If you do an online search for Belize, you're likely to come across astoundingly beautiful photographs of the beaches, islands, and atolls that have made places like Placencia, Caye Caulker, and Ambergris Caye world-class destinations for fishing, sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. But some of Belize's most beautiful treasures are found on the mainland, including the region's tallest waterfalls and some of the last remaining jaguars in Central America.
Deep in the heart of mainland Belize lies the charming town of San Ignacio, the second-largest municipality in the country. The gateway to the west, San Ignacio is perhaps best known for its colorful open-air market located on the banks of the Macal River, a meeting point for farmers, artisans, and traditional healers from all around the region.
San Ignacio is often called the eco-tourism capital of Belize, serving as the launching point for expeditions into the nearby national parks and wildlife reserves. Families, honeymooners, and adventure travelers have a wide variety of options in the area, including picnicking at the base of a waterfall, swimming in the famous Inland Blue Hole, exploring the depths of the Crystal Cave, horseback riding through the Mountain Pine Forest Reserve, bird watching, canoeing down pristine rivers, zip lining, and cave tubing (floating down subterranean rivers on an inner tube).
San Ignacio is also where the top tours of ancient Maya sites begin. Just across from the town itself lie the ruins of Cahal Pech, a cliffside city that was once reserved for the elite of Maya society. Other nearby Maya attractions include the colossal ruins of Xunantunich and Caracol as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal located just across the border in Guatemala.
Cahal Pech Village Resort
Cahal Pech Village Resort is located in San Ignacio and named after the nearby Maya ruins. Featuring lovely thatched-roof cabanas, Cahal Pech Village Resort has a lovely freshwater swimming pool and a gourmet restaurant serving three daily courses of international and local cuisine that can be enjoyed on the resort's porch with a lovely view of the Belize river valley.
The resort specializes in organizing tours to all of the major attractions in the region, including ancient Maya sites, national parks, and outdoor adventures. Cahal Pech can also arrange for transportation and has a full complement of vacation packages that include everything you need to enjoy all the best that Belize has to offer.
