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Belize

19 Best Things to Do in San Ignacio Belize

July 2, 2024

Discover the best things to do in San Ignacio Belize, the country’s adventure capital! From venturing deep into caves, jumping into waterfalls and exploring ancient Maya cities, there are so many fun jungle activities on offer.

Things to do in San Ignacio Belize

This article may contain affiliate / compensated links, that may earn me a small commission, at no extra cost to you. For full information, please see our disclaimer here. While all efforts have been taken to ensure the information included in this post is correct and current, travel information such as opening hours, business operations and prices change frequently. If you find anything in this post that is incorrect or outdated please let me know in the comments so I can update it for other readers.

Table of Contents

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  • 19 Things to do in San Ignacio Belize
  • Planning a trip to San Ignacio, Belize
  • Outdoor adventures around San Ignacio
    • 1. Venture inside the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave
    • 2. Day trip to Mountain Pine Ridge
    • 3. Marvel at the Rio Frio Cave
    • 4. Soak in the Rio On Pools
    • 5. Jump into Big Rock Falls
    • 6. Go cave tubing
    • 7. Take a jungle pontoon waterfall tour
    • 8. Canoe through Barton Creek Cave
    • 9. Road trip along the Hummingbird Highway
  • Things to do in San Ignacio town
    • 10. Visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project
    • 11. Explore San Ignacio town
    • 12. Check out the San Ignacio Market
    • 13. Wander through the Belize Botanic Gardens
    • 14. Go canoeing on the Macal River
    • 15. Join a chocolate making experience
  • Mayan ruins around San Ignacio
    • 16. Cahal Pech
    • 17. Xunantunich
    • 18. Caracol
    • 19. Tikal
  • Things to do in San Ignacio: Final thoughts

19 Things to do in San Ignacio Belize

There are SO many things to do in San Ignacio. If you’ve got the time and the money, you could spend weeks here doing a new adventurous activity every single day.

It’s overwhelming to sift through all the tours on offer, distinguish between the different cave experiences, decide which Maya cities to visit and work out what you can do that isn’t going to cost you a fortune.

The reality is, you don’t need to do every cave tour or visit every single ancient ruin. But before you can choose what’s a must-do, and what you’re happy to skip, you need to know what’s on offer.

That’s where I come in!

This post will give you a full rundown of all the best things to do in San Ignacio Belize. To make this list easier to digest, I’m going to divide it into three sections: outdoor adventures in the jungle region around San Ignacio, things to do in the town itself or very close by, and Maya ruins around the area.

  • Outdoor adventures around San Ignacio
    • 1. Venture inside the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave πŸ’€
    • 2. Day trip to Mountain Pine Ridge 🌲
    • 3. Marvel at Rio Frio Cave πŸ‘€
    • 4. Soak in the Rio On Pools πŸͺ¨
    • 5. Jump into Big Rock Falls 🌿
    • 6. Go cave tubing 🍩
    • 7. Take a jungle pontoon waterfall tour πŸ’¦
    • 8. Canoe through Barton Creek Cave πŸ›Ά
    • 9. Road trip along the Hummingbird Highway πŸš—
  • Things to do in San Ignacio town
    • 10. Visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project 🦎
    • 11. Explore San Ignacio town 🏘️
    • 12. Check out the San Ignacio Market πŸ₯‘
    • 13. Wander through the Belize Botanic Gardens 🌺
    • 14. Go canoeing on the Macal River πŸš£πŸ½β€β™€οΈ
    • 15. Join a chocolate making experience 🍫
  • Mayan ruins around San Ignacio
    • 16. Cahal Pech 🦜
    • 17. Xunantunich πŸ›•
    • 18. Caracol πŸ—Ό
    • 19. Tikal πŸ‡¬πŸ‡Ή

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    Planning a trip to San Ignacio, Belize

    We’ve got a separate San Ignacio travel guide that covers all the other stuff you’ll need to know to plan your trip to San Ignacio. Like how to get there, the transport options for getting around (important to work out before you start considering all the activities you want to do), where to stay and where to eat.

