Mario Castellanos
Your Tour Guide
Mario is a native of Belize, fluent in English, Spanish and Creole language. He possesses a B Sc. in International Relations from the University of the West Indies (Upper Second Class Hons.). Worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize for 21 years and traveled widely also was teaching at a High School. After 7 years of working as a tour guide for some of Belize's better known Jungle Lodges, Mario found that he can better serve his clients as an independent tour guide. This allows him to tailor each and every tour to the needs of his customers rather than being pressed into a time schedule designed to get the maximum people with a minimum effort to the most sites. Mario Castellanos's tours will not only introduce you to all the famous sites of Belize, but you will also get an in-depth insight into the ecological aspects along the way. From ruins, birding, caves to river tubing, Mario has years of experience in the field and will take the time you need and desire to have the most pleasant and educational experience possible.
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Grace P Nathalie S Bozena B
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Departs From: San Ignacio Town
Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave is a cave in Belize, near San Ignacio, Cayo District, notable as a Maya archaeological site that includes skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware. There are several ... moreareas with skeletal remains in the main chamber. The best known as "The Crystal Maiden", is the skeleton of an adolescent (an 18-year-old girl), possibly a sacrifice victim, whose bones have been calcified to a sparkling, crystallized appearance. Recent studies, however, claim that the remains are male and not female.
The ceramics at the site are significant partly because they are marked with "kill holes", which indicate that they were used for ceremonial purposes. Many of the Maya artifacts and remains are completely calcified to the cave floor. One artifact, named the "Monkey Pot", is one of just four of its type found in Central America. The Maya also modified cave formations here, in some instances to create altars for the offerings, in others to create silhouettes of faces and animals or to project a shadow image into the cave. The cave is extensively decorated with cave formations in the upper passages.
Animal life in the cave includes a large population of bats, large freshwater crabs, crayfish, catfish, and other tropical fish. Large invertebrates like Amblypygi and various predatory spiders also inhabit the cave. Agouti and otters may also use the cave. These and many other species are quite common in river caves of this size in Belize.
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
This full day of adventure begins early to arrive at the famous Mundo Maya site of Tikal in Guatemala. Located in the picturesque jungle of Tikal National Park, the site promises splendid ... moreMaya structures, a museum of intriguing artifacts and regularly seen wildlife such as troops of Spider Monkeys, Upon your request, we can include on our return, the jungle zip line ride.
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
We depart early to visit one of the most impressive archeologically excavated sites in Belize. See the temple named Canaa, the tallest man-made structure in the country. Caracol was ... morebuilt by the Maya commencing around 300 B.C. and was prosperous until the 800's A.D. It is located on the Vaca Plateau in the Maya Mountains. Right next to the Chiqibul Forest Reserve. On the way back we make a stop at the scenic Rio On Pools to take beautiful pictures or take a swim in the refreshing water.
The Caracol tour is a Combo and includes on the way a visit to the Rio Frio Cave. This cave has a huge entrance and beautiful formations with the Rio Frio passing through it. You get an opportunity to take pictures and explore the cave.
Tours | Activities | Shuttles
The package deal can be arranged, including: Altun Ha, Baboon Sanctuary and Lamanai.
Type of Tour/Activity: Cultural Immersion
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
Customized tours into this, our third largest national park in Belize, can be arranged to fit your adventure preferences. Hiking, horseback riding, or four-wheel drive entry are available ... morewithin the 16,000-acre high forested jungle park nestled in the beautiful Maya Mountains. Only Minutes from San Ignacio you can enter into the Maya sacred offering caves, swim in waterfall waters of Sakt’aj, Surrounded by the famous wildlife and birds of Belize. We are pleased to offer all-inclusive day trips or overnight camping.
Type of Tour/Activity: Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
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Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave is a cave in Belize, near San Ignacio, Cayo District, notable as a Maya archaeological site that includes skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware. There are several ... moreareas with skeletal remains in the main chamber. The best known as "The Crystal Maiden", is the skeleton of an adolescent (an 18-year-old girl), possibly a sacrifice victim, whose bones have been calcified to a sparkling, crystallized appearance. Recent studies, however, claim that the remains are male and not female.
The ceramics at the site are significant partly because they are marked with "kill holes", which indicate that they were used for ceremonial purposes. Many of the Maya artifacts and remains are completely calcified to the cave floor. One artifact, named the "Monkey Pot", is one of just four of its type found in Central America. The Maya also modified cave formations here, in some instances to create altars for the offerings, in others to create silhouettes of faces and animals or to project a shadow image into the cave. The cave is extensively decorated with cave formations in the upper passages.
Animal life in the cave includes a large population of bats, large freshwater crabs, crayfish, catfish, and other tropical fish. Large invertebrates like Amblypygi and various predatory spiders also inhabit the cave. Agouti and otters may also use the cave. These and many other species are quite common in river caves of this size in Belize.
Type of Tour/Activity: Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
(1)
This full day of adventure begins early to arrive at the famous Mundo Maya site of Tikal in Guatemala. Located in the picturesque jungle of Tikal National Park, the site promises splendid ... moreMaya structures, a museum of intriguing artifacts and regularly seen wildlife such as troops of Spider Monkeys, Upon your request, we can include on our return, the jungle zip line ride.
Type of Tour/Activity: Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
St. Herman’s Cave was a sacred Maya ceremonial site in the Classic Period. The concrete steps at its entrance cover the original stone steps carved over a thousand years ago. From ... morethe cave, we take a 45-minute nature trail hike to the Blue Hole. This turquoise blue pool is surrounded by lush jungle, a great spot for birding and a refreshing dip.
Type of Tour/Activity: Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
Water adventures on the Mopan or Macal Rivers. Enjoy the scenery of beautiful birds, wildlife animals, fish, and orchids under the shady trees the watchful eye of our local iguanas ... moreare looking at you.
Type of Tour/Activity: Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
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Guided by experienced local fishermen, in a canoe or along the banks of the Macal, Mopan, or Belize Rivers, try your luck with a handline or fishing pole. Catfish or tuba are the usual ... morepan-sized catches, with even the game fish Tarpon in season.
Type of Tour/Activity: Water Sports
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
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An opportunity to view some of Belize's most beautiful birds. There are close to 600 species of birds, including approximately 20 to 25% migrants. Cayo District is an excellent place ... morefor bird watching with locations such as El Pillar, Mountain Ridge, Spanish Lookout, etc. In addition for avid bird watchers, packages can be customized to include other excellent locations in other parts of the country such as the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Lamanai, Blue Hole National Park, Baboon Sanctuary, Jaguar Reserve, Guanacaste National Park, and Gra Gra Lagoon and other locations. Bird-watching tours can also be combined with other tours for eg Mayan sites and nature walks.
Type of Tour/Activity: Wildlife and Nature Encounters
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
All-inclusive OVERNIGHT CAMPING adventures can be provided in your choice of several jungle forest areas. Horseback, hiking, or 4-wheel drive transport, it’s up to you.
Type of Tour/Activity: Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
(1)
In the late afternoons and into the night, many of the wonderful forest wildlife of Belize become very active. With a spotlight, flashlight, and motion camera, we can view the along ... moreour trail hike. Jungle forests only a few miles from San Ignacio are still the home of the monkey, Kinkajoo, Tapir, Deer, Koati, Agouti, Jaguarundi, Armadillo, Raccoon, Fox, Possum, Paca, Tyra, and others. This tour can be combined with several other half-day venues or included as overnight jungle camping.
Type of Tour/Activity: Jungle and Rainforest Adventures
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
Points of Interest Nearby
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