A small town surrounded with wildlife-rich, verdant outdoors, rivers and Maya history, San Ignacio is the Cayo District’s main hub. Those who stop here for nearby jungle adventures fall in love with the town’s picturesque scenes of bridges over emerald rivers, horses grazing along hilly roads, and markets overflowing with produce. This is after all, the breadbasket of Belize. With a predominantly Latin pulse, days are for exploring the outdoors while nights are for dining at casual or chef-led restaurants, bar hopping on the cobblestoned Burns Avenue, and dancing the night away.  

Time your visit for a Saturday, when locals from around the district gather for Market Day. Indulge in local foods al fresco—fresh tamales made on site, sweets, or cheeses—browse for clothes, and enjoy the sight of families cooling off by the Macal River.  

Archeology fans will delight in easily accessed Maya sites in town and around, from Cahal Pech to Xunantunich, with informative museums and intriguing myths. San Ignacio’s love for its flora and fauna shines at botanical gardens, and medicinal trails.  

Festivals and events are plentiful too, including the historic La Ruta Maya, an exhilarating river canoe race from Cayo to Belize. Whether you’re visiting to see Maya relics, to river canoe and swim in fresh waters, or rest up in the Mountain Pine Ridge, San Ignacio is a quintessential Belizean experience.