10 fun and adventurous things to do in San Ignacio, Belize!

Last updated on June 10th, 2026 at 02:28 pm

Over in western Belize, near the Guatemalan border, and far from the famous beaches and Cayes of Belize is the frontier town of San Ignacio!

San Ignacio is one of the country’s coolest destinations – it has adventure, nature, and plenty of Maya history at its doorstep. While many travelers pass through on their way to Tikal or other famous attractions, San Ignacio is well worth a few days of your time.

You can explore ancient Maya ruins, swim under waterfalls, go caving and tubing, and canoe along jungle rivers looking for wildlife – there’s plenty to do. The town itself has a laid-back vibe, with just enough buzz to make it a fun base for exploring the Cayo District.

Whether you’re planning a quick stop or a longer stay, these are the best things to do in San Ignacio, Belize.

Here goes……

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Plan for your trip

Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!

Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!

Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.

Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.

Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains

Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site

Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!

Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith. These are some highly recommended options in and around San Ignacio:

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1. Visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project

Right in town this is a real unexpected delight. The project is housed within the San Ignacio Resort Hotel and is definitely one of the best things to do in San Ignacio – especially if you are a wildlife lover! Ok the iguanas are not in the wild but the babies that are reared here get released in the wild when they are big enough (about 2 years old) to protect themselves. As for the adults still in the reserve – they are injured souls and given a good home. And of course they enable the breeding to take place!

You can tour the conservation project whether you are staying at the hotel or not. Your guide will teach you a lot about the green iguanas and you learn about the incubation, hatching, rearing, and releasing processes at the center.

The Green Iguana Conservation Project also has an interesting Adopt an Iguana Program which helps to raise funds for the Project, and, they provide scholarships for local children. The tours go every hour on the hour from 8am to 4pm and last about an hour (costing about $11-12).

At-the-Green-Iguana-Conservation-Project-in-San-Ignacio-Belize — At the Green Iguana Conservation Project in San Ignacio, Belize

2. Wander in the Cahal Peche Archeological Reserve

The Cahal Peche Archeological Reserve is just above the town – on a hill. Its easy to walk to and I recommend you go early in the morning for opening. Its open from 6am – 6pm from April to October and ·6.30am to 5pm from October to April.

At the ruins there is a good little information center / museum explaining the ruins and what went on. The ruins themselves are a very peaceful place to walk around with hardly anyone there, and although nothing like Tikal (see no 10), it was really worth seeing a smaller Mayan site and being to walk where you like and climb the temples. (We also liked the agoutis and snakes we saw!)

You can visit as an optional add on in this Best of San Ignacio Day Tour: Culture & Wildlife which is a great way of seeing things if you are short of time.

2. Wander in the Cahal Peche Archeological Reserve — At the Cahal Peche Archeological Reserve and Museum in San Ignacio

3. Swim, wade, and slither at the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

You can only visit the ATM cave with an accredited guide and San Ignacio is the best place to do this from.

This tour is not one for you if you are claustrophobic or don’t like getting down and dirty! To get to the caves you will walk a couple of km through the forest – crossing three rivers. You will get wet! Then you swim across to the cave itself. In the cave, you will be rock climbing, squeezing yourself through gaps, and swimming again at times! You will find out about the rituals the cave was used for on the tour, and end the ‘walk’ into the cave at the skeletal remains of the “Crystal Maiden.” These are great tour options for the ACT cave:

A quieter alternative option to the ATM Cave is the Barton Creek Cave, which generally involves canoeing. Take a look at these tours if that sounds appealing – either way you are going to have so much fun! Barton Creek also has some good combo options – check these tours out and choose what suits you best:

Barton Creek Tour

Or try these alternative great cave and tubing options in the Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve:

Getting-wet-in-the-Actun-Tunichil-Muknal-ATM-Cave-near-San-Ignacio-Belize — Getting wet in the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave near San Ignacio – credit to Maya Walk tours

4. Visit the Xunantunich Maya Ruins

Another Maya ruin very close to San Ignacio is the 300 – 900AD ceremonial center close to San Ignacio – Xunantunich. They are fun to get to!! You cross the Mopan River on a traditional hand-cranked ferry, then climb up to the ruins on top of a hill. Here you get great views of the Maya Mountains and into Guatemala! Xunantunich also has Belize’s second largest Maya structure- El Castillo (The Castle).

