We’re going to play tour guide for our Xunantunich experience. Part of the planning for this adventure involves being highly informed about Xunantunich and surrounding areas. Thanks to the internet and today’s technological advances, I don’t even have to leave my desk to find out this information. Sites like Virtual Tourist make it easy for me!

Honestly, who needs to pay an adventure trip/package $110 USD for two people for this tour? No one! Be a little bit adventurous and do it yourself!

We are renting a car that is strictly allowed on paved roads only. We’re not exactly sure how close we can get to Xunantunich with the car before needing to park it and start the hike towards the ruins, but we can use TripAdvisor Forums to help us figure that out. There are locals and other Belize experts like BelizeQueen who are very helpful and dedicate their time solely for the love and joy of Belize to help out others amateurs like Courtney and me.

If we can’t get close enough to Xunantunich with the car (which I would assume we can if there is a bus that goes near there) then we will follow these easy directions:

Local bus from San Ignacio, ask to be let off at Xunantunich. From there take the free, hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River then walk 2kms uphill to the ruins.

Yes, you read right. A HAND-CRANKED ferry across the Mopan River. I’m sure this will prove to break a sweat for us in the Belize heat. But it will be an experience! Fellow travelers say to keep an eye out for some cool iguana’s in the trees.

Hours Xunantunich is open are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but it is recommended to go in the earlier hours of the day to beat the heat. Xunantunich lies in an open field with no shade. I’ve read in some places that you don’t need to pay anything but I’ve also read that the admission is $5 USD. For a safe bet, I will count on the $5 USD.

By going on a self-guided tour of Xunantunich we will save ourselves $100 USD. Wow! Budget, people, Budget! Look for ways to save. Just be very informed about the area so you don’t miss out on anything. Even know all the history so you can imagine the area as it was back in 200 AD- 900 AD.