Top San Ignacio Day Trips

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.

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.

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.

Come experience Belize’s Subtropical jungle when you Zip lining over the forest canopy and fly over the spectacular view of the Caves Branch River. The rainforest is home to a rich diversity of insects, birds and animals such as the spider monkeys and kinkajous which are spotted during the zip lining tour. You are fastened to a harness which is attached to a cable. The experienced guides will instruct you on how to push off from the platform and soar into the forest canopy. The tour is 30 minutes of aerial jungle tour zip lining through a series of 8 platforms. MINIMUM 2 PERSONS

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 allows you to explore the site with fewer tourists and cooler temperatures. Note that entrance fees are not included and must be paid separately.

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.

Experience a real-life lazy river on a private cave tubing tour near San Ignacio. Head to the Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve and take a short hike to the cave. Then, spend a couple of hours tubing through caves on the river, taking in the sights as they pass you by. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

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.

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.

Step back in time with the legendary Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, named the #1 Sacred Cave in the world by National Geographic. On this full-day adventure from San Ignacio, trek jungle trails, cross rivers, and swim into underground passageways where history and nature meet. Guided by our expert, licensed guides, you’ll uncover glittering stalactites, ceremonial pottery, stone tools, and human remains, preserved in their original resting places for over a thousand years. An unforgettable mix of adventure and culture, this journey uncovers the Maya’s sacred rituals — ideal for adventurers, history buffs, and families Highlights - Hike, cross rivers, and swim into the cave entrance - See Maya artifacts and the Crystal Maiden skeleton - Knowledgeable guides, small groups, and personal attention - Transport, safety gear, hearty Belizean lunch, and all fees included - Your booking supports local community focused programs in Belize - Woman-owned local operator

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.

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.

Awaken your inner archaeologist and get deeper insight into the Mayan ruins of Caracol on this tour from San Ignacio. Journey deep into the jungles of Belize without worrying about self-driving to the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, home to one of the largest Mayan sites in the country. Your expert guide will illuminate the history of Caracol, which was once a mighty city and a rival of neighboring Tikal in Guatemala. Explore magnificent plazas, temples, palaces, and an observatory while learning about the social and religious practices of the ancient Mayans.

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.

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.

Go on an adventure to this incredible sacred cave in Belize. Drive from San Ignacio to Actun Tunichil Muknal, otherwise known as the Cave of the Stone Sepulchre. Here, you’ll follow guides as you wade through rivers and hike through the jungle to reach the cave entrance. Explore the stalactites, boulders and chambers of the cave, until you reach the remains of Crystal Maiden, believed to once have been a sacrificial offering to Gods.

Jump on an ATV and zoom through the forest of Cayo to reach hidden waterfalls. On this guided tour, you’ll ride through villages of Cristo Rey and San Antonio as you explore the rugged terrain in Elijio Panti National Park. The highlight of the tour is reaching a beautiful waterfall where you can jump in to splash around amongst the rocks. Your guide will provide a safety briefing and all necessary accessories to make you feel safe.

End your time in Belize on a high note and take an economical airport shuttle to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) from San Ignacio. Your driver meets you directly at your accommodation to begin your journey. After collecting all of the passengers, enjoy a swift transfer to the airport where you arrive with plenty of time before your departure flight.

local tour guides share local knowledge of Belize. explore trails and local use of plants. Give you enough time to explore and enjoy the freshening waters the pools and water Falls. enjoy a Belizean Lunch and local drink while at the water Fall. just imagine having a picnic by water falls or pools