LOCATION 
Belize, previously British Honduras, lies on the East coast of Central America and in the heart of the Caribbean Basin. It is bordered by Mexico to the North, Guatemala to the West and South, and the Caribbean Sea to the East. Geographically Belize is located between 15° 52′ 9″ and 18° 29′ 55″ North Latitude, and 87° 28″ and 89° 13′ 67″ West Longitude with an area of 8,866 sq. miles including 266 sq. miles of islands.

The cayes or islands, the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are the main attractions to Belize. The barrier reef, which is the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, is 185 miles long. The cayes and atolls provide great opportunity for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, sailing, and kayaking, and also serve as a habitat for both nesting birds and turtles. In the central part of Belize the land is higher. It is between 1,500 and 3,680 feet above sea level in the Mountain Pine Ridge Area and the Maya Mountains. Breathtaking waterfalls, historic Mayan cities and majestic mountains are but a few of the attractions that can be enjoyed in this area.

CLIMATE 
The climate is subtropical, with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean Sea. The country has an annual mean temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is nicely tempered by the Sea breezes. The variation in weather further emphasizes the interesting difference in elevation, geology, plant and animal life. Summer high temperatures, are normally around 98 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter lows have rarely gone below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night.

RAINFALL 
Normally, the rainy season is usually between June and November and the dry season is between February and May. Usually, the weather becomes cooler at the end of October and this lasts up until February. Average humidity is 85 percent. Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the North to 170 inches in the South.

PEOPLE 
The population of approximately 250,000 people consists of a mixture of Creoles, Garifunas, Mestizos, Mayas, Caucasians, Mennonites, Lebanese, Chinese, and East Indians. Belize has gained a widespread reputation for its friendly people.

LANGUAGE 
English is the official language of Belize, Spanish is the second language and Creole is the commonly used dialect you will hear spoken throughout the country.

CURRENCY 
The Belize Dollar (BZ$) has a fixed rate of exchange of BZ$2 to US$1. Most hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tour operators will accept U.S. currency, traveler’s checks, or credit cards.

TIME 
Time observed year round is GMT-6, which is the same as United States Central Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is not observed in Belize.


San Ignacio is a small town in the Cayo region of Belize. San Ignacio, or Cayo as it is often called locally, is on the Macal river, and makes a good and affordable base for exploration of the stunning regions around it, with plenty of day trips to be taken and several decent tour guides willing to take you. It’s also an important transit town en route to or from Guatemala. Cayo is known for having a multitude of ruins, caves, and rivers, all of which can be explored by travelers. Stay at San Ignacio Belize Hotel 

Hardly a beach town, San Ignacio is more of a jungle, inland town that is a relatively short drive away from the beautiful beaches of Belize. The town is renowned for its close proximity to Belize’s famous Mayan ruins, as well as a hub for outdoor activities including caving, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, and more. It is also one of the last towns in Belize before entering Guatemala, where many visitors go to visit the Tikal Mayan ruins. Elect to stay in San Ignacio for multiple nights, or make it a day trip from the beach or en route to Tikal–either way, the special quality of San Ignacio will leave you enchanted!

Tours in San Ignacio

There are many tour companies in San Ignacio. Many of these conduct day trips, leaving early in the morning and returning the same afternoon. Note that not all tours are available on any given day. Most tour companies require a certain minimum number of registrations before they run. Checking in the night before for which tours are available the next day is often the best option. For a quick list, check out the Best of Cayo tour page.

Most hotels in San Ignacio will also book tours for you, with their preferred tour company. The more popular tours, such as Tikal, ATM Cave, and Xunantunich, run daily, so you need only provide a day’s notice.

Pacz Tours: Pacz Tours is one of the best tours to visit a wide variety of interesting caves, ruins, rivers, and jungle trails.

Explore Inland Tours: Sergio Paiz specialize in Cave Exploration, Mayan (archaeological) Site visits and history, Zip-lining, spectacular scenery and sink holes and many more. Explore Inland Tours (Destiny Tours) believe there is no better way to see Belize than on a small group tour that allows for better interaction with each guest to experience.

Ka’Wiil Tours: Belize Adventure Tours around San Ignacio: ATM Cave, Cave Tubing, Mayan Ruins, Nature Walks and Cave Expiration can all be done with Ka’Wiil Tours.