Xunantunich horseback riding tour
Recommended by 99% of travelers
San Ignacio, Belize
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Ride a horse to the Maya ceremonial center of Xunantunich on this small-group tour from a riding stable in San Ignacio. Follow your guide along the gentle Mopan River, and watch for tropical birds and howler monkeys among the trees. Enjoy a sweeping view of the Xunantunich complex, then spend an hour at the fascinating site; take in the towering El Castillo pyramid and enjoy the serenity of the rural spot as you ride through the partially excavated ruins before returning to San Ignacio.
- A small group and riding guide ensures a safe adventure
- All necessary equipment and admission tickets included
- The ease of free hotel pickup and drop-off from San Ignacio
- A unique way to explore Xunantunich for any age or skill level
What's Included
- bottle water, riding helmet, entrance fee to Xunantunich
- Local, professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in San Ignacio
- pickups & drop offs OUTSIDE San Ignacio Town
- Gratuities
- pickups OUTSIDE San Ignacio Town must be arranged with local provider prior to tour date.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
pickup starts 7:30am IN TOWN. HOTELs/RESORTs OUTSIDE of San Ignacio town will have an Additional fees for pickup & drop off depending on its location out of town & pickup time OUT OF TOWN depends on distance out of town. rider's WEIGHT will be confirmed at our St Leonard's stable. NO PICKUPS available for hotels/resorts in BELIZE CITY, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Hopkins, Placencia. Guests are advised to spend an overnight in San Ignacio Town or use own transport or shuttle. TOUR NOT AVAILABLE to cruise ship passengers due to duration of tour and driving distance to & from cruise ship terminals THIS is a SHARED TOUR, tours can be 2-14ppl, (groups of 10-14ppl are rare but can happen during high season)
Operating hours.7:30 am
What To Expect
1
Xunantunich
2
St. Leonard's Tours
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- min of 2 adults; MAX of 14 pax; WEIGHT LIMIT 245 lbs per rider
- ATTIRE recommended: Any long pants, comfortable closed toes footwear
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended (NO FLIP FLOPs)
- NB: SHARED group tours start with 730am pickups in town OR earlier if OUT of town
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Conrade_N
We did the horse ride thru the jungle to the Xunantunich Myan Historical site, it was a very awesome ride, with fun, incredibly knowledgeable guides.
Jose and the other guide were also super helpful and patient with us both, with it being the first time on a horse, and provided extra help to my wife when needed to get on or off the horse. Would definitely recommend the tour! Thank you Jose and to the helper that walked along with us the whole way to manage the horses. This was so much fun! Highly recommend!
Reviews
5.0
based on 164 reviews
Laura_M, Mar 2026
The stables carefully matched riders to horses taking account of experience and comfort levels. As well as the man and horse leading, there was a second staff member (owner and guide) who walked with us, giving advice and checking on us. The ride is mostly along the river and we saw a huge iguana a d a howler monkey! The guide was very knowledgeable at the ruin and we learned a lot.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with St Leonard’s—it means a lot to us to know you felt comfortable and well cared for throughout the ride. We love carefully matching each rider with the right horse so everyone can relax, enjoy the beautiful river trails, and experience special wildlife moments like spotting iguanas and howler monkeys. Hearing that you also enjoyed learning about the ruins makes us incredibly happy, because at St Leonard’s we hope every ride leaves our guests with both wonderful memories and a deeper connection to Belize.
Colin_C, Mar 2026
Super fun riding the horses, beautiful trail, and very informational about Xunantunich. Jose was a great guide and made sure we all has a fun safe time
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for taking time to write a review. We are so glad you had a wonderful day with St Leonard's and Jose riding to Xunantunich. Thank you and we look forward to hosting you again some day.
Angelica_S, Feb 2026
The horses look very well cared for and in great health. They were also calm and not spooked easily. Our guide Carla obviously loved the horses and the Mayan history. She was very friendly and knowledgeable, and I learned a lot from her. The ride is a lovely path next to the river for most of the way, except for a small patch of road, but the horses didn’t mind the cars at all.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for noticing the care we put into our horses at St Leonard’s—their comfort and wellbeing mean so much to us.
