Belize · Cayo · Belize
Experiences and local guides in San Ignacio · Cayo
Jungle and Mayan ruins: the ATM cave with its skeletons, Caracol and Xunantunich, cave tubing, canoeing the Macal river and waterfalls of the Maya Mountains.
Nature
San Ignacio, in Cayo district by the Guatemalan border, is the base for inland Belize: jungle, clear rivers like the Macal and the Mopan, and the Maya Mountains with pine forests, waterfalls and caves. Here are Caracol, Belize's largest Mayan city, Xunantunich with its El Castillo pyramid, and the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave, where the Maya left offerings and crystallised skeletons a thousand years ago.
Activities
- ATM cave: hiking, swimming and climbing through the sacred cave with a licensed guide (limited places)
- Caracol, Xunantunich and Cahal Pech, Mayan ruins with local guides, and the San Ignacio market
- Cave tubing and kayaking through caves and rivers (Nohoch Che'en, Mopan river), canoeing the Macal to the botanic garden
- Mountain Pine Ridge: Big Rock and Río On falls, Río Frío cave, natural pools
- Horseback riding, birdwatching, green iguanas at the conservation project, Mayan chocolate in San Antonio
When to go
December to May is the dry season, with clear rivers and easy trails; the ATM cave may close on heavy-rain days. June to November brings afternoon rain, green jungle, full waterfalls and fewer people.
How to get there
From Belize City (BZE airport), 2 hours along the Western Highway by bus or shuttle; from Flores (Guatemala) and Tikal, 2 h 30 with the border at Benque Viejo. The ATM cave, Caracol and Xunantunich are visited with a licensed guide from San Ignacio; trips include transport.
Nature, activities, experiences and guides with links, to read offline.
Activities in this destination
Experiences
We are adding guides in San Ignacio · Cayo
Leave your email and we will tell you as soon as a verified local guide publishes experiences here. No spam, one single email.
Local operators identified in San Ignacio · Cayo (3)
Guides and operators working in the area according to public information (their website or social media). They are not Trekonda members yet: contact them directly on their site. If you are one of them, claim your free profile to receive requests here.