    🦎 Read our San Ignacio Belize travel guide

    Outdoor adventures around San Ignacio

    1. Venture inside the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

    Considered one of the most sacred caves in the world, and THE best thing to do in San Ignacio, the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave is a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you’re only going to choose one cave experience, it should be this one (unless you have mobility or claustrophobia issues).

    You can only visit the cave on a guided tour with a specially certified guide. We recommend this tour with MayaWalk Tours, which includes transport, a licensed guide, all equipment and lunch.

    The cave is one of the most important Mayan sites in Belize and holds thousands of years of history. The Mayas believed caves were portals to the underworld, known as Xibalba. These were very sacred places where sacrifices took place to please the gods.

    The ATM Cave holds the skeleton of a young girl, known as the Crystal Maiden, as well as the remains of 13 other sacrifices. You will have the chance to see calcified skeletons, deep inside the cave.

    The ATM Cave tour is intense and unlike any other tour in Belize. You’ll be inside for up to 3 hours, travelling deep into the cave through a combination of walking, swimming, clambering over rocks, squeezing through a few tight spaces and climbing ladders. You will be wet, in the dark and require a decent level of fitness to navigate your way through the cave.

    Don’t be put off – everyone who does this tour comes out saying it is the highlight of their whole trip!

    A group of people walking through water inside the ATM Cave, one of the best things to do in San Ignacio Belize
    Image via MayaWalk Tours

    DETAILS

    • πŸ’° Cost – tours start at around $120 USD. It is an expensive experience, but considering the importance of the site, the specific training required for the guides, and the length of the experience – it’s worth it!

    • πŸŽ’ What to bring – you need to wear swimmers and clothes that you are happy to get wet in. You must wear closed-toed shoes (water shoes, trainers), and you must have a pair of socks that can get wet and be worn inside the cave.

    πŸ‘‰πŸΌ Book our recommended ATM Cave tour here

    2. Day trip to Mountain Pine Ridge

    The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is a large protected natural area outside San Ignacio, designated to protect the population of the Belizean pine forest.

    The landscape is a huge contrast to the tropical rainforest found around the Cayo District, and it felt so odd to see pine trees in Belize of all places!

    There are a few beautiful natural sights within the reserve, like the Rio Frio Caves, Rio On Pools and Big Rock Falls. You can easily spend a day hopping between them and enjoying the unique pine and granite landscape. (I’ve expanded on each of these attractions in the following sections).

    The best way to visit the reserve is either on a tour, that will transport you between the sights. Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive yourself out on a day trip.

    A 4×4 is the most comfortable option as the roads in the reserve are mostly unpaved and pretty bumpy in parts, especially if there has been any rain recently! Although there are ongoing works and the condition of the roads are vastly improved in 2025.

    We took ourselves on a DIY day trip to Mountain Pine Ridge in a rental car, and it was one of the best things we did in San Ignacio. We’ve also written a guide to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve which might be helpful and has more detailed info on sights and road conditions.

    read our mountain pine ridge guide here

    Three people standing on a rock inside the mouth of the Rio Frio Cave, silhouetted against the bright light outside
    The Rio On Pools, with waterfalls on granite rocks and pine forest
    A waterfall in Mountain Pine Ridge flowing into a pool

    DETAILS

    • πŸ’° Cost – there is no fee to enter the reserve, and none of the attractions have any entrance fees, making this a pretty affordable day out! You’ll just need to factor in your transport, either joining a tour or renting a car.

    • πŸ“ Where – the entrance point to the reserve is around 45 minutes from San Ignacio. You can see all the main attractions pinned on our Belize Google Map.

    • ⏰ When – you can access the reserve 7 days a week. Supposedly the hours are from 7 am – 5 pm, and there is a checkpoint on the main access road, but as far as we know, it’s not always operating. The reserve and attractions inside can get busy with locals on the weekends, especially on a hot day. If you can plan your visit for during the week, you should avoid most of the crowds.

    • πŸ’‘ Insider tip – pack some drinks and snacks for the day. There aren’t any restaurants in the area, so you’ll want to have some food ready. 

