Horseback Ride to Xunantunich Maya Ruins
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
San Ignacio, Belize
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Journey to the ancient Mayan ruins of Xunantunich atop a trusty steed on a half-day horseback riding adventure from San Ignacio. Ride along the Mopan River and through a private organic farm for a unique way to reach the fascinating archaeological site, where you can explore the remains of royal palaces and one of Belize’s largest ceremonial temples with a guide.
- Half-day horseback ride to Xunantunich ruins from San Ignacio
- Unique and adventurous way to reach one of Belize's most impressive archaeological sites
- Ride through a traditional village and a private organic farm
- Explore the ancient Mayan ruins on foot with a guide
- No horseback riding experience required
- Tour can accommodate groups of up to 15 people
What's Included
- Local taxes
- National park fees
- Round-trip transfers between stables and San Ignacio town
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.7:30 am
Itinerary
Make your way to the meeting point in San Ignacio town on the morning of the tour, and enjoy transport to the nearby family-owned stables, where you'll be paired with one of more than 45 resident horses. Set off with your guide on a scenic trail ride that passes through a private organic farm and the traditional village of San Jose Succotz, keeping an eye out for native birds, monkeys, and plant species along the way. Cross the Mopan River on a historic hand-cranked ferry, and ride up to the hilltop site of Xunantunich.
Dismount with the help of your guide and explore the impressive archaeological site by foot. Learn the long history behind the once-powerful city that served as an important trading and ceremonial site in Mesoamerica as you walk along the ruins of palaces, temples, a marketplace, a ball court, and bathhouses. If you like, climb to the top of the El Castillo stone pyramid — one of the tallest in Belize — for stunning panoramic views of the surrounding jungle.
After getting your fill of archaeological adventure, climb back on your horse. Give your horse a farewell pat back at the stables, and return to the original departure point in San Ignacio. The total tour time is flexible and typically ranges from 4–6 hours, based on the preferred pace of the group.
Dismount with the help of your guide and explore the impressive archaeological site by foot. Learn the long history behind the once-powerful city that served as an important trading and ceremonial site in Mesoamerica as you walk along the ruins of palaces, temples, a marketplace, a ball court, and bathhouses. If you like, climb to the top of the El Castillo stone pyramid — one of the tallest in Belize — for stunning panoramic views of the surrounding jungle.
After getting your fill of archaeological adventure, climb back on your horse. Give your horse a farewell pat back at the stables, and return to the original departure point in San Ignacio. The total tour time is flexible and typically ranges from 4–6 hours, based on the preferred pace of the group.
1
San Ignacio
Admission Ticket Free
2
Xunantunich
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult and must be 3 years and older
- All passenger heights and weights MUST be advised at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Weight limit: 250 lbs (113.4 kg) per person
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Elizabeth_M
This was super fun and our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. We would highly recommend this tour!
Reviews
4.6
based on 48 reviews
Anna_K, Dec 2025
Our tour was actually canceled due to weather but the tour provider MayanWalk reached out and helped rebook, offering several options. Although I can't rate this tour, the customer service was great!
Inge_v, Nov 2025
They cancelled our tour the evening before because of an ‘emergency’. This Viator tour is managed by MayaWalks tour operation. We contacted the stables directly (St leonards) and they sad it’s not true, just it was fully booked. We booked an afternoon ride direclty and was great.
Mayawalks did not do any effort to offer other horse rides. The da before are ATM tour (via Viator - mayawals) got also cancelled because to much rain in the caves. They can not do anything about it but they told us de morning of the tour when we we ready to go. Would also be nice if they gave us a heads up before… It’s something they should mention in the Viator description of the atm cave tour.
Conclusion in dutch for reisjunk readers: vind op google maps St Leonards Tours en boek direct via de eigen website van de manage!
Christian_G, Oct 2025
Fantastic experience! Ian was amazing and showed us different things along the way. The horses were easy to ride for a beginner and was a unique opportunity.
Dana_J, Jul 2025
Nice ride to the ruins next to the river. The ferry crossing was cool. Miguel and Carla were very informative!
Elizabeth_M, Feb 2025
This was super fun and our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. We would highly recommend this tour!
Kristen_T, Mar 2024
Beautiful trail ride through the countryside and along the river. Then, we could spend time at the ruins exploring. The guide was amazing and knowledgeable for the horse and explaining about the ruins. The horses were lovely and behaved. It was an adventure!
Tracey_D, Jan 2024
The staff was so friendly and accommodating. We had a couple hiccups with scheduling and they went above and beyond helping. It was definitely an enjoyable and memorable experience!
Sandra_F, Sep 2023
Our Tour guide Elio was Amazing, funny, very knowledgeable and personable.
Would definitely recommend him for a great travel experience and he made out trip very memorable!
Darryl_M, Jun 2023
Elio was an awesome guide on our horseback tour to Xunantunich Maya Ruins. Along the way, to and from the ruins, he pointed out many plants and trees that the Mayans used for medicine and in rituals. Elio knows quite a bit about the Mayan culture. It was very interesting getting this perspective of the Mayans along with the actual structures that they built. How they did that is Amazing. Elio also pointed out some animals native the the area as we rode through the forest. Iguanas, Howler Monkeys. Toucans @nd manny others were right along the horse trail.
My wife rode Noah and I rode Ketura. These were very nice horses to ride.
All in all it was a fantastic day of horseback riding and a tour of the Xunantunich Ruins.
We would surely do it again and have told our friends about it.
Thank you so much!!!!
Karen_F, Jan 2023
The subcontracted company that provided the horse riding were excellent.
But the advertised lunch that was supposed to be included in the price wasn’t. Maya tours told us that they do not offer this service and that Viator was responsible for the false advertising.
Farley_S, Apr 2022
Great experience. Guide was excellent and the care of horses was great very healthy. Would use them again if we revist Belize.
Orsola_F, Mar 2022
It was a great experience..learning how to kayak at the same time..going threw the caves was great..lmao falling off my kayak was the funniest..the tour was amazing..seeing the wonderful sites in the cave was a also great
Sarah_W, Dec 2021
Carla, Jose, and Ricky were great! Our fam of 3 had a great time! We got to see monkeys and iguanas and learn about the area on our way to Xunantunich. The horses were great, the guides were great, the site was great!
nadiamckinnis, Nov 2021
We had a great experience with this tour operator. Our guides were attentive and knowledgeable. Good organization.
Annalisa_A, Jul 2021
We had the best time! The horses were perfect, and the staff was so kind. The guide was also really knowledgeable and was able to tell us so much about Xunantunich. Would definitely go again!
Amelia S, Jun 2017
This was an exceptional tour. Our guide William we very knowledgeable not only of the Mayan sites but nature and Belize history in general.
Casey J, Nov 2016
Great tour. Loved the horse ride, walking the ruins, and learning the history of the Mayans. The horses were great and well trained, making this a wonderful experience for my daughter's first time riding a horse. I would recommend this trip to anyone visiting Belize.
Carolyn_S, Jul 2016
Good tour. I guess I was a little tired after my 4th Mayan ruin. We did not get to horseback ride onto the ruin due to undisclosed reasons, but we did have a 2 hour ride/waterfall swim later that day in place of the morning ride. Be careful: Horseback riding can be uncomfortable :
Michael T, Mar 2016
Everything and everyone was wonderful! My wife is a professional horse trainer, and she impressed with the care and concern the staff had not only for their customers, but their horses as well. Often horses at these types of stables catering to tourists are ill treated, overworked, etc. Our guides were knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna as well as the local community and culture.
From $145.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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