Top San Ignacio Eco Tours

Journey to the ancient Mayan ruins of Xunantunich atop a trusty steed on a half-day horseback riding adventure from San Ignacio. Ride along the Mopan River and through a private organic farm for a unique way to reach the fascinating archaeological site, where you can explore the remains of royal palaces and one of Belize’s largest ceremonial temples with a guide. A typical Belizean lunch caps off the morning tour.

Discover pristine forests, limestone caves and scenic waterfalls on a full-day trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve from San Ignacio. Visit the hidden source of the Rio Frio river, then slip into the water at a series of natural pools and rock slides. Pause for a picnic lunch before continuing to Big Rock Falls, a 150-foot (46-meter) waterfall that gives off a cooling spray of mist as it tumbles into a clear, deep swimming hole, then return to San Ignacio through the rugged mountain terrain.

Canoe to the remote Barton Creek Cave on a full-day trip from San Ignacio with an optional zipline adventure, butterfly farm visit or jungle hike to Big Rock Falls.  Glide into a hidden cave entrance that’s surrounded by water, and explore a deep series of passages that were sacred to the ancient Maya. Use your headlight to illuminate crystal formations and dangling stalactites, and learn about the cave’s ceremonial history. Slip into the water for a cool swim, then finish your day with the adventure of your choice.

Climb one of Belize's tallest temples and learn the history of the ancient Mayan civilization on a tour of Xunantunich, a hilltop archaeological site near San Ignacio. After walking among the ruins of ball courts and royal palaces, head to a tucked-away forest reserve for a jungle pontoon cruise. It's an eco-friendly way to explore the Belizean rain forest, complete with waterfalls, tubing, and cliff jumping for the adventurous. 

Journey to the heart of ‘Xibalba,’ the ancient Mayan underworld, inside the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (ATM Cave). Named one of the top caves in the world by National Geographic, ATM is only accessible with an expert guide to lead you through a labyrinth of flooded passageways, tight squeezes, and steep climbs. It's all worth it to walk through glittering caverns strewn with 1,000-year old pottery and the chilling remains of human sacrifice victims.

Explore the dominion of the ancient Maya in Belize on a full-day tour from San Ignacio. Climb to the top of sacred pyramids and learn about the once-mighty civilization at the archaeological site of Xunantunich, and enter a portal to the Mayan underworld on a cave tubing adventure that takes you splashing through the crystalline caverns of an underground cave system. Round-trip transport from San Ignacio Town and lunch are included on this tour.

Awaken your inner archaeologist as you explore the sprawling Mayan ruins of Caracol. Departing from San Ignacio, you’ll journey deep into the jungles of Belize to the Chiquibul Forest Reserve — home to one of the largest Mayan sites in the country. Your expert guide will illuminate the fascinating history of Caracol, which was once a mighty city and a rival of neighboring Tikal in Guatemala. Explore magnificent plazas, temples, palaces, and an observatory while learning about the social and religious practices of the ancient Mayans. Round-trip transport from your San Ignacio hotel is included on this full-day tour.

Explore the cave of the crystal sepulcher on a full-day tour to Actun Tunichil Muknal from San Ignacio, and discover a spiritual site that was sacred to the ancient Maya. Learn about the traditions and rites that took place in the cave system and visit the crystallized remains of an ancient ceremonial victim as you hike deep into the cave with a professional guide. Swim through a spring-fed pool, and follow tunnels, passageways and yawning chambers lined with stalactites, stalagmites, ancient ceramics and stoneware.

Float through a flooded cave system then soar through the jungle canopy on a full-day combination tubing and ziplining adventure from San Ignacio with a small group. Hike through a lush forest to reach the Caves Branch River, then float alongside your guide as you explore the natural formations, glittering crystals and stalactites inside a spacious series of caverns. Swap your inner tube for a harness, then strap in to a series of exciting ziplines that take you from tree to tree with a bird’s-eye view of the forest floor. 

Ride a horse to the Maya ceremonial center of Xunantunich on a 4-hour private tour from a legendary riding stable in San Ignacio. Follow your guide along the gentle Mopan River, and watch for tropical birds and howler monkeys among the trees. Enjoy a sweeping view of the Xunantunich complex, then spend an hour at the fascinating site; take in the towering El Castillo pyramid and enjoy the serenity of the rural spot as you ride through the partially excavated ruins before returning to San Ignacio.