    πŸ‘‰πŸΌ Book your Mountain Pine Ridge tour

    3. Marvel at the Rio Frio Cave

    One of the major attractions inside the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, the Rio Frio Cave is an impressive limestone cave that you can explore independently.

    The cave has a vast 20 metre (65 ft) opening, with a small river flowing through it. With a bit of rock scrambling, you can walk inside the entire length of the cave from one mouth to the other and admire the impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations.

    It’s completely free to visit. If you’re visiting Mountain Pine Ridge with a tour, you’ll definitely stop here. If you’re self-driving, be aware that the road to reach the cave is one of the worst in the area. We had to park early and walk as the mud was so thick, that our SUV never would have made it.

    The mouth of the Rio Frio Cave with a river inside silhouetted against the bright light and jungle outside

    DETAILS

    • πŸ’° Cost – there is no fee to visit the cave, or the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.

    • πŸ“ Where – the cave is one of the furthest attractions inside the reserve. It’s not as far as Caracol ruins, but if you’re driving, I’d suggest going to the cave first and then working your way back towards San Ignacio.

    • πŸ’‘ Insider tip – if you’ve got a torch, bring it with you. It’s not necessary, but is helpful for exploring the cave. Keep an eye out for tapirs, we got so lucky to see one hanging out on the side of the road!

    4. Soak in the Rio On Pools

    Another must-visit in Mountain Pine Ridge, the Rio On Pools are a series of natural swimming holes and mini waterfalls in a rocky river. The granite landscape against the mountains covered in pine trees was unlike anything else we’d seen in Belize!

    The little pools scattered all along the river are nice to soak in, and there are some small waterfalls and natural waterslides that were super fun. We enjoyed our picnic lunch lazing on the warm rocks in the sun.

    Brayden standing on a granite rocky riverbed with small waterfalls and pools flowing throughout at the Rio On Pools near San Ignacio

    DETAILS

    • πŸ’° Cost – there is no fee to visit the Rio On Pools, or the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.

    • πŸ“ Where – the pools are located inside the reserve, around 1 – 1.5 hours drive from San Ignacio, depending on the road condition.

    5. Jump into Big Rock Falls

    The most impressive and well-known attraction inside Mountain Pine Ridge, Big Rock Falls is a gorgeous set of waterfalls.

    You’ll need to tackle a steep and rickety staircase to get down to the falls (a killer on the way back up!), but it’s totally worth it.

    The thundering waterfall drops into a deep pool below, with lots of opportunities for cliff jumping, depending on your bravery level!

    The water continues flowing upstream, and there are some calmer sections where you can swim and jump from a much smaller and less terrifying height.

    A waterfall flowing over a rocky granite ledge into a small pool before continuing down the river into a larger pool

    DETAILS

    • πŸ’° Cost – it’s completely free to visit Big Rock Falls.

    • πŸ“ Where – Big Rock Falls is the closest attraction to San Ignacio inside the reserve. It’s less than an hour’s drive from San Ignacio. See it and all the other sights pinned on our Belize Google Map.

    6. Go cave tubing

    Cave tubing has become synonymous with Belize! This strange-sounding activity involves floating on an inflatable tube down an underground river into a cave system. Cool, hey?

    There are a couple of different caves where you can have this experience, but the most popular spot is the Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve.

    After a nice walk through the jungle with our tubes, we jumped in the refreshing river, and our guide roped our tubes to him to start floating through the cave. Inside, our head torches illuminated all the different stalagmites and stalactites, and at one point, we were able to get off the tube and explore the cave on foot, jumping into a deep pool in the dark and swimming through some tight passages!

    You need a guide for the experience, and this tour (another one by the highly rated MayaWalk Tours) transports you from San Ignacio and includes the full tubing experience with a guide, and lunch afterwards before returning to San Ignacio.

    read about our cave tubing experience here

    Sally standing in blue water in front of a cave with a helmet and life jacket on
    The mouth of a large cave with a river flowing through it in Belize. In the dark foreground, stalactites hang from the ceiling, outside in the light there is lush jungle and tourists floating on the river on inflatable tubes.
    Brayden on an inflatable tube floating down a river in the jungle in San Ignacio Belize

    DETAILS

    • πŸ’° Cost – tours are around $90 USD, which includes transport, all national park entrance fees, the guided tubing experience and lunch. It is possible to drive yourself to the cave (if you have a rental car) and pick up a guide there, which is what we did (read more on who to book with in our post).

