SanIgnacio Belize Hotels

San Ignacio is 72 miles west of Belize City and 22 miles from Belmopan on the Western Highway.  With 20,000 residents, this town in the Cayo District is the second largest in Belize. San Ignacio and her once-separate sister city St. Elena on the opposite side of the Macal River are now considered one community. San Ignacio is just 9 miles from the border with Guatemala.

 

The San Ignacio community, like most of Belize, consists of people from a variety of cultures. While the largest portion of the population are of Mestizo (Spanish/Maya) and Mopan (Indigenous Maya) decent, you’ll meet Chinese, Lebanese as well as North American and UK expats. On the streets of San Ignacio you’ll hear Kriol, a blend of English and local dialects, and the German dialect spoken by the Mennonite farmers in the area.

 

In an area literally surrounded by archeological sites as well as recent oil and gold finds, San Ignacio is a place where you might meet archeology doctorates and field engineers. From the Hawksworth Bridge, a colonial era ,one-lane suspension bridge, to the Mennonite wagons bringing produce from their old world style farms, in San Ignacio you can experience of convergence of centuries and cultures.  Small wooden building and colonial era structures line the river and friendly people make san Ignacio a unique and intriguing place to visit.

 

Transportation

Visitors entering Belize usually arrive through the Phillip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville just outside Belize City. From there, visitors have several options. Cars can be rented at the airport for the 72 mile drive along the Western Highway.  If you choose to drive your own vehicle or a rental, keep an eye on your gas gauge. Gas stations are not as readily available as you may be accustomed to and may be closed evenings, Sundays and holidays. If you plan to take your rental vehicle through the rough terrain including portions of the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, make careful note of every pre-existing dent and scratch before paying the hefty damage deposit.

Numerous transport companies specialize in taking tourists from one city to another. If you have booked a hotel in San Ignacio, check with them to see if they offer any deals on transport.

Bus service from Belize City and Belmopan to San Ignacio is available.  If coming from Belize City, ask for an express bus or you are in for a very long ride as the regular bus stops at every little village along the way. Taxis and van transports are available in San Ignacio, but the city is easily explored on foot.

Hotels

San Ignacio Belize Hotels area range from quaint little bed and breakfasts to 4-star, full service resorts. If you have been roughing it for a few days, this is a great place to relax pool side while enjoying a view of the jungle.

       

Attractions

 

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

East of San Ignacio along the Western Highway and south along the Hummingbird Highway, you will find the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave. The name translates to Cave of the Stone Sepulcher. The cave is in the Tapir Mountain Reserve near Roaring River. The cave can only be explored via a guided tour.  The Belize Tourism Board issues permits to tour guides as a means of protecting this important archeological location.

The cave is one of three in the valley and the only one available for tours. The cave entrance can’t be accessed by vehicle. Following a 3 mile hike (approximately 45 minutes); you’ll enter the cave through the hour glass shaped opening.  The cave was rediscovered in 1989 and opened to the public in 1998.

Visitors will take a short swim at the entrance to the cave. After that, water levels vary according to the season, but can usually be walked through.  During the wet season, the cave may be closed due to water levels.  As you tour the cave, you’ll see the 1400 artifacts dating from 1-1000 AD, including 14 human remains. The skeleton of a teenage girl nicknamed the crystal maiden is the most famous.   

You’ll make your way through a series of chambers ending the “cathedral”.  Sandals are not allowed inside the cathedral and guests are asked to wear socks to protect the cave floor from skin oil.  Here you’ll see evidence of sacrifices to the Maya rain god known as Chac. Plan to take 4-6 hours visiting the cave. Food and beverage is not available on site, but is usually provided by tour guides. You will be wet most of your time in the cave. Guides usually provide lights and bags to help keep belongings dry.

Cahal Pech

The ruins of Cahal Pech on the southern outskirts of San Ignacio are an active archeological site.  The name Cahal Pech translates to “place of the ticks”. The relatively small 2 acre site includes 7 courtyards, several temples and several stelae. 

 

Stelae are stone and wooden markers used in the ancient world to commemorate leaders and battles. Stelae are found in ancient communities including the British Isles, China, Greece, Egypt and the Americas. Famous stelae include the Rosetta stone and the totem poles of North America.

 

The tallest structure on the site is a 77 foot high temple. Cahal Pech appears to have been settled around 1000 BC and abandoned around 800 AD. It appears buildings appear to be layered with those of the Middle Classic Period (500-700 AD) sitting atop the remains of those from the Late Classic (300-250 AD).  The site has been heavily looted since being rediscovered in the 1950s. In the 1960s, some artifacts were removed for protection. They are now in the national archives in Belmopan.

 

 

Xunantunich

Southeast of San Ignacio and across the river via a hand cranked ferry you find the ruins of Xunantunich (shun-antu-nich). From the the tallest pyramid known as El Castillo, you can see into Guatemala. The site dates back to the Classic period and was in use until the 10^th century.  For full  information on Xunantunich please see our entire section.

 

El Pilar

Just west of San Ignacio, the ruins of El Pilar straddle the border between Belize and Guatemala. Two local streams in the area may be the basis of the name El Pilar, which is similar to an old Spanish word for water basin. Mapping of the ruins began in earnest in the 1980s with full scale excavation beginning in 1993.

