Xunantunich

About Xunantunich

Perched on a ridge above the Mopan River near the Guatemalan border, Xunantunich ('Stone Maiden') features El Castillo, the second-tallest structure in Belize. The site's elaborate stucco friezes are among the finest surviving examples of Classic Maya relief art.

Highlights

• El Castillo — 40-meter pyramid with intricate stucco friezes
• Panoramic views into Guatemala from the summit
• Hand-cranked ferry crossing the Mopan River to reach the site
• Astronomical alignment of the main plaza
• Well-maintained site with informative signage

Temples & Monuments

El Castillo

The 40-metre pyramid is the second-tallest structure in Belize and dominates the site from its ridge above the Mopan River valley. Its western and southern faces retain sections of elaborately carved stucco friezes — one of the finest surviving examples of Classic Maya relief art in Belize — depicting sun and moon deity masks, astronomical symbols, and royal figures in ceremonial costume. The summit offers unobstructed views across the jungle into Guatemala.

Photo by Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash

Main Plaza & Range Structures

A broad ceremonial plaza flanked by elongated range structures and smaller platforms forms the core of the site. The buildings follow the Petén architectural style — rounded pyramid corners, broad basal mouldings — reflecting Xunantunich's cultural and political ties with the great cities of the Guatemalan lowlands rather than with the Puuc or Río Bec traditions of the northern Yucatán.