Xunantunich, Cahal Pech and the Blue Hole

 Xunantunich (Mayan pronunciation: choo-nan-too-nitch]),an Ancient Maya archaeological site located on a ridge above the Mopan River. It served as a Maya civic ceremonial center in the Late and Terminal Classic periods to the Belize Valley region. At this time, of its peak, nearly 200,000 people lived in Belize.

Xunantunich's name means "Sculpture of Lady" in the Maya language (Mopan and Yucatec combination name Xunaan(Noble lady) Tuunich (stone for sculpture)), and, like many names given to Maya archaeological sites, is a modern name; the ancient name is currently unknown. The "Stone Woman" refers to the ghost of a woman claimed by several people to inhabit the site, beginning in 1892. She is dressed completely in white, and has fire-red glowing eyes. She generally appears in front of "El Castillo", ascends the stone stairs, and disappears into a stone wall.

On the way back, take a quick swim in St Herman’s Blue Hole - a cenote with crisp clear water.

Wear:                       Comfortable footwear, Lightweight clothing, swim wear.

Bring:                        Sun screen, Bug spray

Length:                      8-4pm 

Price:                         Starting @ $100 per person

Difficulty:                   Moderate