    • πŸŽ’ What to bring – you need to wear swimmers or clothes that you are happy to get wet. You’ll be able to change at the site and store a bag in the van/car, but once you set off on the jungle hike with your tube, everything will get wet. You also must be wearing shoes. Thongs (flip flops) are not okay, and they need to be strappy sandals (like Tevas), water shoes or trainers you are happy to get wet.

    πŸ‘‰πŸΌ Book cave tubing with MayaWalk

    7. Take a jungle pontoon waterfall tour

    Everyone who does this jungle pontoon waterfall tour raves that it is one of the best things to do in San Ignacio. Sadly we didn’t have time to squeeze it in, but I wanted to include it because it looks fantastic and something a bit different!

    You’ll spend the day floating down a jungle-shrouded river in a comfortable pontoon boat. This big, wooden platform is spacious, with deck chairs, a dining table and chairs, and plenty of room to move around.

    You’ll stop at three different waterfalls (usually Un-Named Waterfall, Twin Falls, and Rio Frio Falls, depending on the season), where you can jump, swim and float around.

    You’ll have a delicious BBQ lunch cooked on board and can bring beers and drinks to top off a fun, adventurous day.

    DETAILS

    • πŸ’¦ Who – the tour is run by Jungle Splash Eco Tours, a highly-rated local agency in San Ignacio.

    • πŸ’° Cost – the tour is on the pricey side, from $145 USD per person, but it’s an all-day experience, with everything included like pick up, entrance fees, the boat, lunch and non-alcoholic drinks. 

    πŸ‘‰πŸΌ Book a fun day on a jungle pontoon

    8. Canoe through Barton Creek Cave

    The Barton Creek Cave is another popular cave system in the area for an adventure experience. It’s unlikely you’ll visit all the caves, but this option offers the easiest, most gentle caving experience. You will navigate through the cave by canoe, with an experienced local guide.

    It’s a great alternative for those who don’t want the challenge of swimming, climbing and crawling through the ATM Cave. There is still the opportunity to see Maya artefacts and unique crystal formations inside the cave.

    The site must be visited on a guided tour, and this half-day experience from San Ignacio is a great option that includes pick up, transport, the canoe experience and a picnic lunch afterwards.

    A bright blue river flowing into the mouth of a limestone cave in the jungle in Belize

    DETAILS

    • πŸ›Ά Who – there are multiple agencies that run tours to Barton Creek Cave. However, this tour is an easy half-day option, leaving the afternoon free in San Ignacio.

    • πŸ’° Cost – no matter who you go with, expect to pay around $100 USD for the experience. This should include everything, like pick up, entrance fees, the guided canoe experience, lunch and non-alcoholic drinks. 

    πŸ‘‰πŸΌ Book your Barton Creek Cave canoe tour

    9. Road trip along the Hummingbird Highway

    Located less than an hour from San Ignacio is Belize’s most scenic drive. The Hummingbird Highway stretches 86 km (53 mi) from Belmopan in the north to Dangriga in the south and is home to some spectacular natural attractions.

    You’ll find the iconic Inland Blue Hole and St. Herman’s Cave, the Billy Barquedier National Park with a beautiful waterfall and jungle hiking trails, and plenty of great places to stop for a meal or snack along the way.

    We actually spent a few nights staying in this area and published a complete Hummingbird Highway guide. But it’s easily done as a day trip from San Ignacio if you’d prefer to have one home base.

    read our hummingbird highway guide here

    Driving on the Hummingbird Highway is one of the best things to do in San Igancio Belize
    Sally out of focus in the foreground, with a waterfall flowing into a jungle pool with lush greenery all around in the background on the Hummingbird Highway
    Sally standing in a blue jungle pool surrounded by greenery in San Ignacio Belize

    DETAILS

    • πŸ“ Where – the Hummingbird Highway starts in Belmopan, less than an hour from San Ignacio, and finishes in Dangriga, less than 2 hours from San Ignacio. You can see the highway and all our suggested stops on our custom Belize Google Map.

