Would you like to escape to a place where nature's magic takes hold? San Ignacio is the ideal destination for total immersion. A small, colorful town nestled deep within the tropical jungle, San Ignacio will captivate you with its magnificent natural sites.

Gateway to Belize, this Belizean town sits on the banks of the Macal River, just near the Guatemalan border, in the Cayo District. A place where the heritage of Maya civilization adorns the landscape, San Ignacio reveals a great deal of Belizean culture and its people.

A little history of San Ignacio

Once, this part of Central America was dominated by the Maya people. But around the beginning of the second millennium, many decided to abandon their settlement after a violent earthquake destroyed the territory.

The charming town was later discovered by the Spanish at the beginning of the 19th century. They named it El Cayo and officially founded the town on October 19, 1904. El Cayo was therefore part of British Honduras, now Belize.

San Ignacio today

San Ignacio enchants its visitors with the warm welcome of its inhabitants and the unique atmosphere it offers. The town is distinguished mainly by its colorful wooden houses, most of which are supported by stilts.

The cosmopolitan city of Cayo

With a very diverse population, San Ignacio enjoys an impressive blend of cultures. Home to approximately 20,000 inhabitants, the town is predominantly inhabited by descendants of the Maya people, Black Creoles, South Americans, Guatemalans, Mennonites and Mestizos. Indians and Chinese also live in the region and are mostly merchants. It is also possible to meet Lebanese and Mopan people.

What to see in San Ignacio?

Appreciated for its sumptuous natural sites, San Ignacio is a paradise for nature lovers. It also attracts a good number of tourists thanks to its impressive Maya ruins.

Discovering Maya remains…

The largest Maya site in Belize! This Maya city was named because of the countless snail shells that abound in the area. It was in the 1930s that the city of Caracol was discovered, revealing remarkable pyramids that absolutely deserve to be immortalized in photographs. Dominated by the tall Cana Temple Pyramid, Caracol and its beauty are well worth the detour.

The small site of Cahal Pech

Located just a few minutes' walk from the center of San Ignacio, Cahal Pech houses Maya ruins.

The Barton Creek Caves

These limestone caves promise you a memorable experience. To admire the caverns and their treasures, you must first cross the village of Upper Barton Creek before beginning your exploration by kayak. The Barton Creek caves hide within them works of art used by the Maya people as well as relics. You can swim and refresh yourself in the Barton Creek River.

A day in the great outdoors!

An excursion ideally dedicated to adventure sports enthusiasts, San Ignacio challenges you with its splendid natural sites, particularly the spectacular Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve or the ATM cave. Obviously, you must be in good physical condition to explore these wonders.

The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

Also called the ATM cave, this jewel of San Ignacio promises you an epic adventure in the heart of the jungle. It's also the perfect opportunity to test your endurance. To access the cave, you must indeed take a walk of approximately one hour through the tropical forest. You must then swim to discover this sacred Maya site. Beyond the breathtaking beauty of the natural cavern, you will also have the opportunity to learn about Maya religious practices. Climbing enthusiasts can practice their favorite activity by exploring the stalactite cavities of the cave. According to this people's beliefs, this cave was the home of their deities.

The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

A dreamlike place and a heavenly corner, Mountain Pine Ridge will surely dazzle you. A pristine forest rich with several animal and plant species, this nature reserve is covered with pines. The must-see attractions on the site are:

• Rio on pools: formed by several small waterfalls dotted with natural pools, this place is perfect for swimming.
• Big Rock Falls: splendid waterfalls with a pool downstream where you can refresh yourself after a 150-foot jump.
• Thousand Foot Falls: the highest waterfall in Central America, the thousand-foot falls spout crystal-clear water from its sources while offering an unobstructed view of the surrounding area.
• Rio Frio Cave: a cavern of majestic charm, you can admire enormous stalactites there, well lit by its open-air vault.

Discovering the richness of its biodiversity

If you are not fond of hiking, the botanical garden remains a must-visit stop. You can stroll through it with your family and admire the beauty of the landscapes. San Ignacio also boasts an incredible collection of fauna and flora that you can spot in its green spaces. Don't miss the opportunity to observe Belize's green iguanas at the Belize Iguana Project.

When to visit San Ignacio?

Subject to a savanna climate, San Ignacio benefits from warm summers. The best period to visit is April. This month offers stays away from cold and rain. However, you can still visit San Ignacio at any time of year. In summer, rainfall is quite heavy but the days are long enough to make the most of your stay.

February is the driest month of the year while September turns out to be much rainier. Cold is most noticeable in January. On the other hand, temperatures reach their peak in May.

Eager to visit San Ignacio? The town is located in a fairly isolated part of Belize. That said, you can reach it either from Belize City airport or from Guatemala. Indeed, the road from Belize airport terminal to the Guatemalan border passes through San Ignacio. So you can make your journey by bus, private car or shuttle.

From Flores in Guatemala, you can take a bus from Nueva that will take you to the border.

For information, the closest Guatemalan village to the border is called Melchor de Mencos. The one in Belize is called Benque Viejo del Carmen.

San Ignacio's town center is quite small. A walk on foot is therefore suitable for making the rounds.