Highlights
- Cahal Pech Archaeological Site
- Cayo Welcome Center
- Hawksworth Bridge
- Macal River
About Location
San Ignacio Town is one of the twin towns located in the Cayo District. It is a small town, but there is a lot of culture and history to explore. San Ignacio is considered the main hub for adventures in western Belize and is a great place to go zip-lining, cave exploring, hiking, and more. The town is also home to a variety of historical monuments, including Archeological Sites such as Cahal Pech Mayan, Xunantunich, and Barton Creek Cave. San Ignacio is also a great place to sample Belizean food, and there are a number of restaurants in the town that offer traditional Belizean dishes. If you are looking for a place to experience the best of what western Belize has to offer, San Ignacio Town is the perfect destination.
Located 67 miles from Belize City is San Ignacio Town, connected by the Hawksworth Bridge to its twin town Santa Elena, San Ignacio is the largest town in the Cayo District and is a base for tourism activities throughout Cayo.
Features:
Phone Service Restaurants ATM services Banks Sports Bars Night Clubs Public Parks Market
Recommended Hotels
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Private Riverside Villas
Aliana's is a vacation rental property located near San Ignacio, Cayo. Aliana's sits on a 50-acre farm and includes three private riverfront villas. ... more
Gold Standard Transportation is provided via Belize Ground Shuttle.
Relax on the banks of the Mopan river just outside your doorstep and enjoy bird watching or take a refreshing swim to cool off at your pleasure. We have canoes and floating tubes available. A popular guest activity is to float down the Mopan river from the village of Bullet Tree Falls. The float takes about two hours. You can spot monkeys and a variety of bird species along the river. We also have an outdoor grill and brick oven available for use by all guests.
Each unit includes air-conditioned bedrooms for your comfort. The property is filled with many tropical fruit trees that you can enjoy when in season, such as mangoes, breadfruit, plums, star fruit, and others. The property may be booked for private events subject to availability.
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Find yourself in our award-winning Belize ecolodge. Situated on a 105-acre jungle reserve along the Macal River, settle into 10 intimate, rest in eco-friendly cabanas, nosh on farm-to-table ... morecuisine, sip tropical cocktails, cool off in our infinity pool, and graze with resident donkeys through our working, organic farm. Take the river by canoe or tube, hike jungle trails, and allow us to plan your excursions to the many natural wonders and Mayan sites in Belize.
Awards:
TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Winner 2020
Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Award 2020
Travel & Hospitality Awards - Lodge of the Year 2018 & 2019
Global Luzury Hotel & Spa Awards - Boutique Lodge of the Year 2019
TravelMyth Top 20 Accommodations for Honeymoons 2019
Latin American Business Awards - Best Boutique Lodge 2019
Belize Tourism Board Small Hotel of the Year 2010 & 2015
Belize Green Business Award 2011
Phone Number: +501-672-4040
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Conveniently located a short walk from downtown San Ignacio, Rolson Hotel offers comfortable accommodations and free WiFi access.... more
The hotel is a 15-minute drive from the western border, a 10-minute drive from the Xunantunich Maya Site and a 10-minute walk from the Cahal Pech Archaeology Site. The Princess Casino and the Green Iguana Conservation Project are a few minutes' walk away.
The rooms offer a mini-fridge, cable TV, alarm clock and a safety deposit box. They also include coffee and a coffee maker, 2 water bottles and ironing facilities. The private bathroom has a shower and hairdryer.
The on-site Mexican restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a variety of local dishes. It also has a fully equipped bar with top shelf liquor, cocktails and beers.
Staff at Rolson Hotel's front desk can assist with massage services, laundry and tours. Transfers from and to the airports are available for an additional charge. There is free parking.
Phone Number: +501 824-2730
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Recommended
Established in 1976, San Ignacio Resort Hotel is a Belizean and family-owned boutique Hotel located in the Cayo District, Western Belize. The Resort is centrally situated on a 17-acre ... moreprivate estate, 5-minutes away of Cahal Pech Maya temple and the popular San Ignacio Town—an area that features a variety of cultural, adventurous, and culinary experiences. This characteristic has dubbed the Resort as “the only jungle in town”.
