Top San Ignacio Eco Tours

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.