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The Cayo District
Situated on the border with Guatemala, The Cayo District, at the centre of which is the small town of San Ignacio, is a land of adventure. With its jungle covered limestone hills riddled with caves and peppered with Mayan ruins, time here is spent exploring.
The town of San Ignacio is the sleepy capital of the district, originally settled by British loggers looking for valuable hardwoods. Lodges here are located outside the town amid nature, giving you easy access to the Mayan Mountains that have hidden within; the remote Mayan ruins of Caracol, numerous waterfalls that cover the Mountain Pine ridge park, wildlife spotting, canoe trips, horse riding, mountain biking, trekking and the dark limestone caves that were once the burial sites of the Maya.
The contrast to the coastal plains and its close proximity to the Guatemalan border make’s San Ignacio and the Cayo District an ideal base to explore as well as access the greatest Mayan ruin of them all, Tikal. THINGS TO SEE AND DO
The Cayo District has a huge range of activities, so we would recommend calling us to talk through the below options in more detail.
Actun Tunichil Mucnal. The ATM caves (Mayan for 'Stone Sepulchre Cave') is a unique caving experience, combining outstanding natural formations and the untouched remains of ancient Maya rituals. Canoe or Tubing. The Macal River is the place for this and you can drift down this tropical river, spotting Toucans flying overhead and giant iguanas clinging to the trees. Caracol. This impressive but remote Mayan city was the largest in Belize with twice the population of the modern day capital. It now stands in a broadleaf tropical forest and is a working site as archaeologists unpick its mystery and importance.
Mountain Pine Ridge. This 146,000 acre forest reserve just south of San Ignacio covers valleys of hardwoods filled with orchids, bromeliads and butterflies, and its steep ridges give way to pine trees and waterfalls.
Mountain biking and horse riding. There are numerous trails around the area from flat to mountainous, so please ask before departing! Xunantunich. This small Mayan ruin is known for its impressive friezes and hieroglyphics. From the top of El Castillo temple you are rewarded with views of the Mopan River. Barton Creek Cave. Drift through the darkness in silence you discover the ancient Mayan offerings to the underworld. They interred at least 28 people, many of whom were sacrificial offerings!
Recommended lodges in this area:
The Cayo District
Unquestionably the best lodge option in the region. Situated a 30 minute drive outside of the town, the lodge has access to all the main attractions in the area, yet is pleasingly far enough away from it all to feel like you are in the middle of the jungle.
The Cayo District
Pooks Hill lodge is located approximately an hour drive outside of the town of San Ignacio and as such is more of a jungle lodge than a town hotel. The lodge is surrounded by pristine jungle and has a range of walking trails
The Cayo District
Located on the hill above the town of San Ignacio this is a very good budget option. You are close enough to the town to sample the local cuisine and the hotel is located next door to the Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech
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