The 27-room Resort is renowned for its hospitality services and features the award-winning Running W Restaurant (which showcases meats from the family’s ranch), an on-site tour company (Cayo Gial Tours), in-room wellness treatments, an outdoor swimming pool and tennis court area, the largest event facilities in the District, and the #1 Activity in San Ignacio, the Green Iguana Conservation Project.
Surrounded by rainforest and set next to the Macal River, Midas Resorts is a 10-minute walk from the centre of San Ignacio. The pretty complex features a hot tub, outdoor swimming ... morepool and attractive gardens.
Set in charming cabins, each villa and suite at the Midas Resort has bright décor and comes with a terrace. All accommodation has air conditioning, cable TV and a ceiling fan.
Guests can enjoy an English breakfast in the Midas’ dining room. There is also a bar, where free Wi-Fi is available.
The Midas Resort has an ideal setting for fishing and horse riding. The resort arranges trips to nearby caves and Mayan ruins, as well as bird watching excursions.
Located in San Ignacio, this rustic-style resort features spectacular views of the Belize River Valley and offers guests free Wi-Fi and an on-site restaurant. Cahal Pech Village Resort ... morealso has a tour desk.
Each suite and room at this property is totally air-conditioned and comes with a cable TV, a wardrobe, and a balcony. The private bathrooms feature a shower and toilet. Suites are also offered.
Local cuisine is served at the on-site restaurant, while guests will find other restaurants, many offering international cuisine, within a 10-minute walk.
Cahal Pech Village Resort can organize canopy tours and nature outings, or guests can relax at the outdoor swimming pool. Massages and other spa services can also be arranged.
The Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins are a 5-minute walk from the property, while Philip SW Goldson International Airport is a 1.5-hour drive away.
Wall Murals
There are a total of 9 resident species of parrots in Belize, with The Yellow-Headed Parrots already on the list of endangered species with an estimated 90% decline. ... more
We either had (my grandmother & neighbor) or still have a relative that keeps a parrot as a pet. The mural was not created to highlight that part of our culture, but to bring awareness to the species of parrots and its threats like habitat loss and poaching. Coexistence between wild birds and people is possible!
WHY BULLET TREE FALLS, CAYO: The village of Bullet Tree in the Cayo District was originally settled by loggers and chicleros. It was easy to select Jenny's Fast Food, a roadside restaurant as the new site after eating their salbutes (Mestizo dish: The fried corn dough topped with chicken, cabbage or lettuce, tomato, and jalapeño). While eating there you get to hear the sounds of parrots flying over and observe the numerous cyclists of the village.
Sponsored by: Belize Bird Rescue
Artist(s): Pablo Cambranes
The design in collaboration with artist Frank Tzib, illustrates the maize god, sitting on top of the head variant glyph. We intended to depict and honor the culinary tradition of many ... morehouseholds in San Ignacio.
Artist(s): Pablo Cambranes, Frank Tzib
Most Popular Tours
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
Journey to the ancient Maya ruins of Buena Vista on a horse for a closer experience with nature and to appreciate the wonders of our rainforest, flora, and fauna. This experience begins ... morein the Savana area enjoying the views riding along the banks of the Mopan River, you'd be lucky enough to spot the Howler Monkeys jumping from limb to limb and witness their powerful howl. You get to ride on Jungle trails heading to the different Plazas. where you will learn of its importance in Maya history. Depending on the water level you get to ride in the river. After the ride, we will drive 10 minutes to the site of Xunantunich. At the top of the highest temple, you'll behold a spectacular view, and miles of rainforest as well you will spot the border town of Benque Viejo (Belize) and neighboring Melchor de Mencos (Guatemala).
