Explore With Us
Known for it’s Mayan heritage and British Colonial era, San Ignacio has a plethora of activities for everyone. Some of the more famous activities include:
Actun Tunichil Muknal best known as ATM Cave, is THE Cave to visit when in Belize. The ATM cave rivals some of the world’s top historical, spiritual and sacrificial caves out there. We can book the ATM Cave tour for you here at the hostel before 7pm the day before you would like to go. We ask for a 50USD nonrefundable deposit at the time of booking. We book with a company called Bird Trekking Belize which is owned and operated by one of the most highly rated guides, Emil.
You and the rest of the small group start the day by hiking in the rainforest for 45 minutes until you reach the entrance of the cave. 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.
Green Iguana Conservation Project
The Green Iguana Conservation Project is a 45 minute tour located 2 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. The tour runs every hour on the hour, none at 12pm and the last goes at 4pm
Ajaw Chocolate
This is a one hour tour located 5 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. The tour runs every hour on the hour, none at 12pm and the last goes at 5pm.
Farmer’s Market
Located just passed the bus stop in town the San Ignacio Farmers Market is the largest market in Belize. Boasting a large variety of fruits and vegetables from local farmers, fresh food, handy crafts, used clothing and more. Saturdays are when the market is in full swing. However, you can find it open from 6am to 6pm daily.
Cahal Pech
As the oldest Mayan site of the Belize River Valley and the closest Mayan ruins from the hostel. It goes without saying that this temple is a must see while in San Ignacio. Our recommendation is to take a short 15-minute walk to see this temple and its shady canopy. Be sure to check out the museum for more information.
Xunantunich
This Ancient Mayan archaeological site located 15 minutes bus ride from the hostel. Its name means Stone Woman in Mayan language in reference to 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. FYI you can climb to the top of this temple.
Caracol
The largest known Mayan site in Belize and a showstopper when it comes to being emersed in the jungle. The drive there will take you 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 asking your host to see if we can arrange a tour.
The Old House Hostel
3 Buena Vista St.
San Ignacio, Cayo, BELIZE