Located close to the western Guatemala border, Xunantunich, meaning \u201cmaiden of the rock\u201d or \u201cstone woman\u201d, features the country\u2019s 2nd<\/sup> tallest structure, El Castillo, rising 130 feet. During its prime, Xunantunich served as a Maya civic ceremonial center and is known for its eastern frieze depicting symbols of Maya astronomy and cosmology.<\/p>\n Belize Zoo<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Accommodating only orphaned and rescue animals indigenous to the country, the Belize Zoo is a Tropical Education Centre founded by Sharon Matola, a fierce advocate for wildlife, and the inspiration of the book entitled The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw. <\/em>The zoo uses native landscaping to showcase the incredible diversity of both the fauna and the flora to be found in Belize.\u00a0 The paved walkways are accessible to strollers and wheelchairs.\u00a0 Wagons for young kids are also available for rent at the entrance.<\/p>\n The day trip to Xunantunich and The Belize Zoo begins at 5:45 am with pick up at your resort for transfer to San Pedro town where you will enjoy a light traditional Belizean breakfast before being taken to the airstrip for the 7am flight to Belize Municipal airstrip.<\/p>\n Upon arrival at Belize\u2019s Municipal airstrip, a professional Tuff E Nuff guide will be waiting to transport you via air-conditioned vehicle to the Xunantunich site.\u00a0 Your drive will take you out of the Belize District and into the Cayo District of the country, passing through several historic villages along the way as well as the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena.<\/p>\n After an approximately 1.5-2 hour drive, you will arrive in San Jose Succotz village where you will exit your vehicle and board a hand-cranked ferry that will transport you across the beautiful Mopan River to the ancient Mayan site of Xunantunich. Your tour of Xunantunich will be led by a knowledgeable guide and will include the history of the location, importance of each structure, and insights into why the city was eventually abandoned. Should you be brave enough to venture to the top of El Castillo, you will be rewarded with sweeping views all the way to Guatemala.<\/p>\n Following your tour, you will enjoy a traditional Belizean lunch and then will depart for the second portion of your tour.<\/p>\n When you arrive at The Belize Zoo you will have the opportunity to use the restrooms before proceeding on your educational tour of Belize\u2019s wildlife. The zoo experience can be customized to your interests and the dynamics of your group.\u00a0 When booking your tours, it is recommended to discuss the options available to tailor the day to your liking. The tasteful native exhibits let you picture these animals in the wild and how they interact with their environment. Many creatures are elusive and rare to be seen in the wild, the Zoo offers a chance for a glimpse of some of Belize\u2019s most famous residents.<\/p>\n Board the van once again for a 40-minute drive to the Belize City Municipal Airport for your flight back to Ambergris Caye.\u00a0 Included in the tour are round-trip transfers, round-trip flights, light continental breakfast, traditional lunch, snacks, water, soda, professionally-guided tours, and all relevant park fees.\u00a0 Wear comfortable, light clothing such as shorts & T-Shirt, good walking shoes are a must. Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, cash for tips and souvenirs, camera and hat.<\/p>\n Family travel bonds you in a way that you won\u2019t forget.\u00a0 Even the youngest can engage with the colorful animals at the Belize Zoo and can get their wiggles out on the manicured mall of Xunantunich\u2019s plaza.\u00a0 Interactive guides are a wealth of knowledge and you are sure to complete the day with some new trivia facts.\u00a0 With door-to-door transport service and comfortable travel modes, you can sit back and relax in between tours, without worrying or stressing about logistics.\u00a0 Take time out with the whole family in Belize. Contact us today to book your adventure!<\/p>\n Imagine coming face to face with the king of the Belizean jungle, the mighty jaguar.\u00a0 Or watching a curious spider monkey dangle from one foot.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3059,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-belize-travel"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Belize](\"https:\/\/www.sandypointresorts.com\/belizean-shores-resort\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/Xunantunich35-1024x350-1-300x103.jpg\")
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