    • πŸš— How to visit – you really need your own rental car to make the most of the attractions in the area. There are public buses that run along the highway, but timetables are virtually non-existent and it would be difficult to move between sights.

    Things to do in San Ignacio town

    10. Visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project

    Visiting the Green Iguana Conservation Project was one of our favourite things to do in San Ignacio Belize! Located inside the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, the centre does important work protecting and conserving the population of green iguanas around Belize.

    Visitors are led on a short guided tour with a staff member from the project, who provides information about the species, their threats and what they are doing to increase their population.

    Two baby green iguanas on a branch touching their noses together in San Ignacio Belize

    You’ll get the chance to meet a number of older iguanas that are unable to be released back into the wild, due to injury or domestication. These cuties are very friendly, and you’re able to pat and hold them.

    There are other, older iguanas in the centre that will be released back into the wild when they are healthy. Because of this, the staff do not interact with them as much, to ensure they don’t get used to humans.

    The project has a breeding program, where they incubate eggs, and rear the babies for approximately one year, before releasing them into the wild and tracking their location and lifespan. We were able to see some newly hatched babies that were still in the early stages of their life – so adorable!

    We learnt so much about iguanas and would highly recommend a visit to the Green Iguana Conservation Project! From being somewhat wary of these funny reptiles if we came across them in the wild, we now have such a better understanding and appreciation of them.

    An iguana with its eye closed soaking up the sun in San Ignacio Belize

    DETAILS

    • πŸ“ Where – the centre is located inside the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. It’s walkable from anywhere in the centre of town (beware of the steep hill!).

    • πŸ’° Cost – at the time of writing, the tour costs $22.50 BZD per person.

    • ⏰ When – the centre is open from 8 am – 4 pm daily, with tours run on the hour, every hour.

    11. Explore San Ignacio town

    There are so many adventurous things to do around San Ignacio, that many visitors forget to spend any time in the town itself!

    The city is not a tourist town and is first and foremost a thriving local hub, but there are some sights worth seeing, and the centre is easily walkable in an hour or so.

    Burns Avenue is the centre of town, a pedestrian street lined with restaurants, cafes, shops and tour agencies. Adjacent is a small, leafy square lined with restaurants and a small stage for events. Keep your eye out for street art, as there are some beautiful murals scattered around the town.

    There are two cool swing bridges across the Macal River to access San Ignacio. Both bridges can take car and foot traffic. The Twin-Towns Bridge is for traffic arriving into San Ignacio, and the Hawkesworth Bridge is for traffic leaving town.

    We wandered through the market, before crossing the river on the Twin-Towns Bridge. Look back over towards the market to find the colourful ‘San Ignacio’ sign and some beautiful murals. We walked along the leafy riverfront before re-entering San Ignacio town via the Hawkesworth Bridge.

    πŸ“ Get all these locations pinned on our custom Belize Google Map

    Large colourful letters spelling San Ignacio on the market building in San Ignacio Belize
    A metal swing bridge across a jungly river in San Ignacio Belize
    Brayden standing in front of a wall with a colourful Mayan mural on it in San Ignacio Belize

    12. Check out the San Ignacio Market

    The San Ignacio Market is located in the centre of the city and is a great place to get a taste of local life and stock up on some fresh produce, tasty snacks and souvenirs.

    San Ignacio is considered the capital of the Cayo District, and once a week on a Saturday, vendors come from all over the region to sell their produce and wares.

    The market is open every day, but timing your visit for a Saturday is the best time to see it at its liveliest. If you visit on another day, there will still be plenty of fruit and vegetables, but the restaurants and food stalls may not be open, and you might not find souvenirs for sale.

    Colourful vegetables stacked up at a market stall, one of the best things to do in San Ignacio Belize

    DETAILS

    • ⏰ When – the San Ignacio Market is open every day from 5:00 am – 6:00 pm, but Saturday is the best and busiest day to visit.

