A trip to the Maya site Xunantunich (pronounced shu-nan-tu-nitch) brings you close to the Guatemalan border and requires a charming ride across the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry. Once across, you’ve arrived. This fascinating Maya ruin is situated high on a limestone ridge and was once a major ceremonial center. It has several plazas and a large selection of classic period structures.

Those ambitious enough to hike 130 feet to the top of El Castillo will conquer the second tallest structure in Belize and, will be rewarded with panoramic views Cayo and Guatemala.

Ride Belize, East to West!

Bring: Closed shoes, Sunscreen, Insect Repellent
How far away: 100 miles, 3 h ride from Hopkins
District: Cayo
Difficulty level ride: Medium
Difficulty level tour: Easy/Medium
Percentage off-road: 0%
Bike required: Dual-sport or Cruiser
Tour Duration: 1-3 hours

Enjoy a scenic drive to the lush southern region of Belize to visit the Maya Ruins of Nim Li Punit. This site lies amid luxuriant vegetation, just 1/2 mile from the Southern Highway, near the villages of Indian Creek and Golden Stream.

Nim Li Punit is one of the smaller Maya sites, but is celebrated for the unusually large assemblage of stelae, or intricately carved columns of stone. There are 26 in total! Nim Li Punit is a Maya Kekchi phrase, translated to mean "the big hat." The name was inspired by a carving on the longest of the site's stelae, depicting a figure wearing a large headdress.

The last stretch into Nim Li Punit is steep and hilly so be prepared for some fun use of your throttle.

Last hill is steep so throttle up!

Bring: Closed shoes, Sunscreen, Insect Repellent
How far away: 80 miles, 2 h ride from Hopkins
District: Toledo
Difficulty level ride: Medium
Difficulty level tour: Easy
Percentage off-road: 5%
Bike required: Dual-sport
Tour Duration: 1-2 hours

Lubaantun is a Maya site located 25 miles from Punta Gorda town and about 1.5 miles from San Pedro Columbia. It is the largest Maya site in Southern Belize, famous for its unusual construction style. Its structures are made of limestone blocks but lack any visible signs of mortar binding them together. The structural integrity relies on each hand-cut stone, requiring careful measurement and precise cuts to fit snugly together.

This is also the first known location of the Mitchell-Hedges “skull of doom,” a famous crystal skull shrouded in mystery and controversy. Anna Mitchell-Hedges alleged until her death in Canada in 2007 that she discovered the skull on her 17th birthday during an expedition with her father, archaeologist F. Mitchell-Hedges. This perfectly shaped human skull was carved by an unknown artisan from an 8 inch cube of clear quartz crystal. The origin of the crystal skull remains uncertain.

Ride to Lubantuun and the Mayan Villages!

Bring: Closed shoes, Sunscreen, Insect Repellent
How far away: 90 miles, 2,5 h ride from Hopkins
District: Toledo
Difficulty level ride: Medium
Difficulty level tour: Easy
Percentage off-road: 15%
Bike required: Dual-sport
Tour Duration: 1-3 hours

The spectacular Caracol Maya Ruins are located at the end of a very bumpy road. Caracol is the largest Maya site in Belize, and its jungle location is also the most remote.

The journey to Caracol necessitates starting early in the morning and we recommend securing accomodations in the Pine Ridge area for this adventure. An escort service to the site is available at 9:00 am, located halfway up the Pine Ridge. Road conditions vary and this tour is recommended only to very experienced riders, preferably without passengers. It should be ridden only in dry weather conditions. If you are prepared and skilled enough for a challenging adventure by motorcycle, Caracol is a stunning opportunity to consider.

An adventure the truest sense!

Bring: Closed shoes, Sunscreen, Insect Repellent
How far away: 200 miles, 7 hour ride from Hopkins
District: Cayo
Difficulty level ride: Hard
Difficulty level tour: Medium
Percentage off-road: 90%
Bike required: Dual-sport
Tour Duration: 6-10 hours

Cahal Pech is a medium-sized Mayan ruin site located in the heart of San Ignacio town in the Cayo district. The site rests high above the banks of the Macal River and is strategically located to overlook the confluence of the Macal River and the Mopan River.

The site was home for an elite Maya family, and though continuous habitation has been dated to as far back as 1200 BCE during making Cahal Pech one of the oldest recognizably Maya sites in Western Belize.

In the heart of San Ignacio!

Bring: Closed Shoes, Insect Repellent, Water
How far away: 90 miles, 2h 30 min from Hopkins
District: Cayo
Difficulty level ride: Medium
Difficulty level tour: Easy/Medium
Percentage off-road: 2%
Bike required: Dual-sport or Cruiser
Tour Duration: 1-2 hours

El Pilar was once the home to an ancient Maya city and now straddles the Belize/Guatemala border. The site offers an interesting opportunity to see Maya ruins that have undergone minimal excavation. Rather than reconstructed temples or buildings, these structures remain hidden in the forest in a state similar to when they were identified by early archaeologists.

El Pilar is one of the largest Classic Maya sites in Belize and includes 15 plazas or courtyards spanning 50 acres. It also has a ballcourt, a major palace, structures towering almost 60 feet in height, and a causeway that leads to Guatemala. The site is abundant in streams and aguados, or water reservoirs.

Because of its remote location, you probably will have this ruin completely to yourself!

Be preparred for oulders on steep ride there!

Bring: Closed Shoes, Insect Repellent, Water
How far away: 125 miles, 4h from Hopkins
District: Cayo
Difficulty level ride: Hard
Difficulty level tour: Easy
Percentage off-road: 20%
Bike required: Dual-sport
Tour Duration: 1-2 hours

Lamanai is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Belize. Climb 108 feet. up the wooden staircase to the top of the High Temple, the tallest structure in Belize. From the top, gaze across the forest and New River Lagoon for a spectacular birds-eye view of the jungle canopy, troops of howler and spider monkeys, and abundant winged creatures.

The park also includes the Mask Temple, which is faced with a carving of a 15’ tall human head and crocodile headdress.

Mayan Ruins in the north!

Bring: Closed shoes, Sunscreen, Insect Repellent
How far away: 180 miles, 4h 30 min from Hopkins
District: Orange Walk
Difficulty level ride: Medium
Difficulty level tour: Medium
Percentage off-road: 20%
Bike required: Dual-sport
Tour Duration: 4-8 hours