Belize

Cayo

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport

Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport

Arrive at Belize at the international airport. From here, you could rent a car to drive around in Belize, but it isn't needed. So instead, you can pay for a private transfer or use a taxi from the airport to your hotel.

The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center

Optional: On the drive from the airport is the Belize Zoo. It is filled with animals being nursed to be released back to the wild and re-acquired from poachers. The zoo is really well kept and highly worth your time.

Drift Inn Cayo

Cayo District

San Ignacio

End the day's journey at San Ignacio and take some time to visit the local restaurants and shops.&nbsp;

Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve

Optional: This event can be done anytime during your stay when you have a couple of extra hours. You can visit a Mayan ruin that sits right next to San Ignacio! It only takes a hand full of hours to visit and is worthwhile, especially for culture enthusiasts. I'd recommend hiring a guide if you want to learn the site's history, as there are no placards for self-learning.

The first day is dedicated to getting to San Ignacio as you will fly into Philip Goldson Airport near Belize City. After that, it is about a 2-hour drive to get to Igancio. After the drive, it is worth checking out San Ignacio's culture and surrounding area as it is quite a lovely town.

Fly to Belize, and get to San Ignacio

ATM Cave

ATM cave tour. It must be guided, make sure to book a reservation early as it can be booked out. This is one tour you want to plan your trip around.https://www.mayawalk.com/belize-atm-cave-tour

End the day back at our hub, San Ignacio which is a great spot to grab a nice dinner!

ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) cave is a famous (and rightfully so) spot to visit around San Ignacio and it is the one spot we highly recommend not missing. One note is that ATM can flood due to heavy rain in which all trips will be canceled. We recommend planning to do this at the start of your trip. In the worst case, it can be bumped each day until you can go. The flooding is not a safety risk, the tour is guided exclusively

ATM cave

Crystal Cave

Crystal Cave requires a bit of a hike to get to, and from there, there are several roped traversals to get up and down certain cave sections. They can be dangerous to those uncomfortable, but with an experienced guide, they are perfectly navigable. Navigating the cave requires a lot more strength and endurance than ATM cave, so I'd recommend it for decently athletic ones. Crystal Cave is home to ancient Mayan sacrifices with various pots, skeletons, and stalactite formations.

Optional! This day is optional as it won't be for everyone. Crystal cave is physically demanding and is more dangerous than other places. However, it is a good adventure and worthwhile for those up for it. The tour must be guided as far as we know, and having experienced it, unless you are an expert level caveneer, Crystal Cave is likely somewhere worth doing with someone of experience.

Caracol Maya Ruins

Caracol was one of the most significant Mayan civilizations that became quite dominant in its' time. Several other Mayan tribes eventually overthrew the great cities' leadership in a grand alliance and struggled for power. Today, only a small fraction of the giant city has been excavated. Nevertheless, the city center's palace and living areas are stunning to see and experience.

End the day back at our hub, San Ignacio, a great spot to grab a nice dinner!

We recommend booking a tour of Caracol as this ancient Mayan city contains a lot of history that will be lost without someone with that knowledge. The road to Caracol is quite rough, too, and it is easier to sit back and relax on the bumpy road.

Caracol Maya Ruin

Xunantunich Maya Ruins

Xunantunich is a smaller city ruin relative to Caracol but might feel to be a similar size due to the relative amount of excavations done. Xunantunich was one of the primary conspirators involved with the overthrow of Caracol, and some of the significant artifacts pillaged can be found at Xunantunich today, which is quite remarkable. Unfortunately, the site does not have any self-learning aids. It is primarily dependent on guides to provide knowledge.

Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch

There are various lengths of the tubing available along the same river, but the short version starts at a standard place with some infrastructure setup to rent tubes and water shoes for the venture. You will hike a short way and then relax as you roll down the river. Midway through the tubing during one of the longest cave stretches is a detour where you climb a small waterfall and explore more of the inner depths of the cave. Highly worthwhile!

Last day at San Ignacio, make the memories count!

Prepare for another fun day split with a visit to another large Mayan city of Xunantunich and an incredible cave tubing experience! This day is not required to do guided and can be done on your own. However, the history of Xunantunich and some great information over Belize modern history, Mayan history, and more can be had during the tubing experience.

Xunantunich maya ruins and cave tubing

The last day has arrived! We left this day mostly unplanned but considered using it as a buffer for any of the optional events we recommended that were missed. Also, sometimes with unpredictable weather, leaving a day open to moving things around will be beneficial!

Head home

San Ignacio is the gateway city in Belize to several Mayan city ruins and caves. Staying in or around San Ignacio is a joy as you will experience very friendly and hospitable locals and a thriving and bustling town filled with shops and restaurants. In addition, it provides an excellent hub for many great activities around the area.

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Title:

Owner:

Areas of Travel:

Seasons:

Updated:

Budget Range:

Fly to Belize, and get to San Ignacio

ATM cave

Crystal Cave

Caracol Maya Ruin

Xunantunich maya ruins and cave tubing

Head home

Explore the Mayan ruins at San Ignacio, Belize

6

Title:

Owner:

Areas of Travel:

Seasons:

Updated:

Budget Range:

Fly to Belize, and get to San Ignacio

ATM cave

Crystal Cave

Caracol Maya Ruin

Xunantunich maya ruins and cave tubing

Head home