| The
Cayo District
The Cayo District of Belize resides at the foothills of
the Maya Mountains, following the Belize River Valley. Picture
a beautiful place where the air is clear and the land is
astonishingly fertile, and you will see the largest and
arguably the most beautiful of Belize’s six districts.
Aside from being home to the nation’s capital, the Cayo
District is deep with history and educational endeavors.
The Spanish named the area “El Cayo” to describe the offshore
islands and the seclusion the early settlers felt, being
surrounded by the forest. This fitting illustration clearly
depicts the district, a breathtaking peninsula between two
converging blue rivers.
Hiking
There are many hiking trails through the Cayo District.
Trails can be found in Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks
and archeological sites throughout the area.
Some trails are through jungles of hardwood and soft tropical
foliage, and some are through caves, rivers, lakes, waterfalls,
villages and Mayan ruins. There are also knowledgeable and
experienced guides to show you many of the areas. Do not
forget to bring your comfortable hiking boots, comfortable
clothes, insect repellent and a camera. Some of the popular
places to hike include Mountain Pine Ridge, El Pilar, Blue
Hole National Park, Five Blues Lake National Park and Caracol.
Caving
Belize is a great location for caves because of its wet
climate and plentiful limestone. Many caves have Mayan archeological
importance, several of which are easy and safe to visit
such as Chechem Ha, Rio Frio, St. Herman's, Barton Creek
Cave and Actun Tunichil Muknal. All of these are in the
Cayo District.
Click here for more caving
photos
River-Running Activities... From daring
and challenging... to serene and peaceful
For an Adrenaline Rush... Try Rafting,
Canoeing, Kayaking & Tubing
The Cayo District offers some of the most exciting and challenging
rafting trips, of course while enjoying a spectacular view.
Check out the rafting trips offered by Slickrock Adventures
for information. Every week on Fridays, full-day trips are
offered to non-package visitors. Meet in San Ignacio where
you will drive through lush jungle and then raft through
a 20-mile stretch of the Macal River.
You’ll pass through maze-like channels, drop pools and big
waterfalls in class IV whitewater as you travel the small,
steep area. Even the worldly, expert guides will have chills
running down their spines. You will encounter striking wildlife
on your journey: tapirs, iguanas and river otters, to name
a few. Slickrock is the only outfitter in the country running
such adventurous trips. Be sure to contact them ahead of
time as these trips are not run year-round because the water
level drops during certain months.
Canoeing Along the Banks...
One of the Cayo District and Belize’s most popular and fulfilling
activities is canoeing through the lush rivers. This is
a unique form of sightseeing because you are able to witness
the wonders of nature. You can spot the ever-changing flora:
plants, trees, blossoms and vines thrive along the river
banks. Shy animals can be seen living within their own private
microcosms, including small underground burrows, sandy river
beds and leafy branches of tall hardwood trees. The natural
marvels of life you will experience are momentous. On certain
occasions it is so quiet that you can hear a fish jump for
a hovering mosquito, whereas other times you will hear the
dramatic roar of the howler monkey announcing its territory.
Keep your eyes and ears open throughout your journey as
you will not want to miss a thing. Many will agree this
is the greatest way to see the country. Along with the Macal
River, there is also the Mopan River, the Sibun River and
the Belize River for exciting excursions.
Macal
River
The Macal River of the Cayo District is one that goes through
the Mountain Pine Ridge and has one of the most diverse
habitats in the Central America area and Chiquibul rainforest.
The river houses many endangered species such as tapirs,
jaguars and numerous birds. At certain points the river
is fast and deep enough to be considered Class III through
V for whitewater rafting. One great stop along the river
is the Rainforest Medicine Trail, where you can learn about
the medicinal properties of the vegetation of the surrounding
areas. The western border of all of these properties is
on the Macal River.
Horseback Riding through the Jungle
You may regularly see horses around the Cayo District. The
horses in Belize are typically small, but strong. Within
the area there are many miles of magnificent trails having
views of some of the most exotic flora in Belize. Horseback
is a great way to see the country side.
Bird Watching
 There are
more than 500 species of birds that live in Belize year
round or visit Belize as part of their migration. Birds
from the north visit Belize during the winter months and
birds from the south visit Belize during the summer months.