Carla truly loves sharing both the horses and the rich Mayan history, and it’s wonderful to hear that her passion made your ride even more special.
That peaceful path along the river is one of our favourite places to slow down and really take in the beauty of Belize. We hope the memories you made with Carla and the horses stay with you long after your adventure with St Leonard’s.
Jennifer_D, Feb 2026
Lots of time in the saddle, knowledgeable guide, beautiful route, well trained horses, impressive ruins, kid friendly (my 7 year old loved the horseback riding)
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful glimpse into your family adventure with us at St. Leonard's.
We are so happy to hear that your 7-year-old felt the same magic in the saddle that we do every day, especially while exploring the awe-inspiring paths to the ruins.
Carla and the rest of our team take such pride in our well-trained horses, ensuring they are gentle partners for even our youngest explorers. We truly believe that these peaceful moments in nature create the best lifelong memories, and we can't wait to welcome your family back to the farm for more sunshine and trail rides!
Trevor_E, Feb 2026
Great experience from start to finish! Easy meet-up in San Ignacio, and we appreciated the round-trip transportation to their stables. We had a great trip with Mark, who talked to us throughout the ride, checking on our comfort and also giving information on local plants, animals, and Mayan history. We had a nice tour through the ruins and never felt rushed, before our 2nd ride back to the stables. Highly recommended to support this family-run operation!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
It was such a joy to read about your adventure, and we are so grateful you chose to spend your day with our family at St Leonard's.
We truly believe that the bond between people and a horse is special, so hearing that Mark’s attentive care made you feel both comfortable and connected means so much to us.
There is a rare kind of peace found in wandering through ancient Maya history at your own pace, away from the rush of the modern world. We love that the transport and transitions were seamless for you, allowing you to simply exhale and soak in the beauty of our local plants and wildlife. Thank you for supporting a family-run dream; we can’t wait to welcome you back to the farm for another ride through the mist
Malaya_D, Jun 2025
Everyone was nice it was such a great experience I have never rode a horse before but I felt very secured and they were very helpful just inform them if you have never rode a horse before and they will help you and give you a horse that best fits your criteria
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We’re so happy you felt safe and supported—our team at St. Leonard’s takes great pride in guiding first-time riders on an unforgettable journey. Riding horses to the Xunantunich on horseback is more than just a tour; it’s a peaceful, soul-stirring adventure through Belize’s history and beauty.
Thank you once again for taking time to write a review.
PAMELA_B, Jun 2025
We enjoyed it. The horses were matched to each person in or group. The crew were knowledgeable, helpful and friendly with a touch of humor. We traveled a trail and the guides pointed out various sites along the way. All in all a worthwhile adventure.
A special "thank you" to the guides...
We had a heat exhaustion episode and they responded quickly by providing water and medical support and delivered the individual to safety. The guys were great, thanks for helping us through this adventure.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us—we’re truly grateful for your kind words.
At St. Leonard’s, we take pride in carefully matching each rider with the right horse and making every journey to Xunantunich both enjoyable and meaningful.
Our team is passionate about what they do, blending knowledge, humor, and heart into every step of the ride. We're especially thankful you recognized the swift care and support provided during the heat exhaustion episode—your well-being is always our top priority. It was an honour to guide your group, and we’re so glad you felt safe and supported throughout this unforgettable adventure. Thank you once again.
Carrie_E, Jun 2025
Very enjoyable, beautiful trail, Jose was fun and knowledgeable! Worth the ride you will love the ruins.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so glad you enjoyed the ride with Jose—he's a cherished part of our St. Leonard’s team and loves sharing the beauty of the trail. Riding to the awe-inspiring Xunantunich ruins from St. Leonard’s truly is a journey you’ll never forget.
