Belize Guide
Cayo and the west
Heading along the Western Highway from Belize City to the Guatemalan border, 130km away, you trade the heat and humidity of the low-lying city for a range of varied landscapes, from pine savannah and river valleys to rolling hills and tropical forest. Belmopan lies a short distance south of Guanacaste National Park; established in 1970, it is still the smallest national capital city in the world.
West of Belmopan, following the Belize River valley, the road skirts the lush foothills of the Maya Mountains, a beautiful area with clear air and astonishingly fertile land. You're now nearing the heart of Cayo District, the largest of Belize's six districts and arguably the most beautiful – a sentiment enthusiastically endorsed by the inhabitants when they declare "The west is the best." It's certainly one of the greenest: most of southern and western Cayo, including the entire mountain range, is under official protection as part of a vast network of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and forest and archeological reserves stretching from the Caribbean coast to the Guatemalan border. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, to the south of the highway, is a pleasantly cool region of hills, pine woods and waterfalls.
The ideal base for exploring the forests, rivers and ruins of western Belize is the busy main town of San Ignacio, on the Macal River just 15km from the Guatemalan border. South of San Ignacio, deep in the jungle of the Vaca Plateau, lies Caracol, the largest Maya site in Belize. Belize's westernmost Maya site, El Pilar, 18km northwest of San Ignacio, actually extends into Guatemala, and is the first international archaeological reserve anywhere in the Maya region. A few kilometres before the border itself, at the village of San José Succotz, an ancient ferry crosses the Mopan River to bring visitors to Xunantunich, a hilltop Maya site whose highest structures offer stunning views into Guatemala's department of Petén.
Highlights
1 Actun Tunichil Muknal Hike across rivers and through jungle before descending into an astonishing cave that was, for the Maya, the underworld and abode of the Lords of Death.
2 Green Hills Butterfly Ranch and Botanical Collections Relax surrounded by clouds of colourful butterflies in this fascinating and informative botanical garden.
3 The Macal River Observe iguanas in the trees and watch the scenery slide by as you take a tranquil float along this gentle, jungle river.
4 Caracol The greatest Maya city in Belize, where you can ascend Caana, a 1200-year-old palace and temple complex that's still one of the tallest buildings in the country.
5 San Ignacio Stay in a comfortable, affordable hotel and choose from dozens of adventure trips in this charming town, still full of colonial buildings.
6 Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve Escape the jungle's humidity to the cooler air of the pine forest and its many clear streams and waterfalls.