    • πŸ“ Where – the market is located beside the Macal River in central San Ignacio and is an easy walk from most places in town.  

    13. Wander through the Belize Botanic Gardens

    If you want to explore the jungle of San Ignacio without a costly tour, the Belize Botanic Gardens is a fantastic option.

    This 45-acre garden is full of native flora and fauna and is located just 20 minutes from the centre of San Ignacio.

    You can choose to explore the gardens on your own or take a guided tour to learn more about the plants and animals found on the grounds. The gardens will provide you with a map, and there are a ton of different trails you can explore, including along the Macal River.

    Brayden out of focus walking through lush green jungle in San Ignacio Belize

    DETAILS

    • ⏰ When – the gardens are open 7 days from 8 am – 4 pm, with guided tours running from 8 am – 2 pm.

    • πŸ’° Cost – at the time of writing, the entrance fee was $15 BZD, or for a 1.5-hour guided tour (including entrance), $30 BZD.

    • πŸ“ Where – the gardens are located around 20 minutes from San Ignacio.

    • πŸš• Getting there – you can take a taxi that will wait around for an extra fee, organise a shuttle with the gardens (more info on their Facebook page), or it’s an easy drive with your own rental car. 

    14. Go canoeing on the Macal River

    The Macal River runs through the heart of the town, and getting out on the water via a canoe is one of the most relaxing things to do in San Ignacio.

    The riverbank is shrouded with jungle, and you’re likely to see monkeys, iguanas and plenty of different birds. And have the opportunity to cool off with a swim in the river along the way!

    If you’re staying in a jungle lodge or riverfront accommodation, chances are you will have complimentary canoes or inflatable tubes included in your stay. Otherwise, you’ll need to organise a rental or tour.

    Whilst it’s possible to take a self-guided canoe tour, you’ll most likely only be able to get yourself downstream and will find it very challenging to return. So be sure to coordinate how you are going to get back if you DIY a rental.

    There are a couple of guided experiences on offer that take care of this for you.

    The Macal River in San Ignacio Belize, a vast jungle river surrounded by greenery

    DETAILS

    • πŸ›Ά Who (self-guided) – Tony’s Canoe Rental is an informal business run by a local, Tony. He sets up on the river across from the market in town, here. You can coordinate a time with him, and he will assist with meeting you at an agreed pick-up point later on, if you don’t want to paddle a return trip.

    • πŸ›Ά Who (tour) – Yellow Belly Backpackers offers a guided sunset canoe tour. Generally, it’s possible for non-guests to participate in hostel tours, but just reach out and confirm availability. Otherwise, the jungle lodge Chaa Creek offers a canoe tour for non-guests.

    15. Join a chocolate making experience

    Cacao was a sacred and important part of ancient Maya culture. At AJAW Chocolate, you can learn how to make chocolate the traditional Maya way, plus get more insight into the history and culture of the Maya.

    They’ll show you how to grind the cacao beans into a paste, add the same spices the Maya did and then, of course, sample the tasty chocolate drink you’ve created!

    A cacao tree, with 3 ripe red cacao fruits hanging off the branches.

    DETAILS

    • ⏰ When – AJAW Chocolate runs chocolate-making tours every hour on the hour, from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday to Saturday. Small groups can walk in without a reservation.

    • πŸ’° Cost – the tour costs $20 USD per person.

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    Mayan ruins around San Ignacio

    16. Cahal Pech

    Cahal Pech is a smaller set of Maya ruins, located close to the centre of San Ignacio. They could also fall into the category of things to do within the town, as they are within easy walking distance!

    Whilst not as impressive as Caracol or Xunantanich, these ruins are easily accessible and can be visited on your own, without any guide.

    There are over 30 structures that have been excavated, and they are in fantastic condition, giving you a really good picture of what the city would have been like at its prime.

    It’s a short uphill walk from town, but you’re rewarded with epic views over the jungle when you get there. Unlike other ancient cities, Cahal Pech is shaded by leafy trees, which is a sweet relief from the hot, tropical sun.