Amy_H, Mar 2025
They were wonderful with my 7-yr old, and we had a great time! Riding along the river to the ruins was magical. Would definitely recommend for families.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for your kind words!
We’re so glad you and your 7-year-old had a magical experience riding along the river to the ruins with St. Leonard’s. Our team takes great care in creating a fun and safe adventure for families, and we’re happy to hear you had a great time.
Exploring the ruins on horseback truly is a unique way to experience Belize’s beauty and history. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable ride!
Conrade_N, Jan 2025
We did the horse ride thru the jungle to the Xunantunich Myan Historical site, it was a very awesome ride, with fun, incredibly knowledgeable guides.
Jose and the other guide were also super helpful and patient with us both, with it being the first time on a horse, and provided extra help to my wife when needed to get on or off the horse. Would definitely recommend the tour! Thank you Jose and to the helper that walked along with us the whole way to manage the horses. This was so much fun! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re thrilled you enjoyed your experience and truly appreciate you sharing it with others.
Horseback riding to Xunantunich offers a unique and unforgettable way to immerse yourself in the stunning jungle scenery and ancient Maya history, making your journey as incredible as the destination itself—hope to see you again for more adventures!"
Patty_T, Jul 2024
We wanted to not just visit the ruin but have an adventure in doing so. We signed up with St Leonard's stable and had the best time. The staff was so helpful, attentive and took excellent care of us. But the icing on the cake was our wonderful tour guide. She was amazing, full of information and actually grew up and played on the ruins as a child. She brought the ruins to life explaining all about the Mayans since she is also Mayan. We were loved on all day and had a very memorable time. We highly recommend this excursion to anyone who wants to experience an adventure in the beautiful country of Belize and see more of nature and learn about the Mayan history. The horses were also easy to ride and safe for any age.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you for such a lovely 5 star review!!
Carla is indeed an amazing guide and a real joy to go on tour with. We are so happy you had a great day with her horseback riding to Xunantunich.
Providing life enriching adventures is a key goal her at St Leonard's and when we get great feedback like yours then it tells us we are on our way!!
Thank you so much for your kind words and simply for taking time to write a review.
We really appreciate hearing from you.
Suzi_C, Jul 2024
Our trip was amazing! Jose was wonderful and we have additional helper to help with our little ones( 6yo and 9yo). They both got their own horses and loved the day!! The horseback riding was beautiful to the ruins and Jose continued to give us a tour of Xunantuich. Couldn’t have asked for. Better start to our trip!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for taking time to write a five-star review.
Jose and Mark are great guides and really enjoy what they do. Taking extra care of younger children is part of our long standing commitment to safety and comfort and we really appreciate your gratitude in this regard.
Thank you for choosing St Leonard's and we look forward to having you join us again some day.
Joseph_D, Jun 2024
This was amazing! I don't know which was better; the site and history or the horseback riding through the jungle and along the river. Jose and Mark were all-stars and this was an excellent experience.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you for taking time to write a review.
We are so happy you had a great experience with St Leonard's and our guides Mark and Jose.
Thank you once again and we look forward to having you join us gain some day.
Nicole_S, Mar 2024
The tour meet all of our expectations! The horses were easy to ride even with minimal experience, the tour guides were helpful and knowledgeable and the ruins were amazing- we were able to climb to the top. It can get a bit hot (we went in March) so bring sunscreen and layers and the guides were great about bringing and encouraging water. The only thing I would say to keep in mind is that the majority of time felt horse related and less so time at the ruins but it felt like enough time to see and learn as Jose, our guide, was very knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for taking time to write such a great review.
At St. Leonard's, we take pride in providing unforgettable experiences, and it's wonderful to hear that you found the horses easy to ride and the tour guides helpful and knowledgeable.