The Cayo District is excellent for birding because of its
rich diversity of eco-systems containing forests, rivers,
savanna and jungle. Trips along the Macal or Mopan Rivers
are great for seeing waterfowl, such as herons, kingfishers
and swallows. Great opportunities for bird sighting can
be found right on the properties. Some of the national parks
such as Mountain Pine Ridge, make for great observations
also.
The Mayan
Ruins of Belize
Belize has the highest concentration of Mayan Ruins in the
World. With over 600 sites identified, several are close
to the properties. Ancient Mayans flourished from around
300 BC to 900 AD. Archaeologists estimate that 2,000,000
Mayans once lived in what is now Belize, which currently
has a population of about 250,000. They built cities, palaces
and pyramids with their own hands in the unwelcoming jungle.
Their sacred colors are red, blue, yellow and green. The
diverse species of tropical forests supplied the essentials.
The rivers provided fish and transportation and the limestone
formations provided building blocks. Over a span of nearly
2,000 years, the Mayans developed a cosmology, an arithmetic
system that included the concept of zero, a calendar system
based on a comprehension of astronomy and a system of writing
which included both hieroglyphics and phonetics.
The Mayan civilizations were rediscovered by explorers in
the 18th Century with more discovery still to come by archaeologists
today. In the Cayo District there is an abundance of Mayan
sites thoughout, such as Chechem Ha, Actun Tunichil Muknal,
Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Caracol and El Pilar.
San Ignacio
and Santa Elena
These towns are located on the Western Highway about 70
miles from Belize City. They have a feeling of old west
meets tropical forest. San Ignacio together with Santa Elena
make up the country's second largest urban area. These two
towns are separated by the Macal River and are connected
by the Hawksworth Bridge, built in 1949 and is still the
only suspension bridge in Belize. The main street is Burns
Avenue, which is full of people, shops and restaurants.
Saturdays are usually busy for the markets where vendors
come from the surrounding areas to sell fruits, vegetables
and other products. The town of San Ignacio has many of
the essential services such as gas stations, car rentals,
banking, grocery stores, post offices, health facilities,
pharmacies, police, email, fax and cash advance services.
There are many expeditions in and around San Ignacio such
as the Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech and rafting through the
Macal River. You can also stop at Mountain Pine Ridge when
going to Caracol. Then there is also the Mayan ruins of
Xunantunich or caving at Chechem Ha. Aside from Caving and
visiting Mayan ruins, other activities in the area include
hiking, bird watching, canoeing, kayaking and horseback
riding.
Belmopan
Belmopan is located approximately 48 miles southwest of
Belize City and 22 miles east of San Ignacio. It is the
Capital of Belize and has a population of only 7,000. Belmopan
is known as the "Garden City." The city was established
in 1965 and many government offices moved to Belmopan by
1970. The center of town is Independence Plaza. The Prime
Minister's office, administrative buildings and post office
are located in this plaza, as well as several embassies
and University of Belize's main campus is close by. Market
Square is next to the plaza and open most days of the week
selling all sorts of products and fruits. The Novelo bus
terminal is next to the market and the immigration office
is across the street. Belmopan is emerging as a center for
business. The town of Belmopan was incorporated in 2000
and since then there have been many positive improvements
for business, such as the restoration of the market. There
are more plans in the works.
The Belize
Zoo
 The natural habitat of the Belize
Zoo is just off mile marker 29 on the Western Highway on
the way to Belmopan. It boasts over 125 species of animals
indigenous to Belize on its 29 acres of savanna. The Belize
Zoo is probably the finest zoo in the Americas, south of
the U.S. The zoo originally opened in 1983 and is well-known
for its phenomenal conservation achievement. When you visit
this historic animal habitat you get the chance to see native
animals of Belize at close quarters, housed in spacious
enclosures identical to their natural environment.