Journey into the heart of the Mayan underworld at the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave. Departing from San Ignacio, this guided, action-packed 9-hour tour kicks off with a 45-minute, physically intense jungle hike through the Tapir Nature Reserve to the entrance of the cave. Swim, climb, and spelunk your way through astonishing caverns into the depths of the cave, where you’ll get an up-close look at artifacts and offerings used in ancient Mayan ceremonies. Round-trip transport and riverside lunch are included. Please note this tour isn't recommended for those with a fear of enclosed spaces or heights.

Step back in time to the powerful peak of the ancient Mayan civilization with this guided 3-hour tour of the Xunantunich ruins. Let your imagination run wild as you explore the temples, plazas, and royal palaces of the famed archaeological site by foot. From the top of the imposing El Castillo pyramid, take in panoramic views of the surrounding Belize River Valley and the ancient city below. Round-trip transport from your San Ignacio hotel is included.

Enjoy an easy, economical exit from Belize with this shared departure transfer from your San Ignacio hotel to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE). This prompt, door-to-door shuttle service will pick you up at your hotel and take you directly to the international airport near Belize City, approximately a 1.5-hour ride.

Visit the incredible ancient city of Tikal on this day trip from San Ignacio. Once a powerful city center during the Mayan period, today Tikal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws scores of visitors each year. Your professional guide takes you across the border into Tikal National Park in Guatemala, and leads you on a fascinating tour of the archaeological complex. Round-trip transport from your San Ignacio hotel and all park fees are included.

Visit the ruins of a mighty Mayan city on a guided tour of the Xunantunich archaeological site near San Ignacio. Cross the Mopan River on a traditional hand-canked ferry, and then ascend to the hilltop complex featuring the remnants of plazas, royal quaters, ball courts, and the imposing El Castillo temple — the second tallest in Belize. Climb to the top of the great pyramid for views that stretch into Guatemala, and learn about the fascinating ancient Mayan civilization from a guide.

Belize Ground Shuttle is a professional shuttle company operating daily shared shuttle service for travelers between San Ignacio and the Belize International Airport (BZE). Ride in style and comfort in our brand new vans. We offer regularly scheduled shuttle runs to and from the airport for all international travelers. Spaces are limited on each shuttle run, so book early. All shuttles feature free WiFi, water, air conditioning, and a professional driver. You should be at the airport at least two hour prior to your flight departure. Please select the shuttle departure time that fits your schedule. *Drop off at the Belize City water taxi terminal and municipal airstrip available upon request. Additional fees may apply. Please inquire

Combine three experiences in one day during this comprehensive excursion ideal for travelers on a time budget. See more of the region than you could alone—including a stop at the Xunantich archaeological site for a tour from a local guide—without the hassle of arranging your own transport. Then, sample several typical Belizean foods and learn to make chocolate the Mayan way.

Explore the mysteries of the Mayan underworld with an expedition to Crystal Cave in Belize’s Blue Hole National Park. On this full-day trip from San Ignacio, a professional guide will lead you along a lush jungle trail to the cave entrance, where you’ll spelunk your way through glistening limestone formations and encounter ceremonial artifacts left behind by the ancient Maya. When you emerge back into the daylight, take a refreshing dip in the beautiful Blue Hole, a natural sinkhole surrounded by towering tropical forest. Lunch and round-trip transport from San Ignacio are included.

Discover a new side of your favorite foods! See the gingers in bloom. Smell the all-spice leaf. Touch the vanilla orchid. Taste the cacao fruit.

The Caves Branch Botanical Gardens were created in 2008 by Ella Baron and the Caves Branch Jungle Lodge to bring awareness to the general public about the beauty and importance of Belizean flora and fauna. Visitors to the garden have the great opportunity to smell the lemongrass and all-spice leaves, see the coffee, cacao, papaya and pineapple growing, at various times of the year, along the sides of the walkways through the gardens. We specialize in native epiphytes, such as orchids and bromeliads (air plants) and have the largest collection of these plants in the country.