THINGS TO DO IN SAN IGNACIO

Belize
San Ignacio Itinerary Practical travel tips

Wild rivers, Maya ruins &latino vibes

Duration: at least 3 days

Budget: $ 80 per day

Stay at: Maya Mountain Lodge or Pine Ridge Lodge

San Ignacio and its twin town Santa Elena, form the heart of the “Cayo” district. It’s the first stop for many travelers coming from Guatemala. While there is a comfortable touristic infrastructure,  San Ignacio maintains an authentic and vibrating charm. Contrary to the coastal part of Belize, Spanish is the most widely spoken. San Ignacio is surrounded by lush vegetation, fast-flowing rivers, Maya ruins, and caves. There are lots to do in this lively little town!

  • Sight Seeing 85% 85%
  • Food 75% 75%
  • Culture 80% 80%
  • Activities 95% 95%

After some great weeks on Belize’s Cayes, we decided it was time for us to continue our journey. So, with our newfound friend Zoe, an American ex-pat whom we met on Tobacco Caye, we were off to discover Belize’s western part. As soon as we hopped off the bus, we felt an entirely different vibe from the coastal area.

 

Tour the mysterious ATM cave

We saw fantastic pictures of the famous ATM cave and were eager to visit. That was until we checked our budget and the prices for the tour. Unfortunately, our extended stay on the Cayes has ripped quite a hole into our budget, so we decided against visiting Belize’s ATM cave. However, we have heard from other travelers that it is an awe-inspiring experience. 

Granada, Nicaragua: view of Calle Calzada
Granada, Nicaragua: market

Stroll around the colorful market

As in many Central American towns, visiting the local market is always a good idea. It was in San Ignacio when we first tried Soursop juice. The white juice gained from the exotic fruit has become one of our all-time favorites!

Cool down at the Rion pools at Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve

After some pretty lazy weeks by the beach, we felt a bit itchy. Eager to head out, Lorena and I decided to go on a hike through Mountain Pine Reserve. Together with two younger guides, we ventured out to challenge our muscles at least a bit. The walks were pretty easy, and we enjoyed being surrounded by green. A tour to Mountain Pine Reserve can be combined with the Big Rock Falls and Rio Frio Cave, ending in Caracol. However, as mentioned above, the prices for tours are steep, so we decided to enjoy a full day at the Rion Pools and its surrounding caves.

San-Ignacio-Belize
Granada, Nicaragua: dani in front of church

Xunantunich Ruins - Belize's Maya ruins

You can find ancient Mayan ruins all across Central America. Compared to its neighbors in Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras, the ruins of Xunantunich are a lot smaller and less visited. As with many Maya ruins, it’s advisable to take a guide to get a complete understanding. However, if you are also short on cash, you can quickly discover the ruins of Xunantunich by yourself. The ruins are located on the other side of the river in the village of San Jose Succotz, easily accessible by bus and ferry (it’s free). The ruins cost 10 $BZ to enter and make up for a great half-day trip. We followed the recommendations of our hostel and took our swimsuits with us. After visiting the ruins, we dipped into the river for refreshment. We got off at the gas station and accidentally wandered towards Cahal Pech Resort Hotel on our way back. While it was the wrong direction to our hostel, we saw a fantastic sunset from there!

Float along the River

San Ignacio and its twin town Santa Elena offer plenty of opportunities to float along the river. Our friend Zoe wanted to visit a friend of hers, the owner of Rawspa Resort, so we decided to come along. Located within lush vegetation, we enjoyed the day by the Mopan River. After so much time by the sea, it almost felt weird to swim in the sweet water again. We spent our day listening to birds, jumping off the pier, and floating along the river in a tube. To our surprise, Misael and Michael invited us to a wine tasting. Contrary to “traditional” wine, Michael produces wines from exotic fruits. Sipping wine, we let the time pass until it was time for us to head back to our hostel. After so much time by the beach, our “jungle day” at Rawspa made up for the perfect change!

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Practical travel tips for San Ignacio & Belize

How can I cross the border to Guatemala?

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The twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena are popular stops for travelers from Guatemala. Once you have crossed the border, San Ignacio is a ride of about 45 mins. However, if you continue your journey by bus, keep in mind that there is no "fixed schedule." Therefore, we recommend you show up in the morning to get an early bus.

What is the best time to visit San Ignacio?

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San Ignacio experiences quite heavy rainfall and high temperatures during the summer months. But, other than that, it's a year-round destination.

Is San Ignacio safe for travelers?

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As anywhere, exercise extra caution at night. Other than that, it feels safe.

How to get to San Ignacio?

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Depending on where you are coming from, the bus may stop directly in the center of Hopkins or at "Junction," about 5 km outside. Don't be shy. Locals passing by will surely give you a ride.

Can I drink tap water in Belize?

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In the towns, the water is supposedly drinkable. But as you will spend a lot of time on the water and Cayes in Belize, bring a water filter or a self-cleaning bottle to be safe and avoid causing plastic pollution. The bottles will keep your water fresh and cool, too!

What's the biggest challenge for the conscious traveler?

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Eating fish: To protect marine life in Belize, fishing is regulated by seasons to guarantee the species' time to recover. Therefore, make a point of not eating lobster or conch when not in season! Conch season runs from October to June. Lobster season is from July to February.

Sunscreen: Protect the unique marine life in Belize, and always wear reef-friendly sunscreen. Check out our guide to coral-safe sunscreens here.

Plastic: Bring your self-cleaning bottle to avoid causing trash by consuming bottled water.

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Places to visit in Belize

A small Country with a big personality!