantunich, revision 5324028 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5324028
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/xunantunich). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.