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Things to do in San Ignacio, Belize

Our most recommended things to do in San Ignacio, Belize

San Ignacio: Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave Full-Day Tour

1. San Ignacio: Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave Full-Day Tour

Depart from San Ignacio and head to the starting point for your hike. Make your first river crossing band hike to the cave entrance for a safety demonstration. Make your way into the cave, swimming and then walking through the main water passage until you reach the boulder and head to the dry chamber. To enter the chamber, you will be required to slip off your shoes in order to protect the cave. Marvel at the cave's artifacts, most of which have been calcified into the ground, unmoved even by archaeologists. Hear your guides talk about the rituals and ceremonies, bloodletting offerings, food offerings and human offerings, including the 15 human remains uncovered by archaeologists. To access the last chamber, you will climb up a ladder to see a full skeletal remains before exiting the cave in the same way you came in. You will hike back to the parking lot before replenishing yourself with lunch and returning to San Ignacio.

From San Ignacio: Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos

2. From San Ignacio: Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos

Start your tour with hotel pickup from San Ignacio, then take a 15-minute drive to Xunantunich. First, embark on a 2-hour guided tour of the Xunantunich archaeological site, which was a unique Mayan ceremonial center. Discover the 6 major plazas surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces with time to climb the different structures. Admire the large El Castillo Pyramid which is well known for the frieze or band of stucco decoration which at one time extended around the entire temple. El Castillo rises 130 feet above the main plaza and offers an impressive panoramic view over the Mopan River valley.  After this, combine your visit with a range of optional activities to choose from. Cave Tubing:  Start your adventure at No'och Che'en National Park with a hike through the subtropical forest. As you sit and enjoy the tubing downstream, the journey will take you through a series of remarkable limestone caves, each filled with fascinating discoveries of the Mayan underworld. You can also jump into refreshing crystal-clear blue waters formed in-between the cave entrances. Float through some rapids, view sparkling cave formations, and learn about cave geology and Mayan History. River Tubing:  This adventure takes place along the Mopan River - a very important water source for the ancient city of Xunantunich. Start by clipping on your helmet and putting on your floating device. Then, jump into your tube and begin floating downstream on the easy flowing water. Just as you get comfortable, feel the adrenaline as you reach some class I rapids. After floating past the village, continue into a jungle area and admire the incredible native flora and fauna that Belize has to offer. Horseback Riding:  Alternatively, begin your experience on the outskirts of Succotz village. Ride a friendly horse along an ancient Mayan trail as you dodge low-hanging tree branches. If you are lucky, try to spot adorable Howler Monkeys jumping between the trees.

San Ignacio: Caracol Maya Ruins & Waterfall Tour with Lunch

3. San Ignacio: Caracol Maya Ruins & Waterfall Tour with Lunch

Start with pickup at 7:30 AM from San Ignacio and travel 1.5 hours to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Upon arrival walk for 10 minutes until you reach the Rio Frio Cave. After exploring this small cave, drive to the Chiquibul Forest Reserve located nearby.  Explore the ruins of Caracol, which was the largest metropolis in the Maya lowlands located deep within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. While travelling to this location, enjoy a stunning scenery of the flora and fauna. Walk along the trails and paths that were once traversed by nobles and citizens of the Mayan empire.  Explore the largest Mayan archaeological site in Belize on a 3-hour guided tour. Learn about the size of the former city, as well as the various religious rituals performed in the temples. Climb some of the structures and learn about the important archaeological discoveries of the site. Enjoy a local lunch followed by a visit to the Rio on Pools or Big Rock Waterfalls. Swim in the refreshing waters to cool off after a day of exploring, and be returned to San Ignacio at approximately 5:00 PM.

San Ignacio: Cave Tubing with Lunch & Optional Zipline

4. San Ignacio: Cave Tubing with Lunch & Optional Zipline

Depart from San Ignacio, Belize and arrive at the park after driving for an hour. Hike through the jungle, along the river bank and carry your tube up to the starting point. Choose to tube through 1 cave or 2 caves, depending on how far you want to walk. Enjoy the full experience by walking for 45 minutes, to reach the top of the river. Walk for 30 minutes to reach the other starting point, which will only take you through one of the caves.  Float down the river and relax in the first cave, as your expert guide tells you about Mayan culture and their beliefs. Get ready for a thrill in the second cave, accessed by both starting points, where light rapids will add some excitement and speed to your tubing experience. Upgrade your tour by speeding things up with a memorable zipline ride. Before heading into the Mayan underworld, fly and scream in the air as you zip line across the Belize jungles and river from tree to tree. After the Adrenalin rush through the air, cool off in the water of a picturesque natural pool.

From San Ignacio: Tikal Maya Site Day-Trip with Local Lunch

5. From San Ignacio: Tikal Maya Site Day-Trip with Local Lunch

Start with pickup from San Ignacio at 7:00 AM, and take a 15-minute drive to Guatemalan border. Be assisted at the border by your guide, and continue on the 2-hour long journey to Tikal. Discover the ancient Mayan site of Tikal which is considered to be one of the most spiritual locations on earth. Once at the national park, see the abundance of wildlife surrounding the temples. Discover how the Mayan civilization built inspiring temples and cities that formed a vast complex of religious, social and political power.  Enjoy a guided tour of the main sights of the complex, which is estimated to have over 3,000 structures including palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, ball courts, terraces, plazas, causeways, and reservoirs. See several of the main temples including the tallest structure which measures 212 feet.  After visiting the main parts of Tikal, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then, drive back to San Ignacio you can stop at the local gift shops, with arrival back in San Ignacio at approximately 4:30 PM.

