Town centre
Hostels, food, toursBurns Avenue and the streets around the market.
City guide
Things to do in San Ignacio
Belize's inland adventure base: the ATM cave and its Maya remains, Xunantunich and Caracol, waterfalls in the Mountain Pine Ridge, a Saturday market and Tikal just over the border.
9
Hostels in the city
9.2
Average, from 3,918 reviews
15 min
To the Guatemalan border
3–5
Days of caves and ruins
Caves, ruins and jungle
San Ignacio is a lively small town in the Cayo District of western Belize, on the Macal River and close to the border with Guatemala. With its twin town of Santa Elena across the river, it is the base for Belize's inland adventures, and it has a good choice of hostels, cheap food and tour operators.
The area is packed with Maya history. Cahal Pech, a small site on a hill in town, can be walked to. Xunantunich, reached by a hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River, has a pyramid with views into Guatemala. Caracol, deep in the forest to the south, was one of the most powerful Maya cities. Most memorable of all is Actun Tunichil Muknal, the ATM cave, where you swim and wade into a cave to see Maya pottery and skeletons left as offerings more than a thousand years ago.
The Mountain Pine Ridge has waterfalls and pools, and Tikal, one of the greatest Maya sites, is a day trip across the border. Give San Ignacio three to five days.
Where to base yourself
In town for hostels, food and tour pick-ups, or in jungle lodges outside town for nature.
Santa Elena
Across the riverThe twin town, with guesthouses.
Jungle lodges
NatureLodges along the rivers outside town.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 5 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in San Ignacio
Take a guided trip into the ATM cave, the highlight of most trips to Belize: you swim into the cave mouth, wade and climb for about an hour, and reach chambers with Maya pottery and skeletons, including the Crystal Maiden. Cameras are banned. Trips cost about €85 to €110 with transport and guide.
Visit Xunantunich by hand-cranked ferry and climb El Castillo, and walk up to Cahal Pech in town. Make the long day trip to Caracol, combined with the waterfalls and pools of the Mountain Pine Ridge, such as Big Rock Falls and Rio On Pools. Canoe into Barton Creek Cave, or go cave tubing.
See the Green Iguana Conservation Project in town, shop at the Saturday market, and take a day trip to Tikal in Guatemala.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Walking around San Ignacio and Santa Elena, the river and the Saturday market costs nothing.
Cahal Pech charges a small entry fee, as do Xunantunich and Caracol, but the hand-cranked ferry to Xunantunich is free.
Swimming in the Macal River near town is free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
San Ignacio is one of the cheapest places to eat in Belize. Try rice and beans with stew chicken, garnaches and salbutes from street stalls, and fry jacks for breakfast, often for €3 to €9. The Saturday market has fruit, tamales and pupusas.
Burns Avenue, the pedestrian street, has restaurants of every kind.
Belikin is the local beer. Marie Sharp's hot sauce is on every table.
Nightlife
Going out
San Ignacio has a handful of bars on and around Burns Avenue, with live music at weekends. Hostels often have their own bars.
Most tours start early, so nights tend to be quiet.
Take taxis after dark if you are staying out of town.
Getting around
Getting around
Buses run along the Western Highway from Belize City to San Ignacio in around two to three hours, and are cheap. Shuttles from Belize City, the airport and the water taxi terminal are faster and pricier.
Tours include transport to the caves and ruins. Taxis are cheap around town.
The Guatemalan border at Benque Viejo is about 15 minutes away. You pay an exit fee when leaving Belize overland, in cash. Tikal is about two hours from San Ignacio.
Costs
What San Ignacio costs
San Ignacio is the cheapest base in Belize. Dorm beds start at around €15 to €25 a night, and street food costs €3 to €9.
The tours are the main cost: the ATM cave at about €85 to €110, and Caracol and Tikal day trips at similar prices or more.
The Belize dollar is fixed at two to one with the US dollar, and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, though change often comes in Belize dollars.
Safety
Safety and scams
San Ignacio is generally safe for travellers. Take normal care at night and use taxis to reach lodges outside town.
The ATM cave involves swimming, climbing and darkness; go only with a licensed guide, and the cave can close after heavy rain. Wear shoes that can get wet.
Bring insect repellent for the jungle. When crossing to Guatemala, use official border posts and change money carefully. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Maya cities, caves and waterfalls.
Xunantunich
A Maya site with views into Guatemala.
Caracol and Mountain Pine Ridge
A great Maya city and waterfalls.
Tikal
One of the greatest Maya sites, in Guatemala.
What's on
What is on while you are there
La Ruta Maya and the Saturday market.
March
La Ruta Maya
San Ignacio to Belize City
A four-day canoe race down the Macal and Belize rivers.
Every Saturday
Saturday market
San Ignacio
Fruit, food and crafts from across Cayo.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in San Ignacio, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
D's Hostel
Rooms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Lower Dover Jungle Lodge & Maya Ruins
Dorms from €23 a night
See dates and book
The Old House Hostel
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Yellow Belly Backpackers
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Bella's Backpackers
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
When to go
December to April is the dry season and the best time for caves and ruins. The rainy season, from June to November, brings afternoon storms, and caves can close after heavy rain.
Jan
Dry, busiest
Feb
Dry
Mar
Dry, La Ruta Maya
Apr
Hot and dry
May
Rains begin
Jun
Wet afternoons
Jul
Hot and humid
Aug
Wet
Sep
Wettest, caves may close
Oct
Wet
Nov
Rains easing
Dec
Dry season returns
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Inland Cayo is more humid than the coast.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on San Ignacio prices.
Treat these as a guide. Tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
San Ignacio questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is the ATM cave worth it?
Yes. It is one of the most remarkable experiences in Central America. Go with a licensed guide and expect to get wet.
Can I take photos in the ATM cave?
No. Cameras and phones have been banned since one was dropped on a skull.
How do I get from Belize City to San Ignacio?
By bus along the Western Highway, in two to three hours, or by shuttle.
Can I visit Tikal from San Ignacio?
Yes, on a day tour across the border, about two hours away. Pay the Belize exit fee in cash.
How many days do I need in San Ignacio?
Three to five days for the ATM cave, the ruins and the waterfalls.
Is San Ignacio cheaper than the cayes?
Yes, it is the cheapest base in Belize.
When is the best time to visit?
December to April, when caves are least likely to close.
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