Exploring the amazing ruins and climbing to the top must have been truly remarkable. We understand the importance of staying hydrated, especially in the heat, and our guides always prioritize the well-being of our guests by encouraging water breaks. Your feedback regarding the balance of time spent on horseback versus at the ruins is valuable, and we'll certainly take it into consideration for future tours. We're glad Jose was able to enrich your experience with his expertise. Thank you for choosing St. Leonard's, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon!
Anne_W, Mar 2024
Wonderful trip to Xunantunich with my girls. One is an avid horsewoman, the other is slightly afraid of horses. They both had a great time, the horses were matched to their abilities. Our guides were fabulous, kept a watchful eye and provided a wonderful tour of the site. Loved riding along the river and making the ferry crossing with the horses. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for taking time to write a review.
We're very happy to hear that you and your girls had a wonderful trip to Xunantunich with us at St Leonard's! It's heartwarming to know that both the avid horsewoman and the one slightly afraid of horses had a great time, with the horses matched perfectly to their abilities. Our guides take great care in ensuring the comfort and enjoyment of all our guests, and we're delighted that they provided a fabulous tour of the site, including the memorable ride along the river and ferry crossing with the horses. Thank you for your kind words and recommendation; we look forward to welcoming you all back for more unforgettable adventures in the future!
salina_s, Feb 2024
We had an incredible ride to the ruins!! It was my son’s first time and he did really well due to their guidance and amazing staff. It was definitely a memorable experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you for your kind words Salina and welcome home!
We're thrilled to hear that you and your son had an incredible ride to the ruins! It's always special when we can be a part of someone's first experience, and we're delighted that our guidance and staff made it a memorable one for both of you. Thank you for choosing St Leonard's to be a part of your adventure, and we hope to see you again for more unforgettable experiences in the future!
Mary_R, Jan 2024
Lovely ride and interesting ruins. Rodolfo and his wife Carla are absolutely wonderful—so smart and down to earth. They made everyone feel safe and comfortable on the horses. He’s a fabulous tour guide. So knowledgeable and personable. If you want to support a small business, please go with them. You’ll have a wonderful time.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thank you so much for such kind words Mary!
It was wonderful having you and little Joe ride with us!!
At St Leonard's we try to make each tour as personable as possible for everyone. We are so glad you had a great day with Rodolfo. He is one of our lead guides and we are so happy to have him fully onboard with us going forward.
Thank you once again and we look forward to having you join us again some day.
Colleen_J, Dec 2023
We originally were supposed to just horseback ride, but when we got picked up we voiced how a different cube tubing experience was canceled and we were upset about it. They instantly changed our day around and allowed us to horseback ride, Xunantunich AND tubing. Carla was amazing and so knowledgeable. Recommend this 10/10
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thank you for your kind words. They are really appreciated.
It's fantastic to hear how flexible and accommodating your experience with us turned out to be! We're thrilled that despite the initial change in plans, Carla and the St Leonard's team swiftly reorganized your day, allowing you to enjoy not just horseback riding but also the Xunantunich exploration and tubing. Carla's expertise and dedication truly shine through in ensuring you had a memorable and enriching experience. Thank you for your recommendation and your perfect rating – it means the world to us!
Ramin_M, Apr 2023
10/10 experience. Rod and Carla were awesome. As well as Miguel. The horses were great. The trek was awesome and beautiful. The ruins were superb. Very informative. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, May 2023
Thank you for writing a review Ramin.
It was great having you and your lovely wife join us on tour up to Xunantunich. Thank you for sharing your joie de vivre with all of us and smiling despite the heat!!
Thank you once again and we look forward to meeting you both again some day.
Cassandra_T, Apr 2023
We had the best time. We learn a tremendous amount from our guide Eleo and loved the education in the Mayan culture. The ride though farm land, and along the river was scenic and a great way to see the countryside. We saw monkeys and tucans too. Highly recommend the ride.
Response from Host, Apr 2023
We are very grateful for your feedback. We are so glad you enjoyed your ride to the Mayan site of Xunantunich and enjoyed seeing all the wildlife.
We look forward to having you join us again some day.