San Ignacio: Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure

6. San Ignacio: Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure

Depart in the afternoon from San Ignacio Town and drive through a small, traditional Mennonite community called Barton Creek. Continue on until arriving at the remnants of an ancient Mayan civilization, waiting to be explored in the cool, watery underground caverns. Soak up the mediative energy as you paddle on a canoe through an underground cave system. Relax as the sound of paddle on the peaceful waters harmonizes with your heartbeat. Float along the ancient Maya waterway inside the mountain while your local guide sheds light on the significance of the cave to the Mayas. Learn about the different rituals and ceremonies which were conducted inside of the cave, among them human sacrifices, bloodletting rituals, agricultural rituals, and possible fertility rites. Hear also about the geology of the cave. Conclude the tour with a one-hour drive back to San Ignacio.

San Ignacio: Crystal Cave & Blue Hole National Park + Lunch

7. San Ignacio: Crystal Cave & Blue Hole National Park + Lunch

Get an early start and depart from San Ignacio at 7:30 AM. Drive out to St Herman's Blue Hole National Park, known for its lush rainforest and intricate system of interconnected caves and azure freshwater pools. Begin your adventure through the park with a rainforest hike that will end at the entrance to the Crystal Cave system. Embark on a spelunking expedition through the series of limestone caverns that the Mayans treated as a natural pantheon. Admire the beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, flow stones, rock columns, crystalline formations, and Mayan artifacts adorning the interior of the caves. Let your guide show you the evidence of ritual ceremonies that took place thousands of years ago, including pottery, fire pits, charcoal ash, and human remains. Step into Wonderland, an aptly-named chamber deep in the earth with walls covered in shimmering crystals. Spend anywhere from 3–5 hours exploring the cave depending on your energy. Let your guide know if you want to eat the packed lunch and get some rum punch inside the cave or back at the parking lot and fill up after a long day's trek. Finish off with a refreshing dip in the Blue Hole pool the park is named for. Arrive back in San Ignacio around 5:30 PM.

From Belize: One-Way Shared Shuttle to San Ignacio

8. From Belize: One-Way Shared Shuttle to San Ignacio

Enjoy a hassle-free shared shuttle from Belize city to your accommodation in San Ignacio. Experience a stress-free journey in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver.  Let your driver navigate you through the traffic smoothly. Travel conveniently without having to worry about last-minute searching.

Belize: San Ignacio to/from Placencia or Hopkins Shuttle

9. Belize: San Ignacio to/from Placencia or Hopkins Shuttle

Enjoy a safe, comfortable, and convenient shared transfer between your accommodation in San Ignacio and your accommodation in Placencia or Hopkins. Choose the option that best suits your needs. Book your shared transfer in advance and arrive safely at your destination without the inconvenience of the public transport network or the expense of a last-minute taxi ride. Relax in the safety and comfort of a licensed, air-conditioned vehicle driven by a professional driver. The service operates daily and while on board, you can take advantage of free Wi-Fi, water, and air conditioning.

Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer

10. Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer

Enjoy a safe, comfortable, and convenient shared or private transfer between your accommodation in San Ignacio, Belize City Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport (TZA), Belize City Water Taxi Terminal, or from hotels in Belize City. Choose between a one-way or return transfer between each destination. Book your shared or private transfer in advance and arrive safely at your chosen destination without the inconvenience of the public transport network or the expense of a last-minute taxi ride. Relax in the safety and comfort of a licensed, air-conditioned vehicle driven by a professional driver. This service operates daily and you will benefit from free WiFi, water, air conditioning, and a professional driver.

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What people are saying about San Ignacio, Belize

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 116 reviews

Getting the right guide is sooo important to an experience. Having just experienced a really bad one on a different package, I highly highly recommend you get our guide on this package - Bryton. He was so awesome. He was funny, informative, and made us feel really comfortable. By the time we left Xunantunich and the Cave, we felt like we knew every little thing there was to know about those places. Also, maybe it was because it was just me and my wife on the tour group, Bryton took us off the water tubes to explore the caves on foot and do some tunnel dives and rock diving, AMAZING experience. Something that we did not see any other guide do for their groups around us. 10/10

Best thing I did in Belize. No one should leave without doing this tour. It’s adventurous, fascinating, and just an all around unique experience. I don’t think there’s another tour like it in the world. Be prepared to get wet, have fun, see some cool shit and eat some amazing Belizean food at the end.

We had Xunantunich and cave tubing tour with Leo. We particularly love the cave tubing, which is much more fun than expected. Leo made the trip memorable. He is very knowledgeable, layback, and thoughtful. The company also provides home made warm lunch for the whole day tours, and it is delicious.

Our guide Cisco was not only very knowledgeable about the Mayan culture and the Xunantunich site, but he was also a skillful cave tubing guide. We always felt safe and well guided.

It was an awesome time and the guides were amazing and very knowledgeable