Exploring San Ignacio, Belize: Adventures And Relaxation

San Ignacio in Belize is a popular eco-tourist destination. It is known for its stunning archaeological sites and is surrounded by lush rainforest and wildlife. Here are some of the best things to do when visiting:

- Visit the ancient Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, and El Pilar

- Explore the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, a sacred site that was once used for human sacrifices

- Take a canoe tour of Barton Creek Cave, a former ceremonial ground for the ancient Maya

- Visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project, which aims to protect the endangered green iguanas of Belize

- Go horseback riding through the ancient Maya jungle city of Minanha

- Discover the beautiful Belize Botanic Gardens

- Take a day trip to Tikal in Guatemala, home to the impressive Mayan Ruins of Yax Mutal

Explore the ATM Cave

The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave is a must-see for anyone visiting San Ignacio, Belize. This ancient Mayan underworld, deemed the "#1 Sacred Cave destination in the world" by National Geographic, is a challenging but rewarding full-day excursion. Here's everything you need to know about exploring the ATM Cave.

Getting There

The ATM Cave is located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, about an hour and a half drive from San Ignacio. Most visitors join a guided tour, which includes transportation to and from the cave. The tour typically begins with a 45-minute hike through the jungle to reach the cave entrance. Along the way, you'll encounter native plant species and wade across the Roaring River three times.

What to Expect in the Cave

The ATM Cave is not for the faint of heart. To enter, you'll need to swim across a small spring-fed pool into the dark underworld of the cave. Inside, you'll navigate through an extensive maze of tunnels, passageways, and chambers. Be prepared for swimming, climbing, and scrambling over rocks. At times, you'll need to use all four points of contact (hands and feet) to manage your way through small areas. One of the highlights of the cave is the "Cathedral," a dry chamber where you'll remove your footwear and explore in wet socks to protect the sensitive limestone floor. Here, you'll witness Mayan artifacts, pottery, and skeletal remains, including the famed "Crystal Maiden," a fully preserved ancient Mayan sacrificial victim.

What to Bring and Wear

Wear closed-toe shoes that can get wet, such as water shoes or hiking boots, and bring a change of clothes, dry sandals or flip-flops, a towel, a reusable water bottle, and swimwear. It's also mandatory to wear socks inside the cave for preservation reasons. Do not bring any cameras or electronic devices, as these are banned by the Government of Belize to protect the sacred site.

Tour Details and Booking

The ATM Cave tour is typically an 8-9 hour experience, including transportation, the jungle hike, and time spent inside the cave. Tours usually depart early in the morning, around 8:00 AM, and return to San Ignacio by 3:30 PM. You can book your tour with a reputable company like Mayawalk Tours, which provides knowledgeable and experienced guides. The cost of the tour usually includes round-trip transportation, safety gear, and a Belizean lunch.

Visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project

The Green Iguana Conservation Project is an interactive exhibit located at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. The project aims to protect and educate people about the endangered Green Iguanas of Belize. The conservation project is set in a lush 14-acre rainforest, where you can learn about the breeding and return-to-the-wild iguana program.

The project offers an insightful 45-minute tour that runs daily from 8 am to 4 pm. The tour leaves every hour and gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the incubation, hatching, rearing, and releasing processes. Visitors are encouraged to keep a safe distance from the iguanas and admire them without touching.

The Green Iguana Conservation Project is highly regarded by visitors, with one review stating:

> My family stopped at the San Ignacio Hotel to visit the Iguana Sanctuary. The purpose of the sanctuary is to raise the iguanas and set them free into the wild. During our visit, we learned so much about the iguanas... what they like to eat, mating habits, how they protect themselves, and much more. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and interesting. We were able to hold the adult iguanas as well as the babies, which are kept in a nursery. Very much worth the visit."

The project also offers an 'Adopt an Iguana' program, which helps raise funds for the project and provide scholarships for local children. This initiative has assisted Belizean students with 12 tuition scholarships since its inception.