Xunantunich is about 11km and half an hour drive from San Ignacio – almost on the border with Guatemala. You can make your own way there by bus or taxi. For the bus, take any local public “chicken bus” or shuttle heading west toward Benque Viejo del Carmen from the main terminal in San Ignacio, Belize. Tell the driver you are going to Xunantunich (or San Jose Succotz), and they will drop you off right at the ferry crossing.

If you want a guide with plenty of information and transport to and from Xunantunich, or you want to explore the ruins and take in some water adventures, then these tours from San Ignacio are perfect for your visit:

5. Take an evening swim in the Macal River and chat to the locals

My niece and I decided we needed to swim. We walked from our hostel – the Old House Hostel – to the river over the Hawkesworth Bridge, then alongside the river, and looped back over the Low Lying Wooden Bridge!

Its a nice walk and we found a couple of good swimming spots as you can see in this pic. The water was clear and refreshing too.

Chatting to locals along the river was fun – one man was fishing and showed us his catch. On the way back you come past the colorful San Ignacio sign and the market.

Note: Freshwater crocodiles do live here but usually avoid people during the day, but don’t swim at night. Also take care if there has been rain for debris and currents.

Swimming-in-the-Macal-River-in-San-Ignacio-Belize — Swimming in the Macal River in San Ignacio Belize

6. Day trip exploring the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and its big 3 – the Rio Frio Cave, Rio On Pools, and the Big Rock Falls

Honestly, this was an amazingly fun day. The road itself is very scenic and great to see a mix of countryside and towns on the way to the reserve. It was great to start the furthest away at the Rio Frio Cave. We spent ages here at the cave, by the river and walking the last part of the road into the cave! It was too muddy to drive any further than we did, but the 1 km walk was great as there were woodpeckers around!

We then headed back to Rio on Pools which has a perfect picnic area with great views over the forest and the pools and river. Swimming here was perfect – moving through the different pools and keeping cool in the wonderful river water.

Finally, we got to the Big Rock Falls / 1000 foot falls. Oh wow – we loved it and the swimming was great. (Its a steep downhill path to the falls and river so be aware if you are not very mobile.) It was a long long day – because we like to swim and don’t like to rush, but oh so worth it!

You can go on these great day tours to explore Mountain Pine Ridge and get to the cave, pools and waterfalls:

Or you can combine some of this fun time with a trip to Caracol!

An alternative watery adventure is this Private Jungle Pontoon Waterfall Tour which also looks a lot of fun!

rio-frio-cave-best-things-to-do-in-san-ignacio-belize — Inside the Rio Frio Cave

rio-on-pools-near-san-ignacio-belize — Inside the Rio Frio Cave

7. Stand above the world at the Caracol Natural Monument Reserve

Caracol is the largest Mayan site of Belize and it probably should get a lot more visitors than it does. In its day, the size and power of Caracol (120,000 people) was probably equal to Tikal, who they were often at war with.

On the way to Caracol you go through some excellent jungle with plenty of wildlife – birds, coatis and howler monkeys. Jaguars also live here and the staff at Caracol said they often see them at dusk or dawn!

Caracol is famous for its Sky Palace’ which is the tallest man made structure in Belize still – 42 meters high. It has stunning views over the surrounding forest and hills from the top.

Its a tough road trip – about 2 hours from San Ignacio – but worth it! These are some great tour options:

And if you want to combine the trip with some water and swimming I highly recommend one of these tours!

