Xunantunich + Inland Blue Hole

As we embark on this 100-mile drive through the hills of the country, you’ll encounter breathtaking views of the mountains as we make our way to the Western Highway. We’ll pass Maya and Mestizo communities with their beautifully maintained farmlands and cattle farms. 

Once we come to the banks of the Mopan River, we will cross on a hand-operated ferry before arriving across grassy plazas, where you will marvel at the architecture of El Castillo, one of the largest Maya Temples of Belize, and the largest structure at Xunantunich. 

El Castillo stands 130 feet above plaza level, with its reconstructed East and West friezes representing Gods of the Maya and several inner chambers. We’ll also move through other temples and courtyards where kings, queens, and their elite carried out special ceremonies. Xunantunich has an excellent display center at the site, and you will have a chance to climb the “stairway to heaven” on El Castillo. 

This vantage point provides a breathtaking panoramic view of surrounding rivers and towns as well as Guatemala. After the tour, we enjoy a nice meal at a local restaurant in the town of San Ignacio. 

We make a stop on the way back on the Hummingbird Highway at St Herman Blue Hole for its natural turquoise pool surrounded by mosses and lush vegetation the perfect spot for an afternoon swim.