Matthew_F, Mar 2023
Nothing short of amazing! Would wholeheartedly recommend. Helped that we had minimal horse experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Thank you for taking time to write a review. We really appreciate hearing from you.
Jill_h, Mar 2023
We had a great day and our guide cara was really patient and knowledgeable
We would recommend this tour as you get 2 experiences
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Thank you for writing a review.
We are so glad you had a great day with Carla and the horses visiting Xunantunich. Carla is indeed patient and has a passion for sharing her love of the outdoors with everyone.
Tom_O, Mar 2023
This was a fantastic day, the horses were well trained, and the guide very knowledgeable, and an all round funny guy.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
We are so happy you had a fantastic day with St Leonard's riding to Xunantunich. We are all so glad when everyone has a great ride and we really appreciate your review.
Gregory_G, Dec 2022
Great tour guide, very knowledgeable.
Right amount of time for the tour.
The horses were very friendly.
Response from Host, Dec 2022
Your excellent review of your Xunantunich riding experience with us makes us GREAT - you make our team proud and encourages us to keep sharing what we love. Indeed, you all make us GREAT.Thank you.
christinaismith, Jun 2022
Ellio and Miguel were the best guides. We loved the horse back riding through the jungle. It was beautiful! The ruins were amazing. Ellio gave our family a private tour of the ruins. We learned so much about the Mayan culture. Thank you for the amazing time and taking good care of us.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Thank you for sharing your experience with other travelers.
Miguel and Elio are amazing guides and work hard to ensure you have a memorable day. We are so glad you had a wonderful day and we look forward to having you join us again.
Laura_M, Apr 2022
This was an amazing way to get to Xunantunich ruins!! The ride was beautiful and took you thru the countryside and along the the river. At the ruins we saw spider monkeys and iguanas and beautiful views. Our guides were friendly and very knowledgeable on the Maya history of the ruins. I highly recommend this tour!!
Response from Host, Apr 2022
Thank you for writing a review!
St Leonard's is happy you had a memorable tour.
We are glad you were able to see some of the wildlife and enjoy a great day at Xunantunich.
Our guides very hard to give everyone the best service possible.
Thank you once again for your kind words
Dean_S, Apr 2022
Absolutely amazing. Ellio was an exceptional guide - very knowledgeable and personable. We felt like we got a lot more out of the trip than we paid for.
Response from Host, Apr 2022
Thank you for writing a review.
We are very grateful that you chose to go horse riding to Xunantunich with St Leonard's tours and that you had a great day with the super personable Elio.
We look forward to having you join us again some day.
Kevin_P, Feb 2022
We had an amazing time with Elio! The horses and scenery was great and the site was beautiful! Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Feb 2022
Thank you for taking time to write a review.
St Leonard's really appreciates your feedback and we are so happy you had an a wonderful day with an amazing guide.
Kennitha_W, Sep 2021
The tour guide Alio was amazing!!! The entire trip, from pick up to the end exceeded my expectations. He was very knowledgeable, humorous, and patient. The horse experience to the Mayan ruin was breathtaking.
Response from Host, Sep 2021
Thank you for riding with us. We are very happy to know you had a great experience with us. Thank you and all the best.
Ariel_M, Aug 2021
I don't think you're going beat riding on horseback through Belizean valley for 1 hour to Xunatunich and then get a full education tour of the temples and ruins. THIS WAS INCREDIBLE. It even RAINED and it was still a gorgeous and life-changing experience. Emilio was informative, kind, respectful, funny, friendly and all-around efficient during our tour. This is not something you should pass up if you're going to Belize. Please book through this amazing group of people!!
Response from Host, Aug 2021
Thank you for taking time to write this review.
We are so happy you had a great day riding our horses, enjoying the Mayan site of Xunantunich and having a wonderful time with Elio. Elio is indeed an amazing guide and everyone at St Leonard's is happy you had a memorable time with us. Thank you once again and we look forward to having you join us again sometime in the future.
From $125.00
per person-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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