The zoo’s theme, “a walk through Belize,” contains a trail
that takes you into the pine ridge, the forest edge, the
rainforest, the lagoons and the river forest. The most famous
inhabitant is a Baird’s tapir, April, locally known as a
mountain cow. All the native Belizean cats are represented,
included a rarer melanistic (black) jaguar. The existing
birds include toucans, macaws, parrots, jabiru storks, a
spectacled owl and several vultures. Additional spectacular
animals include deer, spider and howler monkeys, peccaries,
agouti (sometimes known as “gibnut” on menus), crocodiles
and snakes.
The Belize Zoo is open daily between 8:30AM - 5PM and costs
US$7.50 for adults and US$3.75 for children.
The Tropical
Education Center
The education center is across the highway from the Belize
Zoo (off the Western Highway at mile marker 29). As the
name suggests, there is a great focus on school, college
and tour guide training groups, however it is also open
to everyone who wishes to learn. There are self-guiding
nature trails, observation decks and a lagoon. In addition,
there are study facilities that include a classroom and
a well-equipped library, as well as comfortable dormitory
accommodations. For more information, contact: P.O. Box
1787, Belize City
Phone: 011-501-220-8004
Five
Blues Lake
Five Blues Lake is situated in St. Margaret's Village in
the Cayo District at the eastern boundary at mile 32 on
the Hummingbird Highway. It was established in 1992 and
consists of over 4,000 acres of tropical forest including
caves and exotic wildlife in magnificent karst terrain.
It is only a single lake, but is known as Five Blues Lake
because of the varying water depths around the lake and
the different limestone rock formations under water. The
water and rock reflect a different kind of blue or blue-green,
or sometimes a dark green, and at different times of the
day the blues change. The lake was formed from a collapsed
cave system known as a cenote or blue hole, which runs 200
feet deep over about 10 acres. Swimming is permitted and
there are hiking trails throughout. There is a visitor's
center with maps, picnic tables and bathrooms by the park
entrance.
The Guanacaste National Park
This spectacular national park is just off mile marker 47
on the north side of the Western Highway where it meets
the Hummingbird Highway and it is sponsored by the Belize
Audobon Society, MacArthur Foundation, World Wildlife Fund,
and the government. The park hours are 8AM until 4PM. The
Guanacaste National Park packs a lot in a mere 56 acres,
with its huge specimen of guanacaste or tubroos tree, ceiba,
cohune palms, mammee apple, mahogany, quamwood, and other
trees. Over 100 species of birds have been spotted in the
park as well as agouti, armadillo, coati, deer, iguana,
jaguarondi and kinkajou. The resident blue-crowned motmots
were among the rarer animals observed at Guanacaste. Hourly
tours start at 8:30AM to 3:30PM.
Do not forget to pack a bathing suit when
you tour the park. You may want to take a relaxing swim
where the Belize River and Roaring Creek meet. It will not
take much convincing to cool off at this breathtaking, quiet
spot. Not too far away is the famous old guanacaste tree,
over 25 feet in diameter and 100 plus years old. The spectacular
tree is home to more than 35 species of exotic flora, including
orchids, bromeliads, ferns, philodendrons and cacti. Just
past the tree, continue your journey on the trail and you
will encounter the shore of Roaring Creek, the westernmost
boundary of the park. Follow the trail and you will also
see birds, delicate ferns, flowers and long parades of wiwi
ants (clutters). Another hot spot to look for is steps that
lead down to the Belize River, to the right of the entrance.
The amate fig grows plentifully on the water’s edge; it
provides food for the howler monkey and, waiting patiently
in the water, the tuba fish.
Mountain
Pine Ridge
Mountain Pine Ridge is a 300 square mile forest reserve,
south of the Western Highway in the Cayo District. Some
of the features include the Hidden Valley Falls (1,000 Foot-Falls),
the Rio On River, the Rio On Pools, the Rio Frio Cave and
Nature Trail, and many waterfalls and streams. With its
karst limestone terrain, the area is great for hiking, caving,
biking and horseback riding.
To visit the reserve take Chiquibul Road from Georgeville
or take Cristo Rey Road from the Santa Elena. Mountain Pine
Ridge offers a scenic drive on the way to Caracol and the
Chiquibul Rain Forest.
