San Ignacio

Travel Guide

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Cahal Pech is a Maya site located near the Town of San Ignacio in the Cayo District of Belize. The site was a palatial, hilltop home for an elite Maya family, and though most major construction dates to the Classic period, evidence of continuous habitation has been dated to as far back as 1200 BCE during the Early Middle Formative period, making Cahal Pech one of the oldest recognizably Maya sites in Western Belize. The site rests high above the banks of the Macal River and is strategically located to overlook the confluence of the Macal River and the Mopan River. The site is a collection of 34 structures, with the tallest temple being about 25 meters in height, situated around a central acropolis. The site was abandoned in the 9th century CE for unknown reasons.
Cahal Pech is a Maya site located near the Town of San Ignacio in the Cayo District of Belize. The site was a palatial, hilltop home for an elite Maya family, and though most major construction dates to the Classic period, evidence of continuous habitation has been dated to as far back as 1200 BCE during the Early Middle Formative period, making Cahal Pech one of the oldest recognizably Maya sites in Western Belize. The site rests high above the banks of the Macal River and is strategically located to overlook the confluence of the Macal River and the Mopan River. The site is a collection of 34 structures, with the tallest temple being about 25 meters in height, situated around a central acropolis. The site was abandoned in the 9th century CE for unknown reasons.
Cave Tubing near San Ignacio, Belize. See life inside and outside the cave system while gently floating down the river. #Belize #SanIgnacio

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Falling Leaves Lodge

Falling Leaves Lodge

4 out of 5
2 W Young Ford Drive San Ignacio Cayo District
Book a stay at this spa hotel in San Ignacio. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (185 reviews)
The cabana was cute, clean, and the location was great, next to cahal peche, with a wonderful view above town. The layout of the property in the mountain jungle was very pretty. The staff is absolutely wonderful, especially Paula, who will help you with absolutely everything and give you the best ...

Reviewed on 4 February 2026

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Falling Leaves Lodge
Cassia Hill Resort

Cassia Hill Resort

3 out of 5
Mile 68 George Price Western Highway San Ignacio Cayo
Stay at this resort in San Ignacio. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (139 reviews)
Courteous staff

Reviewed on 7 February 2026

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Cassia Hill Resort
Cahal Pech Village Resort

Cahal Pech Village Resort

3 out of 5
Cahal Pech Hill San Ignacio
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Ignacio. Enjoy free parking, 2 outdoor pools, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (605 reviews)
Amazing hilltop resort, they will book tours or all tour companies also pickup on request. Three pools and outdoor cabanas. Long hill walk up/down to get here but supermarkets and restaurants at foot of hill. Town centre is walkable but up/down hills each way. Not all cabins have a wifi router and ...

Reviewed on 8 February 2026

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Cahal Pech Village Resort
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Santa Cruz Cabins

Santa Cruz Cabins

3 out of 5
16 San Leopoldo Street San Ignacio Cayo District
Stay at this cabin in San Ignacio. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions San Ignacio Market and San Ignacio & Santa Elena ...
10/10 Exceptional! (23 reviews)
Wonderful hosts, beautiful cabins, and gracious hosts. We poked a tour to Tikal, but wish we would have stayed one more day just to enjoy the cabin.

Reviewed on 9 February 2026

Santa Cruz Cabins
Chial Reserve

Chial Reserve

4.5 out of 5
Chial Road San Ignacio Cayo District
Book a stay at this luxury villa in San Ignacio. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private pools. Popular attractions Belize Botanic Gardens and Xunantunich ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5 reviews)
Amazing property!

Reviewed on 14 December 2025

Chial Reserve
Villa Cayo - Adults Only

Villa Cayo - Adults Only

3.5 out of 5
Mile 1 and 1/2 San Ignacio Cayo
Stay at this apartment in San Ignacio. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Monkey Falls and San Ignacio & Santa Elena ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
Outstanding property. Up on a hill with a beautiful view of the jungle. We heard howler monkeys and saw toucans. Great kitchen with everything you need to cook. High quality pots and pans and sharp knives, which I appreciate. Great hosts that were easy to communicate with and super kind.

Reviewed on 1 January 2026

Villa Cayo - Adults Only
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Maya pyramid ruin at 'Cahal Pech' in San Ignacio, Belize

Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins

4.5/5(51 reviews)

You can learn about the history of San Ignacio when you stop by Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins. You can seek out the local tours while in the area.

Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins
Colorful hammocks for sale in San Ignacio Saturday market

San Ignacio Market

4/5(69 reviews)

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at San Ignacio Market during your visit to San Ignacio. You can seek out the local tours while in the area.

San Ignacio Market
5 Sisters

Five Sisters Falls

5/5(6 reviews)

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Five Sisters Falls during your travels in San Ignacio. Discover the top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area, or seek out the local tours.

Five Sisters Falls
Red Tropical Flower

Belize Botanic Gardens

4.5/5(8 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Belize Botanic Gardens, a lovely green space in San Ignacio. Discover the top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area, or seek out the local tours.

Belize Botanic Gardens
Big Rock Falls - Belize

Big Rock Waterfalls

5/5(6 reviews)

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Big Rock Waterfalls during your travels in San Ignacio. Discover the top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area, or seek out the local tours.

Big Rock Waterfalls
Black Rock Falls

Black Rock

You can learn about the history of San Ignacio with a trip to Black Rock. You can seek out the local tours while in the area.

Black Rock

Reviews of San Ignacio

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
61
5 - Excellent 46%
4 - Good
65
4 - Good 49%
3 - Okay
7
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

DeanandDawn

Not a resort town. Easy access to ATM and Tikal makes it a stop you’ll want to include

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The Resort had everything we needed so we didn’t really get to visit much of San Ignacio, though we did a great chocolate making class there.

5/5 - Excellent

Ann

Great affordable base for the solo traveler!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Rio on Pools & Big Rock Falls are beautiful.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Close to Xunantunich, which is the second largest man made structure in Belize. 360 views of Belize & Guatemala.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

There are a couple of one-way bridges in and out of San Ignacio. Look for the small turn off signs to get to San Ignacio (its across the river from Santa Elena, which is one the main highway).