Caracol-Mayan-ruins-and-Rio-On-Pools-near-San-Ignacio-Belize — Caracol Mayan ruins and Rio On Pools near San Ignacio, Belize

8. Visit the Chaa Creek Natural History Museum and Butterfly House

The Chaa Creek Natural History Museum is a little private museum with information about local species along with some Mayan history. It also has a butterfly house where you can learn the stages of the butterfly lifecycle and walk amongst these beautiful animals! Gorgeous!

You can visit Chaa Creek on a great combo tour with Barton creek on one of these tours:

9. Canoe the Mopan, Macal or Belize Rivers and spot wildlife

This is an under-rated thing to do in San Ignacio. And its so relaxing, plus you can spot for wildlife – like this toucan we saw as well as monkeys and parrots!

The Mopan and Macal Rivers meet to form the Belize river, all around San Ignacio – and any of them are going to be good. Some hotels and lodges have canoes or kayaks you can use, for example, The Lodge at ChaaCreek where you can paddle upstream and drift back or paddle downstream toward San Ignacio. If you are experienced you can also hire a canoe from

But there are also organised trips for anyone, which I really recommend! Choose one of these:

And if you want it a bit wilder then check out this River Kayaking From San Ignacio

A-toucan-alongside-the-Belize-River-near-San-Ignacio-Belize — A toucan alongside the Belize River near San Ignacio, Belize

10. Visit Tikal in Guatemala

If you are not traveling on to Guatemala, but want to see the Mayan ruins at Tikal then San Ignacio is your place!

Temple-V-on-a-misty-morning-in-Tikal-Park-in-Guatemala — Temple V on a misty morning in Tikal Park in Guatemala

Tikal is found right in the heart of the jungle, and is one of the major sites of Mayan civilization. It was inhabited from the 6th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D. and the buildings / structures you see are incredible. (Imagine walking up those steep scary stairs probably to be sacrificed or something equally horrible!) The ceremonial centre has superb temples and palaces, and public squares. Ruins of other dwellings are scattered throughout the rest of the jungle and also in the surrounding countryside.

Trust me – even a plebian like me was in awe of Tikal! Although, to be fair, I was hugely helped by the myriad of animals in the area – agoutis, toucans, howler monkeys, spider monkeys wtc – but it truly is an incredible place!

Well, anyway, its really is a must-do of a place! You can go on a day trip from San Ignacio. Its a long day but you get to see something pretty amazing. These are great tour options:

Alternatively head over to Guatemala for a few days and take your time. (Read my Complete Guide to visiting Tikal – especially if you’re a wildlife, archaeology or history lover.)
You can take a shuttle to Flores with this From San Ignacio: Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala

11. A Bonus – Eat from the street and visit the local market

There are some good little street food stalls that are way cheaper than any restaurant in town. And the locals will generally chat to you at the stalls as an added bonus. At the same time, the dining scene is a bit of a surprise – with Caribbean, local and international dishes!

The market itself has a great mix of items you might like to buy to take home, as well as very good street food and fruit and vegies. Saturday is the best day! This is another good way to interact with locals – and eat well. The lady below gave me the low-down on all sorts of things, as well as the most delicious food that I kept going back for!

Market-fruit-and-my-favorite-street-food-stall-in-San-Ignacio-Belize — Market fruit and my favorite street food stall in San Ignacio

Mini Itinerary for 3-4 days in San Ignacio

Day 1:
Explore the town, Cahal Peche Archeological Reserve, and the Green Iguana Conservation Project.

Day 2:
Take a day trip to the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Caves), or waterfalls and tubing.

Day 3:
Canoe one of the rivers around San Ignacio, and explore Xunantunich.

Day 4:
Day trip to Tikal or the Caracol Natural Monument Reserve with a waterfall / swimming combo option.
or
carry on to Flores in Guatemala with this shuttle: From San Ignacio: Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala

Frequently asked questions about San ignacio

Q: Is San Ignacio worth visiting?
A: Yes!! I really enjoyed this little town and so did everyone else I talked to. Its a great place to chill out a while as well as see some less touristed Maya ruins, go on cave and water adventures, and see some wildlife.