Rio Frio
Cave
It is located less than a mile away from the Pine Forest
headquarters in Augustine and consists of nature trails
directing you to many smaller caves. There is a n amazing 65 foot
entrance to the Rio Frio Cave. There is a stream going through
the cave that forms pools and waterfalls and beach area
with gigantic boulders. From the entrance to the exit is
about a 1/4 mile. Do not forgot your flashlight. At the
end the Cave there is another trail leading to another cave,
Cuevas Gemelas. Laughing Jaw and a few other caves are also
in close proximity.
Click here for more photos of Rio
Frio
Rio On
Pools
A serious of adjoining pools made from large granite boulders,
connected by small waterfalls. Great place for swimming
and hiking.
Hidden Valley Falls
Also known as 1000 Foot Falls, is believed to be the highest
waterfall in Central America and is actually over 1,500
feet. There is a viewing platform that overlooks the falls
and a scenic trail with gorgeous views of the valley.
Blue
Hole National Park
Blue Hole National Park (the inland Blue Hole) is located
about twelve miles southeast of Belmopan on the Hummingbird
Highway. The park consists of 575 acres, full of forest
with an abundance of flora and fauna. The Blue Hole itself
is a sinkhole filled with water that is part of the underground
Caves Branch Creek tributary, which then disappears below
the surface as it flows to the Sibun River. The collapsed
karst sinkhole is about 25 feet deep and roughly 300 feet
in diameter with stunning turquoise water. The main enticements
are the underground streams, rivers, sinkholes and the underground
caves. There are also several great hiking trails within
the park with many exotic species of birds to see along
the way.
St. Herman's Cave
St. Herman's Cave is also within boundaries of the the Blue
Hole National Park and is about 500 meters from the Hummingbird
Highway. This cave was used by the Maya during the Classic
Period. Many archeological artifacts have been discovered
at the cave by the Department of Archaeology.
The largest entrance to the cave is located in a sinkhole
180 feet wide narrowing to 60 feet wide at the entrance.
You will find stone steps cut by Mayans covered by concrete
steps and a trail with markers in the cave. From the entrance
to the exit is approximately a 1/2 mile. You will see the
incredible cave formations as you climb over rocks and move
through water.
Barton
Creek Cave
Travel through a scenic Mennonite farm community to view
large, multicolored cave formations and Mayan artifacts.
You take a canoe through an underwater cave system thought
to be a used for Mayan burial purposes. The Cave goes for
approximately one mile from beginning to where it stops.
Tapir
Mountain Nature Reserve
Covers 6,741 acres, it is 360 feet above sea level, located
at the northern end Mountain Pine Ridge. The reserve was
created for research and preservation of genetic variety.
Caves Branch
Located about 13 miles south of Belmopan on the Hummingbird
Highway. You can take a guided tubing tour all day for about
seven miles in and out of this underground river cave system.
Float by stalagmites coming out of the water and stalactites
coming down from above. Then pass a subterranean waterfall.
This challenging attraction will also require some underground
hiking.
 Xunantunich
Pronounced Zoo-nan-two-nich and meaning "lord of war and
fertility," is a site about 325 square yards, and is located
near the western border, across from San Jose Succotz, about
eight miles west of San Ignacio in the Cayo District. The
most prominent pyramid, El Castillo, meaning the Castle,
is 130 feet above the main plaza and has panoramic views
of the Cayo District and Guatemala. Xunantunich is made
up of six major plazas and more than 25 temples and palaces.
To visit from San Ignacio take Benque Viejo Road to San
Jose Succotz. From there, a hand-cranked ferry will take
you across the Mopan River and then there is about a mile
walk to the entrance. The ruins are open daily from 8AM
to 4PM.
Caracol
 The Caracol Archaeological Reserve,
includes the Mayan ruin of Caracol, the largest Mayan site
in the country. This ancient city had much importance and
was large, advanced and hidden from the world by rain forest.
Caracol encompasses 30 square miles of high canopy tropical
rain forest, which is populated by various species of birds,
cats and howler monkeys. Caracol, meaning "the supremacy
of lord water," was re-found in 1938. The largest pyramid
in Caracol, "Canaa" meaning Sky Place, is 143 feet high,
making it the tallest man-made structure in Belize. Also
included are several pyramids, three plazas, an astronomical
observatory and many smaller buildings. Excavation and reconstruction
is ongoing and there is a new visitor's center with photographs
and diagrams of the site, as well as artifacts and a ceremonial
altar.
