Top San Ignacio Day Trips

Head out on an adventure-filled day with this day tour from San Ignacio. First up, you’ll explore the Maya Temple of Xunantunich with a guide who can relay all the stories about the complex. After a delicious lunch on the way, you’ll get to spend the afternoon cave tubing in Noh Hoch Chen Archaeological Reserve. As you’re propelled through each cave, your guide will be able to fill you in on the ecology of the landscape.

Step back in time to the powerful peak of the ancient Mayan civilization with this guided 3-hour tour of the Xunantunich ruins. Let your imagination run wild as you explore the temples, plazas, and royal palaces of the famed archaeological site by foot. From the top of the imposing El Castillo pyramid, take in panoramic views of the surrounding Belize River Valley and the ancient city below. Round-trip transport from your San Ignacio hotel is included.

Explore the ancient Maya city of Caracol with a full-day tour from San Ignacio that includes the Río On pools and the Río Frio caves. Follow your guide through the vast archaeological site, stand in the field of the ball court, and take in sweeping views of the jungle from the peak of the sky temple pyramid. Follow the history of Caracol in the glyphs, stelae, and carvings throughout the site, and then finish your day swimming in natural pools and visiting a vast limestone cave system in Pine Ridge.

Visit the incredible ancient city of Tikal without having to rent a car on this day trip from San Ignacio. Once a powerful city center during the Mayan period, today Tikal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws scores of visitors each year. Your professional guide takes you across the border into Tikal National Park in Guatemala and leads you on a fascinating tour of the archaeological complex.

Explore Tikal, one of the most important Mayan sites in Central America, on this extensive all-day small-group tour. Accompanied by a bilingual guide, you'll learn about local history and the flora and fauna. Visiting Tikal at sunset also allows you to explore the site with fewer tourists and during cooler temperatures.

Xunantunich with river tubing is an awesome combination tour. After hiking the beautiful Mayan site you will get to relax in an inner tube and float down the lazy Mopan river. Exploring some of the best flora and fauna that lay on the bank of the river edge. Floating down the river and being sun kissed by the sun on a beautiful day like a dream come true. It's an experience of a lifetime that you could enjoy with your other half, family or friends. Come and let your well trained tour guide make it one to remember.

This is a private day tour, meaning only your group will participate. Travel from San Ignacio Belize to Tikal with full border assistance, explore the site at a relaxed, personalized pace, and enjoy a private local expert guide who leads you through jungle trails, shares Tikal’s history and culture, helps spot wildlife, and takes you to the best viewpoints. The experience is completed with an included lunch and personalized attention throughout the journey.

Journey to Lamanai, one of Belize’s most iconic Maya cities — hidden deep in the jungle and accessible only by boat. This unforgettable full-day adventure combines a scenic drive departing San Ignacio, a wildlife-rich river cruise, and a guided exploration of towering temples surrounded by rainforest. With roundtrip transfers, lunch, entrance fees, and a guided tour included, you can simply relax and enjoy the journey Highlights Visit one of Belize’s most impressive ancient Maya cities in the jungle Cruise the New River with opportunities for wildlife spotting Learn the legends, history, and symbolism of Lamanai with a licensed guide Includes pickup and drop-off from San Ignacio / Cayo, lunch, tour guide, entrance fees and taxes Perfect day trip for travelers staying inland who want culture + nature in one tour. The easiest way for inland travelers to experience one of Belize’s most iconic Maya sites without having to arrange transportation to Belize City.

Feel like a jungle explorer as you cruise through the wild forests of Belize’s Cayo district on a private pontoon boat. Float down a river that winds through the mystical Maya Mountains, stopping to swim and cliff jump at three different tropical waterfalls buried deep in the rainforest. A fresh Belizean lunch cooked right on board the pontoon completes this fantastic full-day adventure.

Barton Creek Cave Cave and Green Hills Butterfly Farm offer visitors a unique experience that cannot be found elsewhere. Barton Creek Cave offers a chance to explore a natural wonder that has been shaped by millions of years of geological processes, while Green Hills Butterfly Farm provides an immersive experience into the world of Butterflies. Visitors can also witness the different stages of a butterfly's life cycle and learn about the important role that they play in pollination and the ecosystem.

Discover pristine forests, limestone caves and scenic waterfalls on a full-day trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve from San Ignacio. Visit the hidden source of the Rio Frio river, then slip into the water at a series of natural pools and rock slides. Pause for a picnic lunch before continuing to Big Rock Falls, a 150-foot (46-meter) waterfall that gives off a cooling spray of mist as it tumbles into a clear, deep swimming hole, then return to San Ignacio through the rugged mountain terrain.

Explore Guatemala’s most stunning Maya city on a full day trip from San Ignacio with lunch at a nearby restaurant. Travel back in time as you follow your guide through the remarkable ceremonial center, where weathered stelae, sweeping plazas and imposing temples tell dramatic stories about this ancient civilization. Spot wild turkeys, monkeys and tropical birds within the ruins, and stop to browse Maya crafts and souvenirs at a nearby shop before returning to Belize—don’t forget your passport.

