Top San Ignacio Outdoor Activities

With the hills, rivers, waterfalls, rain forest, and caves of Belize’s Cayo District all just a short hop away, San Ignacio town makes an ideal base for adrenaline addicts searching for adventure. From ziplining over the jungle canopy to spelunking through subterranean caves, here are a few of the outdoor activities on offer.

Caving

Beneath the thick jungles of the Cayo District is a network of underground cave systems, many of which were used by the ancient Maya people for ceremonial purposes. Different caves offer different types of adventures. Some can be explored on cave tubing tours, allowing visitors to float through the hidden watery chambers. Others, such as Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM), require more strenuous activities, such as swimming through watery channels, climbing up rocky ledges, squeezing through narrow passageways, and scrambling through chambers still strewn with Maya artifacts.

Ziplining

There are few more exhilarating ways to take in the jungle scenery than hurtling over the forest canopy on a zipline. Swing from treetop platform to treetop platform on wires suspended high above the forest floor, admiring views of the rain forest normally available only to birds and high-climbing monkeys.

Horseback Riding

The foothills, jungles, and riversides near San Ignacio are best explored by eco-friendly means, such as horseback riding. Hit the saddle for jungle treks that lead to caves, waterfalls, sinkholes, ancient burial chambers and temples, and elevated lookouts with panoramic views of the Maya ruin–dotted landscapes.

Canoeing and Kayaking

With waterways providing access to dense jungle areas that are otherwise difficult to reach, canoeing and kayaking simply make sense here. Paddle down the Macal, Belize, or Mopan River and look out for animals such as howler monkeys, toucans, and iguanas along the shoreline. Some paddling excursions venture inside Barton Creek Cave. During these adventure tours, participants navigate watery cave passages by the light of a headlamp, passing by crystal formations and remnants of old Maya sites.

Exploring Maya Sites

The Maya civilization, which extended throughout much of Central America and reached its peak in the first millennium AD, was particularly concentrated in the Cayo District. Explore ancient archaeological sites, such as Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, and Caracol, where you can climb up old stone temples, wander across ancient plazas, and visit old tomb sites.