Caracol is located in the Chiquibul Rain Forest and is surrounded
by rich flora and fauna. The ruins of Caracol are located
in the Vaca Plateau of the Cayo District. Next to the ruins
is Caracol Camp, located at about Mile 46 of the Chiquibul
Road.
Click here for more photos of Caracol
El Pilar
A Mayan ruin site with several buildings 50 to 70 feet high,
with a central plaza having temples, palaces, housing, water
reservoirs and ball courts. Many buildings are in the beginning
of excavation. The site has five trails which display its
architecture, three archaeological trails and two natural
trails.
El Pilar is located seven miles past the Bullet Tree Falls.
To visit the site from San Ignacio, take the Bullet Tree
Road, cross the Mopan River bridge in Bullet Tree, an you
will then see signs for the picturesque El Pilar Road.
Cahal
Pech
 This Mayan ceremonial site
sits on a hill overlooking the town of San Ignacio. On two
acres there are 34 structures with temples and two separate
ball courts. The site was populated until 800 AD and means
"Place of the Ticks" because it was used as a cow pasture
in the 1950's.
Cahal Pech is open daily from 9AM to 4:30PM with a caretaker
to answer questions and give tours. A tour takes approximately
45 to 60 minutes. There is also a visitor's center with
artifacts and a model of the site, which is open from Monday
through Saturday. From San Ignacio, it is about a 20 minute
walk to the site, which is just off Buena Vista Road.
Click here for more photos of Cahal
Pech
Chechem
Ha
This site was used by the Maya to store grain and as a religious
center for performing ritualized ceremonies. The cave has
several levels with many artifacts, such as painted pottery.
You could hike about 25 minutes to the Macal River to find
Vaca Falls or you could swim at Chechem Hah Falls, which
is only about a five minute walk from the site's entrance.
The site is located at the Mile 8 turnoff on Hydro Dam Road
out of Benque Viejo. Drive into the Vaca plateau area and
then there is a 20 minute hike up the mountain side to the
entrance.
Actun
Tunichil Muknal
 This challenging cave requires
that you are in good physical condition. Discovered in 1989,
it is one of the newer attractions with a variety of many
Mayan artifacts. It is about an hour drive from San Ignacio,
and then a 45 minute hike through the Tapir Mountain Nature
Reserve and streams.
Click here for more photos of Actun
Tunichil Muknal
Ecological
Nature Trails
Take a stroll through the wild. Explore. See all sorts of
exotic and endangered species of flora and fauna. Belize
is full of eco-trails where you can see nature thrive in
pristine conditions.
Diving and the Atolls
 Within the Lighthouse Reef
Atoll lies the great Blue Hole, one of the most amazing
dive spots in the world. The Blue Hole is 1,000 feet wide
by 440 feet deep and just eight miles from the island of
Long Caye. It is the largest ocean sinkhole in the world
and the only one of its kind that can be clearly seen from
outer space. To the right is a picture of the Blue Hole.
The atolls are the epitome of the Belize diving experience.
They are far from shore and are basically wilderness existing
in pristine conditions. They are huge; each by itself is
about the size of Grand Cayman or Cozumel. Being farther
from land, they are bathed in the clearest water on a consistent
basis. Each atoll is distinctive.
The Turneffe Islands Atoll is the largest and closest to
shore. Sponges of every shape and color are intertwined
with Black Coral dominating the scenery with schools of
snapper, grunts, spadefish and jacks milling about. It is
also possible to encounter hundreds of groupers.
 Glover's Reef is not
the farthest atoll from shore but it is the farthest (70
miles) from Belize City. The scenery above and below the
sea is simply spectacular.
The Lighthouse Reef Atoll is Belize's dive Shangri-La. It
offers the best and most diverse marine life in the world.
It is the outermost of the three atolls (45 to 50 miles
east of Belize City) and is a universe of diving in itself.
Approximately three miles east of Long Caye, set at the
southern end of Lighthouse Reef, is the famous island known
as Half Moon Caye. This Belize Natural Monuments is preserved
and protected by the Belize Audubon Society, and home to
the only nesting site of the Red-Footed Booby Bird in Belize.