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
This adventure takes place along the Mopan River in San Jose Succotz Village, which was once considered a Mayan village, established in the eighteen hundreds. Crossing the Mopan River ... moreon a hand crank ferry followed by a mile drive to Xunantunich archeological site where you will learn how this was once a great and flourishing civilization. Thereafter, the fun and excitement begin by floating on your tube on one of the only rivers that have retained its name since the time of the Mayas the “Mopan River”. This floating adventure takes at least three hours downstream, part of the float is mellow but the rapids make the adventure more exciting. The rapids are point five-just enough to kick in some adrenaline.
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
ATM CAVE TOUR
Taking a journey into the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre”, will be one of the most enlightening, epic, and unique experiences ... moreof your life. Leave the world of the living behind as you venture into the heart of the ATM Cave with your licensed guide. Recently deemed the #1 Sacred Cave destination in the world by National Geographic, the ATM cave is not only beautiful geologically, with its crystalline stalactites and stalagmites, but also historically, as is a natural museum of ancient Mayan artifacts, as well as a sacred burial place. This is the final resting place of the “Crystal Maiden”, an ancient Mayan ceremonial victim, as well as the remains of 13 other sacrificed men, women, and children. MayaWalk guides have led government officials, National Geographic teams, the Discovery Channel, The British High Commission, and US Embassy officials into the ATM Cave.
This sacrificial site is accessed by approximately an hour's drive from our office in San Ignacio. Here we enter the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and park our vehicles at the ranger post. From this point on we are on foot, hiking through the jungle for approximately 45 minutes to the entrance of the cave. The hike includes three stream crossings. To access the cave, we swim across a small spring-fed pool with the assistance of a rope and wade into knee-high water into the dark underworld of the cave that allows us access to the extensive underground maze of tunnels, passageways, and chambers, climaxing in the ceremonial chamber housing stoneware, ceramics and the famed crystallized skeleton of the “Crystal Maiden”. We spend approximately 3 hours in the cave under the instruction of our experienced guides.
Leave your cameras behind and experience the power of ancient spirits with your mind, body, and soul. This is not only a physical adventure but a journey into the spiritual realm. We enter back into the jungle world and hike to our vehicles, where we relax and enjoy a homemade picnic lunch, with water and soft drinks, before driving back to San Ignacio.
Tours & Shuttles
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
This tour is done in collaboration with the Drums, not Guns Program. A member of the Program will be your instructor, teaching you the art of holding your drums, some history of the ... moreSambai, and how to play.
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
The Belizean people, especially those from the rural Creole villages, make wines from every fruit, herb, and vegetable they have available. These wines are made using simple ingredients ... moresuch as brown sugar and whatever fruit, herb, or vegetable you chose to flavor it with. Wine drinking is done for recreation and healing purposes. We meet you at the Cayo Welcome Center and we walk over to the Wildfire Artzmosphere where you get to relax and begin your wine tasting. You get to choose 5 flavors from a variety of local herbs and fruit flavors including banana, mango, strong back herb, spiced t-back herb . . .
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
We'll pick you up at the Cayo Welcome Center and we walk over to the Wildfire Artzmosphere where you will be greeted with a glass of local Belizean wine. After which you will get to ... moreindulge in 4 Belizean dishes filled with spices in every bite as we explore and enjoy foods from 4 of our major cultures within Belize. We start with a Creole delicacy and one of my childhood favorites, "Boil Up". Boil Up just as the name implies, is a number of boiled local root vegetables, eggs, pigtails, and fish covered in a special coconut-flavored tomato and onion sauce.
From there, we delve into the savory sensations of the Mestizo culture. You will get to indulge in the diverse corn-based foods and enjoy Belizean favorites; salutes, garnaches, and empanadas. Of course, we will be having Mayan food as well, and since we already had so much corn we're going to have some "Relleno de negro" which is a Mayan specialty also known to locals as "black dina" with coconut white rice. Last but definitely not least, we discover the authentic flavors of the Garifuna culture where we get to eat some Darasa with coconut curried vegetables and stewed beef. Darasa can be considered the Garifuna version of the Belizean tamales. We end by making our own Belizean sweet treat called "Wangla". This Experience is guaranteed to leave you "Belizeanized!"
