5 hours
Daily Tour
Unlimited
English, Espanol
Are you ready to unplug from the everyday and plug directly into the vibrant, beating heart of Belize? This isn’t just another excursion; it’s a full-day immersion, a time-traveling adventure that combines the profound mystery of the ancient Maya with the wild, untamed energy of the jungle. We’re talking about the ultimate Belizean duo, a day trip that perfectly captures the country’s spirit: the Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins. This is your chance to trade screen time for jungle time, to walk in the footsteps of kings and priests, and to come face-to-face with the country’s most charismatic primate residents. Forget what you think you know about tours; this is an experience that feels like Indiana Jones and Planet Earth had a spectacular, tropical baby.
Your adventure begins at 8:00 AM. The Belizean “good mornin’” vibes are real, and they start the moment we pick you up. Whether you’re at a hotel, an Airbnb, or stepping off a cruise ship (welcome, shipmates!), our air-conditioned transport is your cool, comfortable chariot. We’ll have chilled water waiting as we set off from Belize City. This isn’t a stuffy bus ride. It’s a 60-minute scenic journey through a countryside so impossibly green and lush, you’ll half-expect the towering cohune palms and vibrant mango trees to wave as you pass. This is the perfect prelude to your adventure at the Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins.
At 9:00 AM, we arrive at our first destination: the legendary Altun Ha. You’re not just looking at ruins; you’re stepping into the epicenter of ancient Maya royalty. This was a major ceremonial and trading hub, a Mesoamerican metropolis buzzing with life long before European feet ever touched these shores. As you walk the main plaza, surrounded by monumental stone temples, you can almost hear the whispers of its past. This is where priests, adorned in jade and quetzal feathers, tracked the constellations with stunning accuracy. This is where traders from as far as modern-day Mexico and Panama haggled over obsidian, copal, and precious jade.
And speaking of jade, Altun Ha holds a world-famous secret. It was right here, in 1968, that one of the most significant Maya artifacts in history was unearthed: a staggering 10-pound, intricately carved jade head of the Sun God, Kinich Ahau. It remains the largest Maya jade carving ever discovered. As you stand in the plaza, you’re standing where this priceless treasure lay hidden for centuries. It’s a jolt of real, tangible history.
But the highlight for many is the ascent. We’ll guide you to the majestic Temple of the Masonry Altars. As you climb the same stone steps royals and priests summited over 2,000 years ago, the jungle canopy falls away. When you reach the top, you’re rewarded with a breathtaking, 360-degree panorama.
Emerald green rainforest stretches to the horizon in every direction, punctuated only by the tops of other unexcavated temples. It’s a view that connects you, in that single moment, to the ancient civilization that built this city and the wild, enduring nature that has protected it. This powerful encounter with history is the first half of what makes the Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins tour so exceptional.
After soaking in the ancient glory, we’ll transition from stone wonders to living wonders. We head to the Community Baboon Sanctuary, a place with a delightful twist. Spoiler alert: you won’t find a single baboon. The name is a charming local Kriol nickname for Belize’s loudest and most fascinating residents: the Black Howler Monkey.
This isn’t a zoo. This is their home. The sanctuary is a protected stretch of riparian forest, and we’re just respectful visitors. You’ll be led by a local guide who knows this jungle intimately—a guide who can spot a perfectly camouflaged monkey family and seems to speak their language. You’ll wander shaded trails under a thick canopy, learning about the medicinal plants and the delicate ecosystem.
Then, you’ll hear it. It’s a sound you feel in your chest before you even process it—a deep, guttural roar that seems to belong to a creature ten times its size. It’s the alpha male, announcing his territory with a call that can travel for miles. It’s a sound that is pure, primal rainforest. Your guide will point, and you’ll look up to see them: families lounging in the treetops, juveniles playfully wrestling, and mothers tenderly grooming their young. Watching these howlers navigate the branches with effortless grace is like witnessing a live-action nature documentary. This vibrant, noisy, and utterly charming wildlife encounter is the perfect counterpart to the quiet majesty of Altun Ha. It’s this blend that defines the Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins package.
By 12:30 PM, you’ll have worked up an appetite fit for a Maya king. We’ll refuel with an authentic Belizean feast that will make your taste buds dance. This is pure comfort food, perfected over generations. Imagine: rich, slow-cooked stew chicken falling off the bone, fluffy coconut rice, and sweet fried plantains that provide the perfect contrast. We’ll enjoy this delicious meal under a traditional thatch palapa, letting the jungle breeze cool us down. It’s the perfect moment to relax, share photos, and savor the flavors of Belize. This satisfying lunch is an integral part of the Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins adventure.
So why is this combination so magical? Why choose the Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins tour? Most excursions force you to pick: history or wildlife? Ancient culture or modern-day cuteness? We believe you shouldn’t have to choose. This unique itinerary is designed for the traveler who wants it all. In just 5-6 hours, you get to geek out over sophisticated ancient astronomy and then giggle at monkey acrobatics. You experience the profound, silent weight of 2,000-year-old stone and the vibrant, living roar of the jungle.
This is the definitive Belizean experience, a perfect tag-team of culture and nature. The Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins tour is more than just sightseeing; it’s about storytelling. The guides are not just guides; they are born-and-raised local legends, storytellers who’d win any Jeopardy!: Maya Edition and who share insights you’ll never find on Wikipedia.
The magic of the Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins lies in this authenticity. The ruins are real, the monkeys are unscripted, and the memories are unforgettable. When you book the Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins experience, you are booking a day that truly captures the soul of Belize.
We’ve crafted this 5-6 hour journey to be as seamless as it is exciting. The price of US$165 for adults and US$95 for kids includes everything: your air-conditioned transport, all park entry fees, and the expert local guides who bring the Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins to life. To make the most of your day, we recommend packing like a pro: sturdy shoes for the temple steps (they’re older than your grandma’s china) and reliable bug spray for the jungle (the mosquitoes are ambitious!).
We’re committed to accessibility. While the main plaza at Altun Ha is manageable for most, the temple climb is a steep, ancient StairMaster. Just chat with us, and we’ll craft a plan that works for you. And for our cruise passengers, rest assured! We are fully port-approved and will have you back with plenty of time to spare; just book with your ship’s arrival time.
Booking your spot is simple—no voodoo, just fun. We believe in high-quality, intimate experiences, which is why we guarantee our tours will run with just two explorers. No “oops, canceled” nonsense. A 30% deposit locks in your adventure, with the rest due when you’re living your best jungle life. And as an early-bird perk, groups of five or more who book at least two months in advance get a free upgrade to a private tour.
Slots for this ultimate combo vanish faster than a howler spotting a ripe papaya. Click “book now,” secure your spot, and let’s turn your day into a masterpiece of ancient wonder and primate pandemonium.
P.S. For our friends on Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye (San Pedro): it’s easy! Just grab the first morning water taxi or the local flight to the municipal airstrip (TZA). We’ll be right there to meet you, ready to start this incredible day exploring the Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins.
Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins Tour departing Belize City, for guests from Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and Cruises.
Product SKU: altun-babo
Product Brand: Community Baboon Sanctuary and Altun Ha Maya Ruins
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 145
Price Valid Until: 2023-05-31
Product In-Stock: InStock
Member Since 2022
Altun Ha and Howler Monkey Reserve Tour