Q: How many days should I spend in San Ignacio?
A: At least 3 days, and 4-5 to see more or have a more relaxed adventure!

Q: What are the best things to do in San Ignacio?
A: See Mayan ruins – Xunantunich, Caracol, and Cahal Pech. See local wildlife – I saw plenty just walking around – including toucans! Go cave tubing and waterfall swimming.

Q: Is the ATM Cave tour worth it?
A: Yes!! It is one of the best things to do in Belize – it is a mix of hiking, swimming, cave exploration, archaeology, and Maya history.

Q: Is San Ignacio safe for tourists?
A: Generally yes, with normal precautions. But as a female I definitely would not be out alone at night. Also if you are driving out in the country you want to be back in the town by nightfall.

Q: How do I get from Belize City to San Ignacio?
A: I took the public bus, but you can hire a car or take a shuttle.

Q: Do I need a car in San Ignacio?
A: Not really – you can walk everywhere in the town area, and you can take tours to the main sights. The ATM you have to go to on a tour.

Q: What is the best Maya ruin near San Ignacio?
A: That’s debatable. I really enjoyed the local Cahal Peche Archeological Reserve as it was quiet, green and interesting. But many say Xunantunich is best.

Q: When is the best time to visit San Ignacio?
A: The dry season from December to April.

Q: Is San Ignacio better than Ambergris Caye?
A: It depends on you and your tastes – but personally, I would do both if you can!
San Ignacio = jungle, ruins, cave and water adventure.
Ambergris Caye = island atmosphere, beaches, snorkeling and diving.

Q: What wildlife can I see near San Ignacio?
A: Toucans, howler monkeys, parrots, iguanas, coatis, and lots of tropical butterflies!

Q: Should I stay in a jungle lodge or in town?
A: I would split it if you can.
Town = easy to walk to the market, Cahal Peche, iguanas and to restaurants and cafes.
Jungle lodge = more immersive nature experiences, more wildlife, rainforest views and tranquility.

Q: How do I get to Flores in Guatemala?
A: Either on local buses – change at the border, or on a shuttle – From San Ignacio: Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala

Travel Tips for San Ignacio

Book the ATM Cave tour early – it does get booked out. Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave Full-Day Tour
Stay at least 3 nights – there is too much to do to miss out on. Don’t treat San Ignacio as just a stopover.
Split your stay between town and a jungle lodge. Wake up early for wildlife.
Don’t skip Xunantunich and the other Mayan ruins.
Try not to do the ATM Cave and Caracol tours on consecutive days (or any other full day tours) – try and break it up a bit.
Visit the Saturday market – the food is great.
Prepare for heat and humidity.

Where to stay in San Ignacio

There are so many options in San Ignacio that its going to be hard to chose where to stay! For budget-conscious people like me there are a number of hostels. As for mid range to luxury – the choice is even harder. These are all great options depending on your budget!

Luxury – The Lodge at ChaaCreek – beautiful grounds in a reserve on the river just out of town, a butterfly farm, canoeing, verandahs to watch parrots and hummingbirds from. Heavenly!

High End – Vanilla Hills Resort or the San Ignacio Resort Hotel

Mid Range – Yumas Riverfront L o dge or The West House Boutique Hotel or Las Haciendas

Budget – Hilltop Horizon Guesthouse or Pilgrims Para d ise Cabin

Backpacker – Ye llow Belly Backpackers and the Old House Hostel

If you are in San Ignacio, you are close to Guatemala and Tikal:

Visiting Tikal: A complete guide to Guatemala’s ancient Maya city

Flores, Guatemala: What to do, where to stay, and travel tips for your visit

8 Highlights of Guatemala not to miss!

A complete guide to the 10 towns of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala !

And if you are heading to El Salvador as well:

The 7 “unmissable” best things to do in El Salvador

El Salvador: detailed 2, 3 and 4 week itineraries