Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BZD
- Best months
- Dec–May
- avoid Jun–Nov (rainy season)
- Airports
- Philip S. W. Goldson (BZE) · San Ignacio Town Airstrip (CYD) · Sir Barry Bowen Municipal (TZA)
- Nights
- 0 (half‑day visit)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Belize ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Belize's Immigration Department or a Belizean embassy before booking.
- Belize ↗Snorkel and dive in the marine reserves only with licensed guides; do not touch coral or feed marine life.
- Belize ↗Leaving by land or sea costs BZ$40 (US$20) in cash at the border or dock; the air departure tax is in your ticket.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Xunantunich911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Xunantunich, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Belize dollar (BZD, $), fixed at 2 to 1 US dollar; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.Belize-wide
- SIM or eSIMDigi (Belize Telemedia) and Smart sell SIMs at the airport and in towns; bring your passport.Belize-wide
- Tap waterTreated water in Belize City and San Pedro; most visitors drink bottled or filtered.Belize-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10–15% if no service charge.Belize-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/G. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Belize-wide
- SafetyXunantunich is generally safe; keep valuables secure, watch for steep steps, and avoid the ferry after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; bring paper for bus stops.Belize-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance · 90 General emergency
- Sundays & holidaysMany businesses close on Sundays in small towns and on Good Friday.Belize-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBZE Philip S.
- Getting aroundTake 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.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi to ferry (green plate)BZ$8–10
- Metro or bus rideBus to ferry (Benque direction)BZ$2.50
- Museum or sight ticketSite admission (foreign visitor)BZ$25
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BZ$30–45 · Mid BZ$45–70 · High BZ$70+
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- 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).)
Map of Xunantunich
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Xunantunich
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Melchor de Mencos · 2.6 km straight line
- Belmopan · 43 km straight line
- El Remate · 60 km straight line
- Dolores · 70 km straight line
- San Miguel · 80 km straight line
- Flores · 81 km straight line
- San José · 82 km straight line
- San Andrés · 84 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Jun–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Mar (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Xunantunich: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting 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.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
- San Ignacio full guide10 km (6.2 mi)6.2 mi (10 km) north-east of Xunantunich
From San Ignacio: Taxi or shuttle west, about 25 minutes, then a free hand-cranked ferry at San José Succotz · Half day
- Roatán full guide290 km (180 mi)180 mi (290 km) east of Xunantunich
- Antigua Guatemala full guide330 km (205 mi)205 mi (330 km) south-west of Xunantunich
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30–45 min
Bus from the highway (any bus toward San Ignacio) or taxi
Most visitors base themselves here.
Benque Viejo del Carmen
goDoor to door: 15–20 min
Bus or taxi, 5–10 min
Overnight option with river tubing and spa.
Cahal Pech
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
Taxi from San Ignacio, 10 min
Smaller Maya site near San Ignacio.
Caracol
cautionDoor to door: Full day
Guided tour from San Ignacio, 1.5–2 h drive
Larger site, requires a full-day tour; check road conditions.
Tikal (Guatemala)
cautionDoor to door: 3–4 h
Bus or taxi to the border, then onward to Tikal
Cross-border trip; allow a full day and carry passport.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- BZ$30–45 excl. bed
- Mid
- BZ$45–70 excl. bed
- High
- BZ$70+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| 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)vendor prices vary | BZ$1–2 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
- General emergency
- 90
Pocket card
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XunantunichXunantunich
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / ambulance911
- General emergency90
Embassy
US consulate in Belize City; Belizean emergency number 911.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- 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
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (kwahn-toh kwehs-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la balsa? — Where is the ferry? (don-deh es-tah lah bal-sah)
- Quisiera agua, por favor — I would like water, please (kee-syeh-rah ah-gwah por fah-bor)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Xunantunich. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May · avoid Jun–Nov (rainy season) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Xunantunich
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