The Old House Hostel

See & Do

Actun Tunichil Muknal

Price: From 85 to 110 $US
Includes: Transportation, Food, Licensed Guide, Entrance fees
Actun Tunichil Muknal best known as ATM Cave, is THE Cave to visit when in Belize.

You and the rest of the small group will start the day by hiking in the rainforest for 45 minutes until you reach the entrance of the cave.

Then you will spend around 3 hours inside the cave where you can see Mayan artifacts, pottery and even crystalized skeletons while either swimming or walking depending on the depth of the water. Once you are out of the cave, you will stop for a lunch break before heading back.

Mayan Temples

Cahal Pech is the oldest Mayan site of the Belize River Valley and the closest Mayan ruins from the hostel. Our recommendation is to take a short walk to the temple and get all the information you need at their visitors Centre and museum.

Xunantunich is an Ancient Mayan archaeological site located 15 minutes bus ride from the hostel. Its name means Stone Woman in Mayan language in reference of a ghost who would appear in the site and go back into a wall of stone. Its monument called El Castillo is the second tallest structure in Belize.

Caracol is the largest known Mayan site in Belize. The drive there will take your through the Pineridge Forest Reserve into the Chiquibul Forest reserve where this site is located. The drive is around 2.5 hours from San Ignacio. There is not public transportation to Caracol, we recommend renting a vehicle or getting a tour.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is a nature reserve that was established to protect and manage the native Belizean pine forests. This area offers many different hikes, sites and rivers such as Rio Frio Cave, Big Rock Falls, Rio On pools, and 1,000 foot falls. There is no public transportation to Pine ridge, we recommend renting a vehicle or getting a tour.

Branch Mouth

Branch Mouth is the meeting place of the Mopan River, coming from Guatemala, and the Macal River, flowing down from Mountain Pine Ridge. The confluence of these rivers forms the beginning of the Belize River, which flows northeast to the sea. It’s a cool spot for a swim on a hot day. There is also a rope that you can swing on. You can get there by taxi or a 20 minute walk from the hostel.

Cristo Rey Falls

Amazing place to go swim under crashing waterfalls and the water is cool and refreshing. You can always find local kids jumping off the rocks that surround this natural pool. You can also stop at the Chaya Garden Ashram which is a Yoga Retreat that you will see right before the falls to get some homemade Kombucha or vegan food.

Green Iguana Conservation Project

The Green Iguana Conservation Project is a 45 minute tour located 3 minutes from the hostel. The project collects and hatches iguana eggs, raising the reptiles until they are past their most vulnerable age. The iguanas are then released back into the wild. You’ll be able to see many iguanas, learn about their habits and life cycle. The tour also follows a medicinal jungle trail that winds through the forest.

Ajaw Chocolate

This is a one hour tour located 2 minutes walk from the hostel where you will learn how the Mayans made chocolate from the cacao bean. You will learn from the best, a local family who is passionate about chocolate making. You will help grinding the bean in the traditional way as well as tasting it at different stages of preparation.

Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Centre

The Belize Zoo exhibits over 170 animals, representing over 45 species, all native to Belize. The Zoo keeps animals which were orphaned, rescued, born at the zoo, rehabilitated animals, or sent to The Belize Zoo as donations from other zoological institutions.