Belize Mayan Jeep and Altun Ha Ruins Excursion

Description

• Roundtrip air-conditioned transportation from your Belize cruise ship tender pier!
  
• English-speaking certified shore excursion guide!
• Guided excursion at Altun Ha Mayan Ruins!
• Shared 4-passenger Jeep - special private VIP option available (see shopping cart)!
  
• Automatic and stick-shift Jeeps are available with insurance!
• Small shore excursion groups with a maximum of 16 participants!
• Complimentary authentic Belizean-style lunch included!

See the fascinating Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and enjoy a fun guided Jeep cruise excursion that takes you through the Belize tropical jungle! Exciting driving, nature sightseeing, and a complimentary lunch are included!

Your friendly, English-speaking Belize Jeep Adventure and Altun Ha Mayan Ruins Excursion guide will be waiting for you at your cruise ship tender terminal in Belize City. You will get checked in and helped into the air-conditioned 14-passenger van for the ride to the Mayan Ruins of Altun Ha. Enjoy the scenery as you pass through the famous Belize City and into the countryside and jungle / tropical forest of Central America! The ride to the ruins is approximately 45-60 minutes from your cruise tender terminal.

Rising out of the lush Belize rainforest is the Mayan ruins of Altun Ha. Once a Belize Maya ceremonial center, Altun Ha (rock stone pond) was home to more than 500 structures. It was also an important Mayan trade center. It was accidentally discovered in 1963 by a pilot and amateur archeologist flying over the site that was almost hidden by the jungle growth.

The most famous discoveries at Altun Ha Mayan Ruins were made by Dr. David Pendergast who, along with his excavation team, discovered a tomb of a priest in the Temple of the Masonry Altars. Inside the tomb was a jade head carving of the Mayan Sun God, Kinich Ahau weighing almost 10 pounds.

To date, guests are able to climb the main temple ruins and get an incredible view of the rainforest surrounding the ruins.

When you have completed your guided cruise excursion of Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and its ancient past, your shore excursion guide and van transportation will take you to the Jeep base camp. The Jeep excursion guides go over all of the driving instructions and safety information. Although the Jeeps are a stick-shift drive, there is a space on your order form to indicate if you require one of the 2 automatic Jeeps available (first come first serve, early booking recommended). The Jeeps are 4-person shared vehicles that can accommodate up to 4 adults with a smaller child.

Hop in, buckle up, and get ready to follow your English-speaking Belize jeep excursion guide in the lead Jeep on a fun drive through the jungle. See hidden treasures of nature. Enjoy driving through varied terrain from dirt roads, wetlands, and muddy jungle trails. Be prepared to get dusty, muddy, and dirty! Keep a lookout for native birds and other jungle flora and fauna.

There will be a couple of photo stops along the way. You will also hike a short distance to view the hidden caves tucked away in the Belize jungle rainforest! Guests may enter the open and unique Mayan cave and walk around inside to enjoy the beauty created by nature and the ancient Mayans including crystalline rock formations and artifacts.

After your Belize Jungle Jeep and Altun Ha Mayan Ruins Excursion, you will be offered a complimentary traditional Belizean-style lunch with chicken, rice, beans, and potato salad along with bottled water and soft drinks. Great organic food, and fresh and authentic local cuisine! There is only one choice of lunch, but there is a cash bar to purchase other beverages along with a great gift and a Belize souvenir shop to browse all on the same property. The approximate time at the Jeep excursion base is 2 hours. With time allowing, guests may take a dip in the refreshing river on the property.

When time is up, transportation will take you back to your Belize cruise ship tender terminal approximately 25 minutes away.

For those wanting a Jeep just to themselves, there is the VIP option - the empty spaces must be purchased at an adult rate (the private Jeep option requires booking 4 adults per Jeep, please indicate the private option in the message box provided in the booking process).

What is included?

• Round trip, air-conditioned transportation from your Belize cruise terminal.
• All insurance, fuel charges, fees, and taxes.
• Bottled water and soft drinks.
  
• 4-passenger, shared Jeep - standard transmission (stick shift), limited automatic Jeeps available (please notify us when placing your Belize Jeep shore excursion booking).
• Guided excursion at Altun Ha Mayan Ruins.
• Shared 4-person Jeep - special private VIP option available (see shopping cart).
  
• Automatic and stick-shift Jeeps are available (depending on availability).
  
• Certified and English-speaking Belize Cruise Excursion guides.
• Small shore excursion groups with a maximum of 16 participants.
• Complimentary authentic Belize-style lunch included.

Excursion Notes

• Please take one of the first tenders off the ship to be at the excursion meeting location on time, there will be no refund in case you are late off the ship and related time constraints to make sure you are back on time.
  
• All drivers must be 18 years old and must present a valid driver's license.
  
• The minimum participation age is 3 years old.
  
• There is a maximum of 4 participants in a vehicle or 4 adults and 1 small child.
• We suggest guests come dressed to get dusty, muddy, and dirty depending on the past and/or current weather conditions.
  
• Bring sun protection, a protected camera, cash for the balance amount, tips, souvenir or beverage purchases, etc.
• Please pay attention to the restrictions and requirements for this excursion, no refund will be granted if the requirements are not met.
• Please note that no tripods or professional movie cameras are allowed inside the ruins. Professional cameras will be charged a $50.00 USD fee at the ruins.

Where we meet

For the Belize Jungle Jeep and Altun Ha Ruins Excursion, you will meet directly outside your Belize city cruise ship tender terminal. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.

Excursion Restrictions

• All Jeep drivers must be 18 years old and must present a valid driver's license.
• The Jeep ride can be bumpy.
• This excursion is not wheelchair accessible due to the uneven surfaces.
• Guests must be able to step in and out of the transportation.
• Guests must be able to walk on paved, gravel, and cobblestone surfaces, some on inclines. There are steps required to enter several of the sites as well as steep curbs in some areas.
• This Belize Mayan Jeep and Altun Ha Ruins Excursion may involve risks. We suggest you check with your elected person of choice to see if these possible risks might affect you.

Excursion FAQ

Cancellation

• Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
• Your ship skips/misses the port.
• Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
• A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
  
• Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
• Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.