    This site doesn’t get too many visitors, so you might even be lucky enough to have it all to yourself! There is plenty of wildlife around, so keep your eyes peeled for agoutis (small, rodent-like animals), different types of birds, and be sure to listen for the noisy howler monkeys.

    The Cahal Pech ruins in San Ignacio framed through a brick doorway

    DETAILS

    • ⏰ When – Cahal Pech is open 7 days a week. Published opening hours are inconsistent, but the site should be open from around 6:30 am – 5:00 pm.

    • πŸ’° Cost – at the time of writing, the entrance fee for foreigners was $10 BZD and for locals $5 BZD.

    • πŸ“ Where – the ruins are located on the edge of town, around a 20-minute walk from the centre (with one steep hill to conquer).

    • πŸ’‘ Insider tip – head to the nearby Cahal Pech Resort afterwards, for a drink or a meal, and a swim in their beautiful pool! 

    17. Xunantunich

    An impressive set of Mayan ruins right near the Guatemalan border, Xunantunich was a thriving metropolis in AD 700 – 1000. The city is set around two plazas, with a number of different structures and temples. It’s possible to climb up El Castillo, a 40 m (130 ft) temple, to get 360-degree views over the jungle and into Guatemala.

    Xunantunich is set on top of a hill across the Mopan River, and getting to the ruins is half the fun! From the small village of San JosΓ© Succotz, you have to take a (free) hand-cranked cable ferry across the river. The rickety ferry even hauls cars and vans over the river to the ancient city!

    Once you reach the other side of the river, the entry is about 1.5 km (1 mi) away, uphill. If you’re not in a vehicle, you can tackle the short hike (keep your eyes peeled for wildlife). But if you arrive by car, taxi or on a guided tour, you will be driven to the entrance.

    From San Ignacio, any bus headed towards Benque Viejo del Carmen can drop you at the ferry. If the wait is too long, a taxi can take you for around $20 BZD. Expect to pay a bit more if you want them to cross the river, and be sure to confirm the cost before jumping in. If you’ve got your own wheels, it’s an easy 30 – 40 minute drive.

    Although a guided tour isn’t necessary to visit the site, it can add a lot of value and bring the city to life. If you don’t have your own transport, it’s worthwhile considering taking a guided tour from San Ignacio that will get you to and from the site, and include a local guide to teach you more about Xunantunich.

    This half-day tour can be done either in the morning, or afternoon and includes pick up and drop off from your accommodation in San Ignacio.

    Xunantunich Mayan ruins in San Ignacio Belize

    DETAILS

    • ⏰ When – Xunantunich is open 7 days a week, from 8 am – 4 pm. The ferry starts running at 7:30 am.

    • πŸ’° Cost – at the time of writing, the entrance fee for foreigners was $10 BZD and for locals $5 BZD.

    • πŸ“ Where – the ruins are located about 40 minutes from San Ignacio near the Guatemalan border. See it on our Belize Google Map, including the location of the ferry.

    πŸ‘‰πŸΌ Book a Xunantunich tour with transport

    18. Caracol

    Caracol is Belize’s largest and most important Mayan ruins. Hidden away deep inside the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, visiting the Caracol ruins is an all-day affair.

    At its prime in AD 650, Caracol was one of the most powerful cities in the Maya world. It is thought to have spanned over 180Β² km (70Β² mi), housing over 150,000 people.

    Today, there is an extensive maze of restored structures and plazas, uncovered from the jungle. The highlight of the site is Canaa (aka the Sky Palace), which is still the tallest building in Belize to this day! Standing at 43 m (143 ft), it’s possible to climb up to the top of Canaa, for some epic views over the jungle.

    You can either take a guided tour or rent a car and self-drive.

    An aerial view of Caracol Mayan ruins in Belize, surrounded by lush jungle

    As with other roads in Mountain Pine Ridge, a larger car or SUV is recommended. Although upgrade works are currently happening on the roads, they aren’t complete all the way to Caracol. As of early 2025, it’s about 75% done, so the trip is much quicker and smoother than it ever has been.

    There used to be a risk of robbery on this long stretch of isolated road, and a convoy system was implemented for those driving to the site. However in 2024, the situation remains positive, and as far as we could tell, it was possible to drive to the site at any time on your own.

