Things to do in San Ignacio (Cayo)
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Cahal Pech
High atop a hill on the southern outskirts of San Ignacio, Cahal Pech is the oldest known Maya site in the Belize River valley, having been first settled between 1500 and 1000 BC. It is, perhaps, less impressive than Xunantunich or Caracol, but it’s still a fascinating example of Preclassic Maya architecture. It was a significant Maya settlement for 2000 years or more. Cahal Pech (kah- hahl pech) is Mopan and Yucatec Mayan for ‘Place of Ticks, ’ a nickname earned in the 1950s when the site was surrounded by pastures grazed by tick-infested cattle. Today it’s a pleasantly shady site with plenty of trees and few tourists. Its core area of seven interconnected plazas has …
reviewed
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Hanna’s Restaurant
Hanna’s is the most popular spot in town, any time of day. Go for fresh-squeezed juices, hearty omelettes and homemade yogurt at breakfast; rice and beans or filling sandwiches for lunch; or Hanna’s delectable spicy ginger rum shrimp for an unbeatable dinner. Indian dishes and other meatless options cater to vegetarians.
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Eva’s Restaurant
Eva’s is a San Ignacio institution, now under new ownership. It’s better for information than for eating, although it’s a fun place to hang out in the late afternoon as groups return from their outings. Offers all of the standard tours, including hiking, biking, birding and trips to Caracol.
reviewed
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Back to My Roots
Offers cool handmade jewelry, including silver, amber and other semiprecious stones. The name of the place refers to the drums and other Rasta gear for sale.
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Green Iguana Exhibit
The Green Iguana Exhibit is in the lush Macal Valley grounds of the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. The green iguana can grow a very impressive 6ft long, but it’s threatened chiefly because the eggs were once considered a delicacy (it’s now illegal to eat them or to hunt the iguanas). This program collects and hatches iguana eggs, raising the reptiles until they are past their most vulnerable age. The iguanas are then released into the wild, but not before giving guests a chance to get to know them. You’ll get plenty of face time (and photo ops), as well as fun facts about iguanas. On the way back from the exhibit, learn about local herbs and plants on the medicinal jungl…
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Xunantunich
Belize's most accessible Maya site of significance, Xunantunich (pronounced shoo-nahn-too-neech), is reached via a free hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River at San José Succotz. Climb to the top of El Castillo, the largest structure set 40m (130ft) above the main plaza, to enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view.
Set on a leveled hilltop, Xunantunich may have been occupied as early as 1000 BC but was little more than a village until the 7th century AD, when the large architecture we now see began to be built. A good visitors center, between the ticket office and the hilltop ruins, explains Xunantunich's history.
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Café Sol
The menu at Café Sol is eclectic, with Greek salad wraps, pineapple ginger chicken and Thai noodle shrimp salad, making it a delightfully delicious place to eat. But the cafe also enjoys an easygoing coffee shop atmosphere, with artwork on the walls and plush sofas in the corner, so you might be just as inclined to order coffee and dessert or a fruit smoothie while you read and relax.
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Martha’s Kitchen
Martha’s receives all-round rave reviews, not only for its well-appointed rooms, but also for the diverse and delectable menu. Highlights run the gamut, from tasty pizza and delicious fish burritos, to juicy steaks and vegetarian kebabs. Take a seat inside the wood-accented dining room or outside on the foliage-fronted terrace, but don’t be surprised if you have to wait.
reviewed
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Hode’s Place
Locals love this rambling place north of the center. A large terrace restaurant opening onto a citrus orchard and kids’ playground, it’s a popular spot for families (a jukebox and games room also help). Friendly service and satisfying food – from burritos and fajitas to steaks, seafood and rice and beans – complete the successful recipe.
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Amore Mio
Who can resist homemade pizza and pasta dishes made by a real Italian chef? On an inviting terrace overlooking Market Sq, Amore Mio’s husband-wife team – Fabio and Simonetta – serves up crispy-crust pies and pasta al dente. Wash it down with a swig of vino rosso and you might forget you are in Central America.
reviewed
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Erva’s
Locals recommend Erva’s for top-notch Belizean food and super-friendly service. Try the local Cayo specialty known as chaya, which is a leafy green, often sautéed with butter and garlic. The interior of this place is pretty nondescript; take a seat on the tiny terrace and enjoy the breeze while you wait for your meal.
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Green Hills Butterfly Ranch
Around 35 exotic and colorful butterfly species are bred here - at Belize's largest live butterfly display. On the tours, knowledgeable guides take you around and explain the insects' life cycle from egg to caterpillar to pupa to butterfly. Many have gorgeous iridescent colors which will both captivate and surprise.
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Firenza Café
Please your palate with daily changing seafood specials, handmade Italian sausage or fresh pasta. There is an inviting seating area on the back patio, but be warned: you can’t avoid the aromas wafting from the pizza oven, so it’s virtually impossible not to order one of the specialty pies!
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Belize Explorer
Among other tours, Belize Explorer organizes custom-designed mountain- and jungle-biking expeditions, which generally feature three to six hours of riding each day, and warm Maya hospitality in local homes at night. Hard-core adventurers may want to engage in ‘30 days of nonstop action.’
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Belize Gifts
This place has an excellent selection of high quality souvenirs, including beautiful salad bowls, jewelry boxes and other wooden items. There is also a small selection of books and guidebooks about Belize, including the useful Guide to the Maya Sites of Belize by Jaime Awe.
reviewed
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New Hope Woodworking
South of the center, this carpentry workshop is a worthwhile stop if you are in the market for wooden furniture, cabinetry or smaller items made from mahogany or native woods. Be prepared to check it with your luggage, because it is prohibitively expensive to ship.
reviewed
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River Rat Expeditions
Specialist in kayaking, river-tubing and cave trips. Enjoy a relaxing paddle down the Mopan River near Clarissa Falls, or take on some white water near Paslow Falls. Also books multiday kayaking and camping adventures, but arrangements must be made in advance.
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Pacz Tours
The original tour company for Actun Tunichil Muknal. This company has new ownership, but trips are reliably excellent. Check out the bike trip to Spanish Lookout (per person BZ$120), a local Mennonite community.
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Everald’s Caracol Shuttle
Knowledgeable guide Everald Tut organizes day trips to Caracol (per person BZ$150). Tour groups may be large, as he takes guests from the resort, as well as other organized groups and independent travelers.
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Stork Club
This hotel is a bit of a social hub, attracting tourists and expats but not too many locals. There is often live music on Saturday; otherwise, DJs play on Friday and Saturday nights.
reviewed
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Pitpan Tavern
This tiny little bar is a great local hangout, just behind Market Sq. Excellent atmosphere, by day or night. Come for cold drinks, hot music and plenty of local flavor.
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Paradise Expeditions
Run by the accomplished local bird guide Jeronie Tut, offering trips for both the ‘casual and serious birder.’ Operates from Crystal Paradise Resort.
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Arts & Crafts of Central America
This little shop sells a wide variety of handmade jewelry, handbags and textiles, mostly from Guatemala. This is also the place to book your tours with Easy Rider.
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Easy Rider
Highly recommended horse-riding trips to Bullet Tree Falls or Cahal Pech. Two person minimum. Inquire inside Arts & Crafts of Central America.
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Belizean Sun
Offers canoeing or river-tubing, jungle hikes, horseback riding. Also organizes trips to any of the nearby Maya ruins, including Tikal.
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