San Ignacio is the heart and soul of the Cayo District
Originally a small village of logging camps and chicle farmers, San Ignacio and its twin town of Santa Elena have grown to become a thriving metropolitan area in the western part of the country. Close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal just over the border in Guatemala as well as several of Belize’s most prominent Mayan ruins, San Ignacio is a popular tourist destination.
San Ignacio is one of Belize’s most diverse urban areas, with Mestizos, Creoles, Lebanese, Mennonite and Chinese indigenous populations calling the area home.
Where in Belize Is it Located?
San Ignacio is the de facto capital of the western Cayo District. Along with its twin town Santa Elena, San Ignacio is built on the banks of the Macal River and form the second-largest municipal district in the country after Belize City.
When Is the Best Time to Visit San Ignacio Town
The weather in San Ignacio, much like the rest of the country, is generally warm and pleasant all year-round. The green season runs approximately from May to November.
Best way to Get to San Ignacio Belize
The easiest and fastest way to get to San Ignacio is by domestic flight from either the municipal airport in Belize City (TZA) or the Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City with Tropic Air. All flights land at Maya Flats (MYF) airstrip just a few miles outside of San Ignacio Town.
Overland, San Ignacio Town is accessible from Belize City via the Western Highway. The highway runs through the twin city of Santa Elena which is connected to San Ignacio by two one-way bridges. Take the right-hand turn leading downhill to arrive at the bridge entering San Ignacio Town.
Buses from all over the country connect to San Ignacio Town, with a travel time of approximately 2-3 hours from Belize City and approximately three hours from Dangriga.
Best Way to Experience San Ignacio Belize
There’s plenty to do and see in San Ignacio but the town is most popularly used as a base for exploring all of the local attractions including the Mayan ruins of Caracol, Xunantunich and Cahal Pech, the ATM Cave, Barton Creek Cave, the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, zip lining, and Tikal just over the border in neighboring Guatemala.
Contact us if you have any questions or need assistance in planning your San Ignacio Belize vacation.
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