Xunantunich Excursion
Xunantunich
Is a Maya archaeological site in Belize’s western District, Cayo. Approximately 80 miles (130 km) west of Belize City (Latitude: 17.083 - Longitude: -89.133). Xunantunich is located on top a ridge above the Mopan River, within sight of the Guatemalan border. Its name means "Maiden of the rock" or “Stone woman” in the Maya language (Mopan and Yucatec combination names), and like many names given to Maya archaeological sites, is a modern name; the ancient name is currently unknown. The "Maiden of the rock " or “Stone woman”, refers to the ghost of a woman claimed by several people to inhabit the site, beginning in 1892. She is dressed completely in white, and has fire-red glowing eyes. She generally appears in front of El Castillo, ascends the stone stairs, and disappears into a stone wall.
Most of the structures date from the Maya Classic Era, about 200 to 900 AD. There is evidence, that some structures were damaged by an earthquake while they were occupied; this earthquake may have been a reason for the site's abandonment. The core of Xunantunich occupies about one square mile (2.6 km²), consisting of a series of six plazas surrounded by more than 26 temples and palaces. One of its structures, the pyramid known as "El Castillo," is the second tallest structure in Belize (after the temple at Caracol), at some 130 feet (40 m) tall. Archeological excavations have revealed a number of fine stucco facades on some of the ancient temples of this site. Evidence of construction suggests the temple was built in three stages in the 600, 700, and 800 AD. The fine stucco frieze, are located on the final stage.
The first modern explorations of the site were conducted by Thomas Gann in 1894 and 1895. Several projects of archeological excavations have been conducted at the site from the 1930s through the 1990s. One of the best preserved ancient stelae, is housed in a small weatherproofed building for conservation purposes. This artefact is a large stelae dated within the period 200 BC to 150 AD; it depicts a Maya figure facing left. The figure is striding and clothed only in armbands. Other nearby Maya archaeological sites includes Chaa Creek, and Cahal Pech.
Belize Cruise Port
Belize Cruise Port
- Sunblock
- Insect Repellant (we will be in the jungle)
- Camera to capture this once in a lifetime experience
What is included?
- Air conditioned, fully licensed and insured transportation
- Round trip transportation from your cruise ship terminal
- Certified English speaking excursion guides
- National park fees and entrance fees
- Bottled water
Belizecruisequest Cancellation policy
- Belizecruisequest will allow fully refundable cancellations, by the Guest, prior to 11 days.This means that the Guest should check the itineraries prior to entering the cancellation penalty period, which is 11 days prior to the tour date.
- If you have paid for your tour in full, the penalty for cancellation within 10 days of booking, is 50%.
- In some cases, Belizecruisequest may cancel a tour due to weather or other circumstances. In the event that the Belizecruisequest cancels the tour, you may choose between a rescheduling of the tour, a full refund of all monies paid OR a credit towards an alternative tour. If you choose to accept a credit, the difference in the cost of the alternative tour will be refunded or paid by you as applicable.
- If conditions make it impossible for the Cruiseship to anchor and disembark passengers in a timely manner, or if the vendor must cancel due to equipment or weather problems, Belizecruisequest will not allow any refund of payments.
- Delays or cancellation of airline flights or other modes of transportation used to arrive to the port or location of the Belizecruisequest activity, will not be taken into consideration in the determination of a refund for unused services.
- The Guest/ Group must notify Belizacruisequest within 12 days after the Belizecruisequest’s date of any problem that may have occurred. The notification must be in writing. Emails of the aforesaid situation must be sent to belizecruisequest@gmail.com . Belizacruisequest reserves the right to properly vet any information received, and a decision on any, partial or no refund, will be based on the information gathered.
- Group bookings are non-refundable if the tour price is based on a specific number of participants 10 Guests or less.
- Any bookings made three days in advance, will be non-refundable.
- Any Guest with special needs, Belizecruisequest will not be responsible if that Guest(s) are not satisfied with a tour, if Belizecruisequest was not properly informed of such special needs prior to the tour.
- Belizecruisequest trust that our tour operator performs adequately and delivers to the Guests the highest level of professionalism.
- Customers who dispute a Belizecruisequest credit card charge by filing chargeback notice with their credit card companies, will be charged a $50.00 USD administrative fee (per chargeback notice) by Belizecruisequest if the chargeback is ruled in our favor by the financial institution.
- Belizecruisequest is not considered ‘booked’ until the purchaser agrees to these stipulations, confirms the request, and until the payment procedures have been satisfactorily carried out.