When you come to Belize, staying in the rainforest at a Belize eco resort ensures you’ll get the best experience. At Jaguar Creek, you’ll have the perfect perch to explore the Cayo District, and one of the most famed ancient Mayan sites of all, Xunantunich.
Don’t worry about trying to pronounce it. We’ll know what you mean! But if you are curious as to how to say it, it is pronounced as ‘shoo-nan-too-nitch,’ meaning ‘stone woman’ in Mayan as they say these ruins are haunted. We can arrange for your adventure to Xunantunich while you stay with us. It’s something you should not miss when you come to Belize!
What Is Xunantunich?
Xunantunich is an ancient sacred site on a hilltop, affording you beautiful views. Though it is believed to have been settled around the 1st century BC, nothing was developed by the Mayan people until the 7th century AD. Adding to the mystery, no one knows why this Mayan population collapsed and was completely gone by 1000 AD.
The excavated portion of Xunantunich takes up about 300 square meters of land. While that’s impressive, not all of it has been unearthed. El Castillo is the tallest structure that resembles a pyramid. It is believed that it was the ancestral shrine of the last ruling family. The entire compound is separated into plazas, and the visitor’s center has plenty of information on it if you want to submerge yourself into the details of the history.
A Great Adventure for Everyone
It is worth the climb up El Castillo to see the ruins from above. From this vantage point, it is bre athtaking, surrounded by the lush jungle foliage and rainforest. Xunantunich is one of the only archaeological attractions in Belize that is easy to reach too. You don’t have to squeeze through caves or trek through the jungle to get there.
Xunantunich is located in western Belize in the Cayo District. This is conveniently close to Jaguar Creek, making it even easier to explore. You will love taking the hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River to the other river bank. Ferries operate from 8am to 5pm though must be booked in advance as there is no set schedule. Your Jaguar Creek staff will ensure that these details are covered for a stress-free way to get too and from the ruins.
How to Experience Xunantunich
You can spend a day here at Xunantunich to discover everything there is to see. On the east end, you’ll be able to see the rain god, Chaac. Interestingly, El Castillo was once in the center of this village. But when they built the second construction, it doubled the size of the site and made this pyramid-like structure the southernmost point.
Another thing to see is the tomb under the main temple. It was only discovered in 2016, and it is one of the biggest tombs discovered in the country. To spend a day here, you will immediately be enveloped in the mystical ancient history of this place. It is mind-blowing to think that ancient people put this place together without the technology we have accessible today.
In 2016, a local team discovered a tomb of a Maya ruler underneath the main temple inXunantunich, one of the biggest tombs ever discovered in Belize. You’ll find carvings on the pyramid though these are replicas of the original. From up at the top, you can look out and see Guatemala.
Even though the site is supposedly haunted, don’t be alarmed by the weird sounds you hear from the trees. It is only the howler monkeys doing what they do best!
Why Stay at Jaguar Creek?
Jaguar Creek eco lodge Belize is right in the heart of the Cayo District, meaning that you’re close to this historic site. Our comfortable cabanas ensure you’ll get that proper rest ahead of your adventure, and give you a wonderful place to retreat to at the end of the day too.
We also have a mission of immersing you in Belizean culture in a most sustainable and authentic way. This is at the core of everything we do from the homecooked Belizeancuisine we make at our restaurant to our resort-style services. We advocate for the local community and the environment to give you the absolute best of Beliz throughout your stay.
Join us at our Belize eco resort and you’ll have the chance to see Xunantunichas well as explore everything else that makes this country so unique. It’s a prime place for weddings, honeymoons, family vacations, or retreats with friends, giving you a peaceful slice of paradise to serve as your ultimate escape!
To learn more about beautiful Belize, explore our blog.
