Want to see Ruins...which would you go to?

[man3fan]

We are trying to decide which ruins to go to. These are our choices thru Carnival:

Xunantunich Mayan Site 7 hours

Altun Ha Mayan Site & River Wallace -6 hours or

Altun Ha & Belize City Tour-4 1/2 hours

Can anyone tell us which is the best? Is it worth 2 long bus trips?

Can't decide and want to go ahead and make reservations.

please give us your opinion

Thanks

[ggprincess2004]

Honestly, we wouldn't do a long bus ride in Belize again. The roads are kind of rugged, and the bus, while mechanically sound, was quite rattley. It made the ride even longer. The ruins were interesting. We just don't like long bus rides. And, the stop on the ride we took was, IMHO, annoying. I felt like we were being forced to shop and they weren't about to continue the tour until everyone bought something. The "included snack" was just about inedible.:mad:

But we both remember the good old days of cruising when the shore excursions included escorts from the ship, they brought bottled water along for their passengers, as well as meals from the ship's galley. They guarded personal belongings left on the tour vehicles, etc.

Our first law of cruising has become: The closer we stay to the water the better. :)

Of course, there are some ports we would make an exception to that rule for - but the sights better be something we "have" to see before we die.

So I cannot answer your question about the long bus ride being worth it or not for you, I can only tell you how we feel about it. We did regret that trip.

Have a great cruise, whatever choice you make!

[JaneBP]

>"Altun Ha & Belize City Tour-4 1/2 hours"

 

I recently took this tour and it was interesting. The road to Altun Ha is very bumpy!! It took about an hour to get there from the city. There is a nice restroom at the runins, go before you leave! There are some stalls selling souveniers and sodas as well. I have limited mobility so didn't climb up the ruin, which was steep and slippery. I did have a lovely time chatting with the bus driver and a wood carver. The city is very poor, as is the country, but I liked seeing it.

[Lard Greystoke]

The bus ride to Altun Ha will be an hour or less. The Belize City tour will not quite be the equivalent of Paris or Rome.

 

The Rio Wallace excursion will occupy one leg of the trip to Altun Ha, the other leg being by road. I took an excursion on a different river and it was well worth it.

 

Xunantunich is a long trip but the ruins are extensive. You travel the whole width of the rather small country of Belize.

 

A lot depends on you. Are you interested in wildlife? Geography? Listening to the history and culture of a different country? A good guide can keep you interested...if you want to be interested. Some people don't.

[man3fan]

Hello

Thanks for the info, I think we have finally decided to do the

Xunantunich Mayan Site tour.

Our cruise is getting closer and we went ahead and made reservations.

We are SO EXCITED!!!!

[yuccaman]

Hello

Thanks for the info, I think we have finally decided to do the

Xunantunich Mayan Site tour.

Our cruise is getting closer and we went ahead and made reservations.

We are SO EXCITED!!!!

 

JUST BRING THE BUG REPELLANT!

Listen, I used to live in the Caribbean, and Latin America, and now live west of Ft Lauderdale, 1 1/2 miles from the Everglades, so I'm used to mosquitos that are brave enough to bite your car :)...BUT I've never seen mosquitos as fierce as those in Belize. I remember when I went to Altun Ha, the only respite was on top of the pyramid we climbed, and I didn't want to go back down! But despite that, I enjoyed the ruins tremendously, and hope you will too!

[bermudafan8]

We were on the NCL Sun last week and did the all day trip to Xunantunich - we were not disappointed. Part of the reason we selected the trip was the opportunity to see a large portion of the country. We also saw several iguanas that were probably 4 ft long. Enroute to the ruins and while there our guide provided interesting commentary. We were a small group of only 11 so we were in a 12 passenger van, but it was air conditioned and we did hit a few bumps in the road but it was worth it to see these Mayan ruins.

I will eventually be posting pics of the area.

Enjoy your trip!

[dzcruisers]

We were on the NCL Sun last week and did the all day trip to Xunantunich -

 

 

Who did you do your tour with? the ship? private tour? Thanks in advance for the info. :confused:

[bermudafan8]

We did the tour to Xunantunich thru the cruise line, NCL. Cost was $89. They provided us with 2 bottles of water (much needed due to the high temp/humidity) and we stopped for lunch (included) at a cute place. Had fajitas and heard several marimba players.

[serval_girl]

I just got back from a crusie on the Valor-took their tour since the time line was cutting it close-although I can think of worse places to be abandoned...

 

Anyhoo-the tour was amazing. First, despite what other posts say, the roads were not bumpy. Maybe because I was on a nice bus, maybe because my idea of bumpy is dirt roads in Africa-point is-the ride was smooth and no one seemed to think otherwise. Our tour guide Ken (thats his last name) was the best. I learned more about Belize in that ride than a whole semester course -plus-he was realy funny-lots of jokes and fgreat stories. He was more than happy to answer questions. He can be reached at kenubelizeit@yahoo.com. for private tours but he also does the tours for cruise ships (which I was on). Xunantunich was amazing-you get to walk up to the top of El Castillo (its a steep climb-I have a bad knee-it hurt but was do-able) and can see Guatemala from there. Lots of birds, some orchids, several structures to see. Afterwards we stopped at a Lodge-I think it was Windy Hill-and had a great lunch of chicken beans rice and plantains. No tourist trap stops, no rushing, lots of great info. It was a great tour and well worth the drive.