Follow the footsteps of the ancient Maya on a full-day trip to Caracol from San Ignacio, and go deep into the jungle to discover a remarkable archeological site. Watch for bright tropical birds and howler monkeys as you explore the sprawling ruined city, and take in views of rolling forest canopy from the top of the Caana pyramid. Trace the history of the site in a vivid series of carved stelae and stone altars, then visit a natural swimming pool in the Mountain Pine Ridge before returning to the city.

Travel from San Ignacio into the jungles of northern Belize on a small-group day tour that makes it easier to reach the remote Lamanai ruins. Cruise along the New River to the archaeological site, avoiding complex road routes and turning the journey itself into part of the experience. Once there, explore the temples, plazas, and former royal areas with a guide who provides context on the ancient Maya city.

Enjoy a full day of adventure by exploring a cave and temple from San Ignacio. Begin by heading to San Jose Succotz, a Maya village, where you’ll board a ferry to cross the Mopan River. From here, you’ll be immersed in beautiful jungle surrounding the Xunantunich Maya Temple. After exploring the temple with a guide, head to Actun Tunichil Muknal where you’ll hike and explore this natural cave steep in Mayan history and culture.

Step into the ancient world of the Maya on a shared day tour to Tikal departing from San Ignacio, Belize. Travel through the jungle, cross the border with ease, and explore one of Central America’s most impressive archaeological sites with a knowledgeable local guide. Wander along forest trails as you spot wildlife, stand beneath towering temples, and learn the stories behind Tikal’s powerful rulers and ceremonial plazas. This well-organized tour combines history, nature, and adventure, all at a relaxed pace that’s enjoyable for all ages.

Uncover the ancient secrets of Caracol, Belize’s largest and most impressive Maya archaeological site. Nestled within the lush Chiquibul Forest, this tour invites you to explore towering pyramids, sprawling plazas, and intricate carvings that speak of a once-powerful civilization. Enjoy a scenic drive through pristine jungle, guided by experts who share captivating stories of Maya history, architecture, and wildlife. Experience the tranquility of nature while enjoying a packed lunch amidst the forest before returning, enriched with knowledge and unforgettable views from the iconic Sky Palace. Venture into the heart of the Chiquibul Forest to explore Caracol Guided tour includes insights from knowledgeable local experts Enjoy a packed lunch in the serene surroundings of the jungle Immerse in a refreshing swim at the natural granite Rio-On Pools in the Mountain Pine Ridge, after exploring the ancient Maya City.

Discover the allure of cave kayaking in Belize, a hidden gem awaiting your adventurous spirit. Amidst the stunning karst limestone terrain, remnants of ancient marine life, lies a labyrinth of caves concealed from the world. After a scenic drive into the rugged mountains, gear up for adventure. With kayak paddle in hand and safety briefing complete, venture into the jungle, where dense vegetation gives way to the river's embrace. Guided by experienced leaders, navigate through this natural wonderland, indulging in a lunch of fresh vegetables and handmade tortillas along the way. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or seeking something new, this expedition offers a unique blend of excitement and tranquility. Few places offer the enchantment of cave kayaking. Don't miss the chance to emerge from the depths, mesmerized by the surreal beauty of this extraordinary journey. Experience Belize in a way few ever do, leaving with memories to last a lifetime.

Explore the dominion of the ancient Maya in Belize on a full-day tour from San Ignacio. Climb to the top of sacred pyramids and learn about the once-mighty civilization at the archaeological site of Xunantunich, and enter a portal to the Mayan underworld on a cave tubing adventure that takes you splashing through the crystalline caverns of an underground cave system. Round-trip transport from San Ignacio Town and lunch are included on this tour.

Ride a horse to the Maya ceremonial center of Xunantunich on this small-group tour from a riding stable in San Ignacio. Follow your guide along the gentle Mopan River, and watch for tropical birds and howler monkeys among the trees. Enjoy a sweeping view of the Xunantunich complex, then spend an hour at the fascinating site; take in the towering El Castillo pyramid and enjoy the serenity of the rural spot as you ride through the partially excavated ruins before returning to San Ignacio.

When your time in Belize comes to an end, make leaving easy with this shared departure transfer from your San Ignacio hotel to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE). This prompt, door-to-door shuttle service will pick you up at your hotel and take you directly to the international airport near Belize City, so you don't have to stress about taking your luggage on public transportation.

Walk in the footsteps of Mayan royalty at Belize’s magnificent Altun Ha ruins on this day trip from San Ignacio. A professional guide will lead you through the archaeological remnants of this ancient city, which was an important center of trade and religion during the Classic Mayan period. Among the complex of more than 500 excavated structures, you’ll visit grand plazas and ceremonial temples, including the discovery site of a famous carved jade figure of the Mayan sun god Kinich Ahau. Round-trip hotel transport is included.

Ride a horse deep into the countryside on a 2-hour private riding tour from San Ignacio along the Kiskadee Trail, and explore open pasture, jungle trails and the scenic Mopan River. Watch for parrots, herons and kiskadees as you follow your guide along a gentle path that’s appropriate for all skill levels, then pause to visit an ancient Maya site. Take in the tropical sounds of bird song and monkey calls, and enjoy the serenity of this rural valley before finishing your tour with return transfer to San Ignacio.