What to do San Ignacio
Actun Tunichil Muknal
The Crystal Maiden — Actun Tunichil Muknal namesake (click for more photos)
Millenia-old crystalized skeletons of Mayan sacrifices are the trail blazes inside this cave system set deep into Belizean jungle. A destination that makes a trip to Central America worthy even if it were the only thing you saw in the region. The only way to visit this sacred subterranean temple is to sign up with a tour guide, based in San Ignacio. At a minimum of $70usd (if you’re good at wheeling and dealing — $100usd is standard) it digs deep into the common tramper’s coffer. But if you can swing it — swing away, you won’t regret it. There’s a limited number of registered tour guides with permission to take tourists into the cave. All of them have been through the ringer on providing a comprehensive tour and are extremely knowledgeable and prepared for any question you might have, from Mayan culture to jungle flora and fauna. You can purchase tours from either Pacz Tours or Mayawalk Tours, or through any of the hotels and hostels in the town. Offering to stay longer than two nights and coupling the cost of your room with a discounted tour is generally a good way to buffer your budget.
If you’re faint of heart or don’t at least have a semi-respectable level of fitness, this tour may be challenging for you. The tour starts with an hour drive from San Ignacio, the last half of which is over very rough and tumble terrain. Followed by a 45-minute hike through the wild jungle, crossing the same river several times. Then there is the cave. If swimming in deep water and climbing mammoth rock formations through nearly 1,000 feet of dark winding passages and huge caverns littered with bats above and scorpion spiders at your feet sounds like your kind of adventure then you will absolutely love this once in a lifetime experience.
The tour price includes lunch, a helmet with headlamp and all the transportation for the day. You will leave early in the morning — the earlier the better. You then return late in the afternoon with time to shower, get your laundry done and enjoy a nice dinner in town.
Xunantunich
Although most of the tours that leave from San Ignacio are way too expensive for the average tramper, the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich are easily accessible by bus and the entrance fee is minimal ($5 USD versus the $20 USD). An added bonus is the excellent swimming spot found a short walk to the west of the ferry to Xunantunich.
GETTING // GOING: Xunantunich
San Ignacio >> San José Succotz (Xunantunich)
From San Ignacio, you take the Benque bus to San Jose Succotz. It’s a short trip and will cost $1.50BZE–the same price as going all the way to Benque. Ask the driver to drop you at the ferry–you will know your stop is coming up once you see the river on your right. You can also take a cab, and some will try to entice you by exagerrating the difficulty of the walk from the ferry to the ruins. It’s really not bad at all, especially once you get up the first hill, and is definitely not worth the extra cost unless you have a large group and it averages out to less than the cost of the bus (there and back, which most cabbies are willing to do–bargain hard, the buses leave often). Use your own judgement and remember that the dip in the river after your visit will be much more satisfying if you’ve conquered the hill on your own. To get back to San Ignacio, catch any bus headed in the direction you came from–the town is so close to San Ignacio the bus is sure to stop there.
EATING // DRINKING: Xunantunich
We stopped at the market in San Ignacio to pick up lunch supplies before we left for the ruins, and so didn’t try any of the food offerings in town. We did, however, take advantage of the supermarket on the main road to pick up some beers. The Belikins went for $3BZE a piece and were sufficiently cold.
Take me to MAP: SAN IGNACIO
Take me back to SAN IGNACIO // Take me back to BELIZE // Take me HOME