Cayo District Belize

On the western side of Belize, you will find the Cayo District, showing an incredible wealth of interest and activities for tourists. Cayo is also a gateway to Guatemala to visit the incredible ruins of Tikal. Cayo, the largest district in Belize, is often referred to as the "cultural heart" of Belize due to its unique blend of ancient Maya sites, lush rainforests, and vibrant modern communities. In Cayo, you'll find the ruins of Xunantunich, with its 39-meter-high El Castillo pyramid, and Caracol, the country's largest Maya ruin. The Cayo District also offers a wide array of activities such as caving, cave tubing, hiking, zip-lining, and exploring waterfalls.

Things to do in Cayo Belize

Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites
Actun Tunichil Muknal known as the ATM Cave is a must-do for the physically capable. This trip involves hiking, wading, and swimming through the jungle and into the cave, where you'll find ancient Mayan pottery and human sacrificial remains. Xunantunich is also a very impressive and accessible Mayan site located near the border with Guatemala. You can climb to the top of the "El Castillo" pyramid for breathtaking panoramic views of the Cayo District and even into Guatemala. Caracol is a remote but rewarding experience, it's the largest archaeological site in the country and was once one of the most important regional political centers in the entire Maya world.

Caving Adventures
Cayo's landscape has a network of limestone caves that you can explore by going cave tubing, a popular activity where you can float on an inner tube through a series of caves on the Caves Branch River, with your headlamp illuminating the rock formations and sparkling minerals. St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park offers a great combination of hiking and cave exploration. You can also swim in the nearby blue cenote.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
This beautiful protected area consists of beautiful and lush mountains with rivers, waterfalls and caves hosting the most beautiful flora and fauna. The reserve's pine forests offer numerous hiking and birdwatching opportunities. You can spot the Orange-breasted Falcon, as well as other unique species like the Stygian Owl and Eastern Bluebird. This is the only pine forest in all of Central America and the largest and oldest of Belize's parklands.

Belize Botanic Gardens
Belize Botanic Garden is a 45-acre botanical garden nestled in a valley along the banks of the Macal River, surrounded by the foothills of the Maya mountains. The gardens showcase a wide variety of native Belizean and Central American plants and are a beautiful place for a leisurely walk.

Visit the San Ignacio Market
On Saturdays, you can experience the vibrant and lively biggest market in the country, experiencing local life, buy fresh produce, and try some local foods.

Explore the Twin Towns and the Hawkesworth Bridge
The towns' close relationship is symbolized by the Hawkesworth Bridge, a one-lane suspension bridge built in 1949. Imported from Middlesbrough, England, it is the only drivable suspension bridge in Belize and has become a beloved landmark. It connects the more commercial and bustling San Ignacio with its sister town, Santa Elena, on the other side of the river. San Ignacio and Santa Elena serve as the economic and cultural heart of western Belize and serve as the central launching point for exploring all the natural and archaeological wonders of the Cayo District.

Cayo District tours to other destinations nearby

Visit Tikal
Tikal in Guatemala, is among the world's travel wonders, many calling it the most spiritually powerful spot on earth. The monumental site with its towering pyramids is only 2 hours away from San Ignacio.