[OttoCal]

Xunanatunich is an amazing site, and your guide will have lots of great info about the area. If you are lucky, you will have a Mayan guide. There is a small area of shopping stalls right before the hand-cranked ferry to get across the river to the site- good deals, handmade jewelery from local wood, shells, etc, plus nice Guatemalan placemats etc. Much better prices than in Belize City. Pick up a few things.

 

Ask to crank the ferry on the return trip. You will all be outside of the van for the ride across.

[jpcruiser]

Just got back Sunday from the Explorer. We did the Lammanaie Tour in Belize. It took all day - first a long bus ride with an experienced tour guide feeding us information for the ride. Then we got onto a boat for another hour or so and the guide showed us flora and water fowl. We saw 3 crocs. Finally we made it to the Mayan temple site where we first had a lunch prepared by locals. We then set out on the Temple tour. There were at least 2 families of howler monkeys. I was able to take pictures. Also, one of the guides made some noises causing the monkeys to howl. WOW - they sounded so ferocious and loud. We also saw a pair of toucans, the national bird of Belize. Our guide also attempted to show us tarantulas and I will not reveal where - just in case you take this tour ;) .

 

We were given water and the guide emphasized the necessity to drink.

 

The day we went there was a cloud coverage (no rain) so it was not too bad, though it was hot. I hate to think how it would have been with hotter weather and full sun. It was a very long day and we were late getting back to the tenders. BUT, because we were on a ships tour, the ship had to wait.

 

My recommendation would be if you take this tour, use the ship's excursion for the reason mentioned above.

 

 

Joanne

[flag fan]

:eek: Tarantulas!!! Looks like I'll be staying on the boat. ;)

[Rachy817]

I just got back from a crusie on the Valor-took their tour since the time line was cutting it close-although I can think of worse places to be abandoned...

 

Anyhoo-the tour was amazing. First, despite what other posts say, the roads were not bumpy. Maybe because I was on a nice bus, maybe because my idea of bumpy is dirt roads in Africa-point is-the ride was smooth and no one seemed to think otherwise. Our tour guide Ken (thats his last name) was the best. I learned more about Belize in that ride than a whole semester course -plus-he was realy funny-lots of jokes and fgreat stories. He was more than happy to answer questions. He can be reached at kenubelizeit@yahoo.com. for private tours but he also does the tours for cruise ships (which I was on). Xunantunich was amazing-you get to walk up to the top of El Castillo (its a steep climb-I have a bad knee-it hurt but was do-able) and can see Guatemala from there. Lots of birds, some orchids, several structures to see. Afterwards we stopped at a Lodge-I think it was Windy Hill-and had a great lunch of chicken beans rice and plantains. No tourist trap stops, no rushing, lots of great info. It was a great tour and well worth the drive.

 

 

 

 

We did the same tour last week! Did you see the bird at the Windy Hill- he was actually kinda scarry because he climbed up one womans chair and was biting into it! The waiters had to get him out using a broom! Anyway I agree the tour was awesome but VERY hot! My poor boyfriend was drenched because he had to carry the bookbag! My only complaint was that the bus ride was really long. The way to the ruins wasnt bad because our tour guide kept us entertained. But the way back we were all tired, hot, and getting cranky!

 

Good Luck!

[angelcakes]

I am not sure which is best. Altun Ha, Xunantunich or now Lammanaie???

 

I like the idea of being on the river and seeing the animals too?? Please give me some backround on all the ruins so I can choose. We are running out of time.

 

Thanks

[angelcakes]

I am not sure which is best. Altun Ha, Xunantunich or now Lammanaie???

 

I like the idea of being on the river and seeing the animals too?? Please give me some backround on all the ruins so I can choose. We are running out of time.

 

Thanks

[auntpam]

The Xunantunich tour makes for the most awesome day ever! My family and I went on the tour when we cruised to Belize two years ago this July and we always keep saying that it was the one day that everyone was so completely happy and no one ever uttered any complaints! We loved the ride to the ruins, you see some amazing sights going throug Belize. The ruins are amazing, I really enjoyed taking lot's of pictures and videos of my family climbing the ruins. I was able to go to the ruins in a wheelchair. It is so amazing just being there! It is really neat going on the hand cranked bridge! You will see lot's of beautiful animals and some funny ones, too. The bus was really nice with great air conditioning! The favorite part was eating at Windy Hills Resort! The atmosphere was so awesome! You eat in a covered, yet somewhat open building that is very clean, they have Mirimba players and you feel like you have really become part of the Belizean culture!!! The food is delicious, you are served the Belize national dish, Chicken and beans and rice along with Fried plantains. They bring you a nice punch or water, but they also have a big Coca Cola cooler and you can ask them to bring you a coke. They bring you the whole bottle. It is the wonderful coke made with REAL sugar like it used to be in the states! You will have the opportunity to shop for souviniers if you want to. This is such a wonderful excursion that it looks like we will be repeating it again this July on the Valor! Have a great cruise and enjoy the excursion to Xunantunich!!! :)

Pam

[angelcakes]

Aunt Pam -- Hey I'm on the Valor as well in July with my daughte Marissa. I just this moment logged on to Carnival and book the Xunantuhich excursion. I am very much looking forward to it. All I read --- it is definitely the better Ruins site to see. My concern was that we wouldn't see the native animals -- but in reading your post - we might. Just a little more to go... getting very psyched now... starting my packing this week !

 

Looking forward to meeting you and your family. I know you are in our roll call and have "talked" with my brother -- jervid.

 

See you all soon.

 

LORI:o