Tour Tikal National Park

San Ignacio in Belize is a great destination for those who want to explore Mayan history and culture, as well as ecotourism activities. One of the best things to do in San Ignacio is to take a day trip to the Tikal National Park in Guatemala, which houses the ruins of an ancient Mayan city dating back to the 6th century BC. Here is a detailed itinerary for a tour of Tikal National Park:

• Getting There: Tikal National Park is located in Guatemala, just across the border from Belize. You can book a day trip from San Ignacio, which includes round-trip transportation. Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive yourself to the park.
• When to Go: The park is open year-round, but the dry season (November to April) is generally considered the best time to visit, as there is less rain and the temperatures are more comfortable.
• What to Expect: Tikal National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in Central America. The park consists of temples, plazas, and pyramids, with the tallest structure being the "Caana" or "Sky Palace".
• Wildlife: Tikal National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including howler and spider monkeys, exotic birds such as macaws and parrots, and larger mammals like armadillos and brocket deer. The park is also a great place for birdwatching, with over 600 bird species in Belize.
• Tours: There are several tour options available, including private and group tours. A knowledgeable guide can provide insight into the history and significance of the site. Some tours also include a stop at the nearby Rio Frio Cave, a limestone cavern used by the Maya for ceremonies.
• What to Bring: Wear comfortable shoes and lightweight clothing, as it can get hot and humid in the park. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and plenty of water.
• Entry Fee: The entry fee for the park is typically included in the price of the tour.
• Other Activities: In addition to exploring the ruins, you can also go wildlife spotting, especially at sunrise or sunset when the park is less crowded. There are also several nearby attractions, such as the Rio on Pools, a natural waterpark, and the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, which is home to popular waterfalls.

Visit the Cahal Pech Maya Ruins

The Cahal Pech Maya Ruins are a must-see when visiting San Ignacio, Belize. Located just a mile south of the town, Cahal Pech is one of the oldest recognisable Maya sites in Western Belize, with evidence of continuous habitation dating back to 1200 BCE. The site was a palatial, hilltop home for an elite Maya family and was settled around 1000 BC before being mysteriously abandoned in 800 AD.

The name Cahal Pech means "place of ticks" in the Yucatec Maya language, referring to the tick-infested pastures that farmers used for grazing cattle. The site consists of 34 structures, including a mix of workplaces, homes, temples, palaces, ball courts and stelae, with the tallest temple reaching a height of 25 meters. One of the temples commands a stunning view of the surrounding Belize River Valley.

When visiting the Cahal Pech Maya Ruins, be sure to stop by the visitor centre and museum, which features a model of the site, paintings depicting Cahal Pech in its heyday, and an interpretive film. You can also explore the royal burial chamber, where a ruler was laid to rest alongside a vast array of assets, including jade and shell ornaments, pottery vessels, and obsidian blades. The most impressive find is a jade and shell mosaic mask.

The Cahal Pech Maya Ruins tour is often combined with other half-day tours, such as the Xunantunich Maya Ruins, river canoeing on the Macal River, horseback riding, or a visit to the Butterfly Farm. Whether you explore on your own or with a guide, Cahal Pech offers a fascinating glimpse into the past and is a highlight of any trip to San Ignacio.

Explore Mountain Pine Ridge

Established in 1944, the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is a beautiful national park to visit on your vacation. The reserve is home to popular waterfalls like Big Rock and Rio on Pools, and it's one of the best places for birdwatching in Belize.

Mountain Pine Ridge is a nature lover's paradise. Your day is consumed by going on nature hikes, birding, and chasing waterfalls. The reserve is full of dirt roads and natural trails that lead you through a spectacular landscape riddled with awe-inspiring waterfalls. Granite hillsides filled with pristine ravines, rivers, natural pools, picturesque streams, and majestic cascades are found among a carpet of pine trees that have stood the test of time.

The Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve covers an area of approximately 300 square miles. It is the oldest and largest protected forest in the country. Tucked away in the Maya Mountains, it is roughly a 3-hour drive from Belize City. Its remote location makes for an intimate and unspoiled experience.

• Visit Caracol, the largest Mayan empire in the country.
• Get wet at Rio on Pools, a natural water park with slippery moss-covered rocks and refreshing waterfalls.
• Walk into the Rio Frio Cave, a 65-foot-tall cavern used by the Maya for ceremonies.
• Explore the Barton Creek Cave, a famous archaeological site and Maya ceremonial cave.
• Visit Butterfly Falls, a 150-foot waterfall that requires a short hike to access.
• Go birdwatching. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is home to a variety of bird species, including rufous-capped warblers, common crossbills, and pine siskins.

Frequently asked questions