A quite holiday in San Ignacio

San Ignacio is a small town in western Belize. The town is the capital of the country’s Cayo District. Located on the banks of the Mopan and Macal Rivers, the town is around 72 miles west of the capital Belize City. The population of the town is around 16,400 people.

Over the years, this town has absorbed the Santa Elena village. San Ignacio along with Santa Elena forms the country’s second largest urban area. These two towns are separated by the popular Macal River and a piece of history, the country’s only suspension bridge dating back to 1949, better known as the Hawksworth Bridge. Santa Elena and San Ignacio are collectively referred to as “Twin Towns” even though San Ignacio has a much larger population as compared to its sister city.

Like other places in Belize, the life line of this town also lies with the tourism industry. San Ignacio has many attractions on offer and the popular ones are listed in brief below.

The site of Cahal Pech takes us back to the Mayan civilization. The place has ancient ball courts along with numerous temples and plazas. This place is also home to the town’s latest attraction, the luxurious Cahal Pech Resort.

A bus journey of around 5 miles will take you to another historical wonder, the Xunantunich, which is a Mayan ceremonial site.

Three miles northwest of the town is another piece of history, El Pilar, which is one of Belize’s largest archeological sites.

The Macal River, besides housing the historic Hawksworth Bridge also offers spectacular Canoeing options.

One of the most famous and best eateries in town is Eva’s Restaurant, more popularly known as “Archaeologist Centre of the Universe” to the Archaeologists and students working in the area. A must-try here is the chili.

Some of the popular tourist activities in the town are Canoeing, Kayaking, bird watching, and horseback riding.

Other places of interest are Caracol and the Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in close vicinity.

Listed below are some of the questions which may be on your mind.

Who do I reach San Ignacio?

The Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City operates daily flights to the US and other countries.  San Ignacio is a one and a half hours drive from Belize City via the Western Highway.

Where do I stay during my San Ignacio trip?

Besides the luxurious Cahal Pech Resort, there are accommodation facilities available aplenty. The popular ones include Blancaneaux Lodge, San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Windy Hill Resort, The Lodge Chaa Creek, The Five Sister’s Lodge, Crystal Paradise, duPlooy’s Jungle Lodge and Maya Mountain Lodge.

Which is the best time to visit San Ignacio?

The best time to visit San Ignacio is during the dry season. The months from December to April are ideal as the temperatures are perfect for a visit, even though rainfall cannot entirely be ruled out. The temperatures steadily rise over the months and the June to early December period sees unbearable humid temperatures. Hence, the mid-December-May period is ideal for a visit.

In conclusion, San Ignacio is an isolated town with many thrilling adventures. One can go aerial trekking and cave tubing at Jungle Paw, you can also visit the Mayan ruins and jungles besides the wonderful Belizean cuisine. So, without wasting any further time, go ahead and start planning your trip to San Ignacio.