San Ignacio Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best San Ignacio tours and things to do in Belize’s jungle heartland: climb the Xunantunich Maya ruins, venture into the sacred ATM cave past ancient skeletons, float through crystal caves on a tube, zipline over the rainforest canopy, and day-trip to the mighty temples of Tikal in Guatemala. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore San Ignacio by interest
Whatever brings you to San Ignacio — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in San Ignacio
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Xunantunich
Maya temple.
ATM Cave
Sacred cave.
Cave Tubing
River caves.
Tikal
Guatemala temples.
Jungle Zipline
Canopy flights.
Caracol
Largest Maya site.
Macal River
Canoe & wildlife.
Belize Jungle
Rainforest.
30 min awayXunantunich
Maya temple.
1 hr awayATM Cave
Sacred cave.
Region awayCave Tubing
River caves.
2 hrs awayTikal
Guatemala temples.
Full day awayCaracol
Largest Maya site.
Region awayMacal River
Canoe & wildlife.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every San Ignacio visitor asks before booking.
Dry (Dec–Apr)
The best season — drier trails and open caves.
Green (May–Jun)
Warm with the first rains and lush jungle.
Wet (Jul–Nov)
Rainier; some caves may close after storms.
For ruins
Any dry day for climbing the temples.
For caves
The dry season for safe water levels.
Best overall
December to April for the driest weather.
One day
Xunantunich and cave tubing.
Two days
Add the ATM cave.
Three days
Add a Tikal or Caracol day trip.
For ruins
Xunantunich, Caracol and Tikal.
For caves
The ATM cave and cave tubing.
For nature
A canoe on the Macal River.
On foot
The town centre and market are walkable.
Tours & transfers
Tours reach the ruins, caves and Tikal.
By car
A car helps for the jungle sites.
By canoe
The Macal River runs beside the town.
Where to stay
Stay in town or a jungle lodge nearby.
Belize dollar
Belize uses its dollar; US dollars are accepted.
Xunantunich
Climb El Castillo for jungle views.
ATM cave
Wear shoes you can swim in; no cameras allowed.
Cave tubing
Great for families and non-swimmers.
Tikal
Bring your passport for the border crossing.
Jungle gear
Bring insect repellent and sturdy shoes.
Wildlife
Listen for howler monkeys in the trees.
ATM cave tours
Numbers are capped — book well ahead.
Ruins tours
Xunantunich tours fill up — reserve early.
Tikal trips
Day trips fill up — book ahead.
Cave tubing
Tubing tours fill up — reserve early.
Caracol trips
Full-day tours fill up — book ahead.
Dry season
December to April is busiest — book well ahead.
Xunantunich tour
Around $62–90 for a Xunantunich tour.
ATM cave tour
About $84–120 for an ATM cave tour.
Cave tubing
Roughly $75–110 for a cave tubing tour.
Tikal trip
Around $88–160 for a Tikal day trip.
Caracol trip
About $120–180 for a Caracol tour.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
San Ignacio through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Ruins & caves.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak.
- Best for
- Adventure.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Dry.
- Best for
- Lush jungle.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Warm.
- Best for
- Fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Rainy.