Introducing San Ignacio (Cayo)
Travelers to Cayo spend their time swimming in jungle-clad rivers, canoeing or crawling through mysterious caves, spying on birds, butterflies and other creatures, and learning the secrets of the ancient Maya. And at the end of the day, many of them make their way back to San Ignacio to rest up for the next day’s adventure.
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Together with neighboring Santa Elena, on the east bank of the river, San Ignacio forms the chief population center of Cayo District. Staying here is generally the more economical option for travel in Cayo; furthermore, there is no shortage of tour operators who are willing to show you the attractions and activities in the surrounding area. It is a friendly, functional base for your explorations in the region.
But San Ignacio is not one of those towns that exist only for tourists. It has a very positive local vibe, with a bustling market and a steady influx of immigrants. Residents are Mestizos, Maya and Garifuna, as well as a bunch of free-spirited expatriates from Europe and North America. They are easygoing and outgoing. Sure, they might try to make a buck off you, but there is no hard sell and they are just as likely to engage you in a discussion or invite you for a beer.
San Ignacio is located on the west bank of the Macal River a couple of miles upstream from its confluence with the Mopan River – a meeting of waters that gives birth to the Belize River. This once-remote location between two rivers gives San Ignacio its alternative name of Cayo – a Spanish word meaning ‘island.’
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
