Things to do in  San Ignacio

Actun Tunichil Muknal, commonly known as the ATM Cave, is a popular adventure attraction outside San Ignacio in Belize’s Cayo district. Here, visitors experience an Indiana Jones-type excursion, hiking into the rainforest and across rivers to reach the cave, before wading through tunnels and passageways to see its stalactites and stalagmites. But Actun Tunichil Muknal is also a Maya archaeological site and sacred place, with artifacts and human remains visible to intrepid visitors.

Once a seat of the Maya empire, the ruins of the ancient city of Tikal are now the most famous archaeological site in Guatemala and one of the most-visited sets of pre-Columbian ruins in Latin America. The UNESCO World Heritage–listed Tikal National Park (Parque Nacional Tikal) consists of temples, plazas, pyramids, and two modern museums—plus diverse flora and fauna ranging from spider monkeys to jaguars.

Dating back to the eighth century and partially restored, Xunantunich in western Belize once served as a Maya civic-ceremonial center. Xunantunich, which means “Maiden of the Rock,” features towering temples and replica stucco friezes, giving visitors a sense of how impressive this city would have been in its heyday. Keep your eyes open for a glimpse of the maiden’s spirit—she’s reported to have red glowing eyes and lingers near the main temple complex.

After Hurricane Hattie struck Belize City in 1961, the decision was made to move the capital and government offices inland. The town now called Belmopan, part of the Cayo District, was built and became the landlocked capital of Belize. Just an hour from Belize City, and equally close to San Ignacio, Belmopan is a calm area with markets, coffee shops, and restaurants.

Altun Ha, site of the ruins of an ancient Mayan city, covers about 3 square miles (8 square kilometers) of Belizean countryside. The central area has more than 500 historic structures, mostly built during the Maya Classic era (AD 200 to 900). Join a private or group tour to learn how the city’s 10,000 inhabitants lived.

Spread out along the banks of the Mopan River, this small rural village is the jumping-off point for Xunantunich, one of Belize’s most impressive Maya sites. The pace of life in the town is slow, although a steady stream of visitors pass through en route to the jungle-surrounded stone ruins on the far side of the river.

Meaning "submerged crocodile" in Yucatan Mayan, Lamanai is perhaps the most mysterious Maya site in Belize, because it is not yet completely uncovered. See history in the making as you visit the excavation site, where some temples still remain buried underground. Exposed structures that rise from the jungle floor offer plenty to explore.

Located near the Guatemalan border, the ancient Maya city of Caracol is the largest archeological site in Belize. Discovered in 1938, Caracol covers about 65 square miles (168 square kilometers) and includes more than 35,000 structures, five plazas, and an abundance of jungle. Visit on a day trip for a unique look at Maya life.

Established as a reserve in 1944, the 100,000-acre Mountain Pine Ridge is easily the most breathtaking scenery in all of the Cayo District, if not Belize. The Chiquibul Road will lead you through pine forests, waterfalls, cascading water pools over granite boulders and the Maya Mountains in the distance—it’s a sight to be seen.

Tropical forest surrounds the sapphire cenote after which this national park is named, while two cave systems—Crystal and St. Herman’s—extend across part of the 575-acre (230-hectare site. The park’s caves contain sculptural limestone formations and Maya relics, while above ground, nature trails weave through the jungle foliage.

Among all the Maya caves in Belize, Barton Creek Cave is unique: a tall river cave that was once used for sacrificial purposes and can be explored only by canoe. The most striking feature is a stalactite so low, you occasionally will have to duck into the canoe to avoid getting struck. But the ride to the end is well worth it.

Set amid the pine-covered and boulder-strewn slopes of Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, this 150-foot (46-meter curtain of roaring white water is one of many picturesque waterfalls that dot this wooded wilderness area. Hidden behind the forest foliage, the falls attract bathers who come to swim in the pool at its base.

Located just a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the town center of San Ignacio, Cahal Pech is a small but significant archaeological reserve that can be visited in a couple of hours. The site, which was settled around 1,000 BC and abandoned in AD 800, includes plazas, ball courts, an altar, and even a royal burial chamber.

Crystal Cave, also known as Mountain Cow Cave, is located within the Blue Hole National Park near Belmopan, Belize’s capital city. Sacred Mayan rituals and important ceremonies were once performed here, and visitors today will see remnants such as ceremonial bowls, pots, and even skeletal remains from sacrificial victims. It is also full of natural wonders including rock formations, massive stalagmites, and crystal clusters.

Belize’s largest butterfly garden houses more than 30 native butterfly species, which flit freely about in a 4,000-square-foot (1,220-square-meter) enclosure. Learn about the butterfly life cycle at this nature center that attracts everyone from butterfly novices to researchers. Hummingbirds are also frequent visitors.