Half Moon Caye also has a 24-hour a day manned solar lighthouse.
 Although the Lighthouse
Reef Atoll is the farthest atoll from mainland Belize, it
is undoubtedly the richest and most diverse of the three
atolls of Belize. The Atoll has six cayes and more than
40 incredible dive sites. To the north of the island of
Long Caye there is a great diversity of corals, all in extremely
clear water. The visibility off Long Caye and throughout
Lighthouse Reef is spectacular and just west of the island
there are outstanding wall dive sites. Silver Caves, for
instance, is one of the best with its black coral, orange
sponges and marine life. There are also several shipwrecks
throughout the Atoll, with many believed to have lost pirate
treasures.
 What's more, the Belize
Barrier Reef has some of the best diving also. It is the
second largest in the world and the largest coral reef ecosystem
in this Hemisphere for its size. Aesthetically and ecologically,
its integrity is virtually unharmed. Forming a nearly continuous
fortification for 150 miles along the continental shelf
edge, the Belize Barrier Reef provides life and security
to all of Belize. The Belize Barrier Reef ecosystem has
remained pristine because the small, subsistence-level population
has not stressed it unduly, keeping it a diver's dream.
Snorkeling
 If you do not dive
and you want to enjoy the marine life, there is snorkeling,
which can be just as exhilarating as diving. Snorkel in
shallow water with brilliantly colored coral or over the
deep ocean waters beyond the reef and experience the finest
aquatic paradise in this hemisphere. Going at night is a
good way to see a variety of nocturnal sea creatures that
are entirely different than those seen during the day. Many
dive operators can arrange trips to the Belize Barrier Reef
and the atolls. By day, there is a plentiful variety of
marine life also. Just make sure you bring a bathing suit,
light cover clothing, towel, sunscreen and snorkeling equipment.
Windsurfing
The waters around Belize are great for windsurfing. Each
winter month can offer many days with winds that are more
than adequate to make for great windsurfing. The windy season
is generally October through March, whereas the calmer months
are generally July through September.
Sailing,
Kayaking and Canoeing
Fun for you and easier on the environment than using powered
boats, equipment can be rented from most dive operators
or hotels. Tours can be prearranged with local guides.
Fishing
Spin fishing, fly fishing and trolling may be experienced
throughout the year, and because of the abundance of game
fish it promises to be an excellent sport. If you're looking
for real excitement, check out big game fishing. Several
hotels offer deep sea fishing and the country has several
tournaments annually. Just outside the Lighthouse Reef Atoll
is some of the best deep sea game fishing in the Hemisphere.
The inlets, estuaries and deltas to the rivers are known
for their jacks, tarpon and snook. The lagoons and grass
flats are popular fishing grounds for bonefish and barracuda.
The coral reefs support snapper, jacks, grouper and barracuda.
Deep sea fishing offers large game such as sailfish, bonito,
pompano and marlin.
When in Belize you may wish to experience
the many other activities available on the mainland.
They include...
National
Parks
Belize has thousands of acres of beautiful protected areas,
from rainforests to marine and wildlife preserves.
Camping
This is a list of some campsites. Additionally some other
hotels and lodges not listed will usually allow camping...
Lagoon Campground, north of Corozal Town
Caribbean Campground, in Corozal Town
The Trek Stop, near San Ignacio, Cayo
Jungle Drift Lodge, Bermudian Landing
Cosmos, San Ignacio
Chaa Creek, San Ignacio
Mountain Equestrian Trails, Pine Ridge
Here are some park areas which allow camping. At some other
parks, camping is permitted with prior permission.
Cockscomb Preserve, Stann Creek
Community Baboon Sanctuary
Five Blues Lake, near Belmopan
Bocatura Bank, on the Sittee River
Douglas De Silva in the Pine Ridge |
As you follow the
road, it passes the old cemetery and will soon turn into
the Western Highway. If you are traveling to San Ignacio,
it will take around an hour and a half driving time. Be
cautious of speed bumps and pedestrian walkways on the highway
before and after Hattieville.