 

The 100 acre site includes 25 plazas and is three times the size of nearby Xunatunich. Habitation and construction of El Pilar appears to have begun in the Middle Preclassic Period, with habitation extending into the Postclassic Period (AD 1000- 1521) – a period covering 15 centuries.

 

The research at El Pilar is unique because of its focus on Forrest Gardening. Archeologists have long noted the higher percentage of “useful” plants and trees growing in the areas surrounding Maya ruins. Site Director Dr. Anabel Ford and her fellow researchers are seeking to identify these plants and learn how the Maya used them for food and medicine.

 

Mountain Pine Ridge Forrest Reserve

The largest protected area in Belize is the Mountain Pine Ridge Forrest Reserve. The reserve was established in 1944 to protect the pine forest from loggers and implement fire control measure. Despite these efforts, much of the forest burned in 1949. Portions of the reserve have been leased to private interests and there are a few very small communities inside the reserve.  A visit to the reserve from San Ignacio is at least a full day trip. The Maya ruins at Carocal are at the south end of the reserve making it one of the more difficult ruins to reach.

 

The reserve is unique in its geological makeup and vegetation. A central granite massif ranges in elevation from 1312 to 2296 feet.  Adjacent limestone areas are dotted with sink holes and cave systems. The Macal River is the main river in the area, but there are many smaller rivers in the reserve. The reserve ranges in elevation from 3336 feet at Baldy Beacon to 394 feet on the banks of the Macal River at Black Rock.  Unlike much of the surrounding jungle areas, trees in the reserve are 80% pine and 20% broadleaf.

 

The reserve is accessed by two roads off the Western Highway.  The more improved of the two is Chiqibul Road near Georgeville 6 miles east of San Ignacio.  The Christo Rey road, which branches off the Western Highway in St Elena, is a much rougher road. Both roads can become impassible during the rainy season.

 

Just inside the preserve is a gate house where visitors are asked to sign in. Lodges inside the reserve give visitors an opportunity to extend their stay, while tour companies offer kayaking and horseback riding.

 

1000 Foot Falls, also known as the Hidden Valley Falls are reached by the Baldy Beacon trail which branches off to the east from the entrance road. The falls are approximately four miles to east along the trail. At the falls, which are actually 1600 feet high, you’ll find a picnic area and small souvenir shop.

 

Five Sisters Falls gets its name for the five side-by-side waterfalls cascading into the Privassion River. The water collects in crystal clear pools, offering a cool and delightful place to swim. The Five Sisters Lodge leases 10 acres of property surrounding the falls from the government. Accommodations include luxury and standard cabanas, restaurant, bar and gift shop.

 

Pine Ridge Lodge is five miles inside the reserve and includes 6 cottages adjacent to the Little Vaqueros Creek. The lodge caters to independent travelers. Meals are available at the lodge. The family style dining area serves fruits and vegetables grown in their on-site organic garden.

Rio on Pools features smooth granite rocks creating natural water slides into a series of connected pools.

 

Rio Frio Cave has a 65-foot entryway into the cathedral size chamber. The dome inside the limestone cave is the highest in Belize – a grand statement given Belize has perhaps the largest cave system in Central America. The cave is in Augustine, 5 miles past the Douglas de Silva Forest Station. Openings at either end of the cave mean flashlight aren’t needed during daylight visits. Stalactites hang from the ceiling and sandy beach offers a great place to rest.  Trails lead from the Rio Frio cave to the Cuevas Gemelas and Laughing Jaw caves.

 

Zip-lining

In the forests to the east of San Ignacio, adventuresome visitors can don body harnesses, helmets and gloves to zip through the trees 80 feet above the jungle floor.  The zip lines connect 8 tree top platforms. The zip-lining takes approximately 60-90 minutes and ends with repealing down from the final platform.

 

Cave Tubing & Canoeing

In the Cave Branch Reserve, Barton Creek, and the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve visitors can go on hiking/tubing excursions. In some of the caves, visitors can simply float along admiring the stalactites and stalagmites.

The Mennonite community of Barton Creek is south of San Ignacio on the Chiquibul Road. From there, visitors can canoe or tube into the Barton Creek Cave. The large cave is great for families with young children and anyone seeking a less strenuous cave tour. Water levels inside the cave vary by season. In the wet season visitors may only be able to travel 1 mile inside the cave, while in the dry season they may be able to go as far as 4.5 miles. Visits to other caves require longer hikes and climbing through portions of the caves. 

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is also available in the area.  Horseback is a peaceful way to experience the rivers, flora and fauna of these beautiful foothills.

 

 

Dining and Nightlife

There are several resort lodges in the area with their own restaurants and bars. As you pass along the streets of San Ignacio you will see a variety of dining opportunities. Vendors sell grilled chicken on the street. Local restaurants serve Chinese, Lebanese and Belizean foods. Fresh oranges from the nearby groves are delicious.

Shopping

You won’t find any chain stores in San Ignacio, but you will see plenty of roadside stands with food and souvenir items. Enjoy the experience and don’t be afraid to barter with roadside venders.