About 40 km from the Tikal complex in Guatemala, Xunantunich was a major ceremonial center.   From its perch on a natural limestone ridge, visitors have a fantastic view of the surrounding area.  And though the center is only one square kilometre, it is home to 25 temples and palaces including the second tallest Mayan structure in Belize, the pyramid El Castillo.  The site was the first one in Belize that was open to the public, in 1954, and now it has a highly praised on-site museum.

The religion of the citizens of Xunantunich helped build this city up to the ceremonial center that it became.  To understand it is to understand in at least some way the people of this once great city.  It is believed that the temples and stelae focus on fertility and the warlords.  They have a tendency to portray the warlords and their ancestors as the source of fertility of all Mayans.  So all of these structure stress sexual symbolism in one way or another.  Some theories suggest that an earthquake caused the abandonment of the city. 

From the top of El Castillo one is provided a breathtaking view of the Macal, Mopan and Belize River valleys, as well as the rest of the ruins.  El Castillo itself has a remarkable stucco frieze and stands 130 feet making it the most prominent structure at the site.  There are 6 main plazas and 25 temples and palaces all in a small area of one kilometre.  There is also a ball court.

Xunantunich has been excavated off and on over the years beginning in 1894.  It wasn't until recently that

the ruins have been excavated on a consistent basis.  They are located eight miles west of San Ignacio and pretty close to the western border of Belize.  The ruins can be reached by ferry between 8:00 am & 5:00 pm.  The entrance fee is BZ$ 5 for Belizeans and $10 for visitors.

The ruins of Xunantunich are impressive and remarkable.  The site is well worth seeing along with any other ruins in Belize.