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
We meet at the Cayo Welcome Center where you get an introduction to Belize and San Ignacio and a glimpse of what life was like before the Welcome Center was built. We then take a walk ... moredown Burns Avenue also known as the Tourist street, walking up to Constitution Park where we talk about the colonial history of the community in comparison to what we presently see.
We point out major historical buildings and landmarks like the San Ignacio Police Station and the Hawkesworth Bridge which we will also take a walkover as we go to the twin town of Santa Elena. We will make a stop at one of our major tortilla factories where guests get to learn how modern-day corn tortillas are made and the processes and machines being used.
We cross back into San Ignacio town using the low wooden bridge where you get some history of the Macal River that flows beneath it. Our final stop will be the San Ignacio Farmers Market where you get to sample exotic Belizean fruits, learn the medicinal values of the foods and herbs available, and make your own corn tortilla the traditional Mayan way. We then take you back to the Cayo Welcome Center as we end the tour.
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
The Mystical Mayan Experience is a three (3) part tour: (VEGAN/VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY) First stop: The San Ignacio Farmers Market where you will be introduced to the native crops that ... moreare in season in Belize, sampling exotic fruits. You will also get to see cultural foods, arts and crafts and "Made in Belize" souvenirs.
Second stop: Then off we go to one of our beautiful ancient Mayan sites; we choose between Xunantunich or Cahal Pech. There we will talk about the indigenous Mayans of Belize and what life was like for them back in the BC and early AD era. Guests get to explore and climb selected temples.
Third stop: To San Antonio Village we go. This is one of the few villages in the country of Belize where the people still follow their Mayan Traditions. Timotea and her family will welcome you and show you how to make your own corn tortillas and how to eat it in the Mayan way. You also get to sample the atole which is a Mayan corn drink. One of the highlights of the trip is the ceramic pottery making, and yes you get to make your own pottery of your choice. And finally, we sit down and eat a traditional Mayan lunch made from the crops harvested by the Women's Coop.
With our stomach's, minds and heart's content we deliver you back to San Ignacio Town or your place of stay so you can unwind and continue to enjoy your day.
Departs From: San Ignacio Town
You will join us at downtown San Ignacio where we will be hearing the cultural music. We will have a one-hour cultural dance session where you will get to learn to dance to the traditional ... moreGarifuna music also known to the locals as the "national music of Belize" which is called PUNTA. Punta came from the African word "Bunda" which means the movement of your buttocks. :-)
Need shared shuttle Transportation, and Transfers? We provide a comfortable ride to and from San Ignacio to Hopkins or Dangriga. Fares are for One-Way trips departing from the San ... moreIgnacio, Hopkins or Dangriga. Pickup and Drop off directly to your hotel or port.
Need shared shuttle Transportation, and Transfers? We provide a comfortable ride to and from the San Ignacio, Cayo to Placencia. Fares are for One-Way trips departing from San Ignacio ... moreor from Placencia. Pickup and Drop off directly to your hotel or port.
Need shared shuttle Transportation, and Transfers? We provide a comfortable ride to and from the Philip Goldson International Airport to San Ignacio/Cayo. Fares are for One-Way trips ... moredeparting from the airport or from San Ignacio. Pickup and Drop off directly to your hotel.
Type of Vehicle: Full Size Van
San Ignacio to Hopkins or Placencia Village One-way shared shuttle from San Ignacio, Cayo to Hopkins or Placencia. Shared shuttle services may have other passengers on board and can ... morebe subjected to schedule changes. We will always keep you updated via email or text.
The trip to Hopkins or Placencia is about 3 hours long via the Hummingbird Highway. The shuttle departs from Hode's Place in San Ignacio as soon as all passengers have boarded.
In Hopkins, guests are dropped off near the Hopkins Police Station. You may take a local taxi to your hotel (if needed). For guests heading to Placencia, individual drop-off to your hotel along the Placencia peninsula is included.
Please contact us via WhatsApp at +501 671-6390 if you have any questions or concerns.
Our departure times can range from 4:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, to 2:30 PM. For a different departure time please message us, we may be able to arrange it for you!
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