    From San Ignacio, it is 2-3 hours, depending on road conditions.

    If you’re not up for the lengthy drive on rough roads, take a guided tour. You will have an experienced driver in a 4×4 vehicle, and a knowledgeable guide who will bring the ancient city to life. This tour with the reputable MayaWalk Tours is a great option.

    DETAILS

    • ⏰ When – Caracol is open 7 days a week from 8 am – 5 pm.

    • πŸ’° Cost – at the time of writing, the entrance fee was $15 BZD.

    • πŸ“ Where – the ruins are located deep in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, around 2 hours from San Ignacio.

    πŸ‘‰πŸΌ Book a stress-free tour to Caracol with no off-road driving

    19. Tikal

    Although there is so much to see and do on the Belize side of the border, the close proximity to Guatemala makes a day trip to Tikal one of the most popular things to do in San Ignacio Belize.

    Of course, if you’re travelling onwards to Guatemala (as we were), you won’t need to factor this into your itinerary for San Ignacio. But if you’re just visiting Belize, you might consider taking the opportunity to visit one of the most powerful Mayan cities that ever existed.

    Tikal really is as impressive as everyone says it is, and it is one of the best Maya ruins we’ve ever been to. The jungle is incredible and we saw so much wildlife around the park.

    A pyramid temple at Tikal Maya ruins in Guatemala, with a tall pyramid shaped stone structure on a green lawn with jungle surrounding it

    A guided tour with transport included is by far the easiest way to navigate this experience. Whilst it’s totally possible to cross the border and take public transportation to Tikal yourself, if you want to get there and back within the day, it would be tricky and stressful.

    After crossing the border with your guide and making the approximately 2-hour drive to the ruins, you’ll get a guided tour inside the ruins. Your local guide will show you around the highlights of the park, and share information about what the city was like at its prime.

    We visited Tikal with a guide, and while we don’t normally opt for guided experiences, we learnt so much more than we would have on our own!

    You’ll have lunch included inside the park, and then a few hours of free time to continue exploring, return to your favourite temples, and take plenty of photos before returning to San Ignacio.

    An ancient Mayan temple in the jungle at Tikal in Guatemala

    DETAILS

    • 🚐 Tour or DIY – this is one experience we highly recommend doing as a tour. It is possible to DIY, but to get across the border and back in one day on your own would be very tricky. This tour from San Ignacio is highly rated and all-inclusive.

    • πŸ›‚ Border crossing – you will officially be leaving Belize and entering Guatemala, which means you need to bring your passport. You’ll have to pay the Belize exit tax, which is $40 BZD / $20 USD. Your guide will help you with all border formalities. 

    πŸ‘‰πŸΌ Book a guided tour to Tikal in Guatemala or read our complete guide to Tikal

    Things to do in San Ignacio: Final thoughts

    San Ignacio definitely deserves its reputation as the adventure capital of Belize! Tubing through caves, jumping off waterfalls, kayaking down rivers and spotting local wildlife – there are so many adventurous things to do in San Ignacio Belize.

    This inland town is worth a stop on your itinerary and offers a really nice contrast to the tropical cayes and beach towns. We really enjoyed seeing a different side of Belize and loved our time exploring the jungle and more authentic local towns.

    Don’t forget to read our San Ignacio travel guide for all the other logistical info you’ll need to plan your trip here.

    MORE SAN IGNACIO POSTS

    • San Ignacio Belize Travel Guide: Jungle Adventure Hub
    • Complete Guide to Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize
    • Guide to Cave Tubing in Belize: Our Experience & Tips
    • Exploring the Scenic Hummingbird Highway Belize

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    Sally Rodrick

    Sally Rodrick is the voice behind Sally Sees. She has spent 12 months travelling in Mexico and Central America, and has her sights firmly set on South America. Sally helps thousands of readers discover the magic of Latin America. Sharing detailed guides to inspire and equip them with the knowledge they need to plan their own epic adventures in this incredible part of the world.

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    Hi, I’m Sally

    Hi, I’m Sally

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