The town of San Ignacio, located in western Belize, makes an excellent base for sampling the regions attractions; the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, Cahal Pech and Caracol and the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve.

Cahal Pech

This small Mayan site is only a short walk from the town of San Ignacio but is well worth exploring. Cahal Pech served as a hill top residence of a Royal Mayan family.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich, meaning 'Stone Maiden', flourished as a ceremonial center during the Classic period. Three plazas, numerous temples and a ball court formed the heart of this city.
The spectacular view of the surrounding jungle from the top of the largest structure in the complex, El Castillo 130 ft high, will be the highlight of the visit.

Caracol

The Mayan ruins of Caracol are located deep in the Chiquibul rain forest. Caracol is the largest known and also most spectacular Mayan site in Belize.

Founded in 300 BC, its reign continued well into the late Classic Period.
At its height Caracol totaled 200.000 inhabitants, almost the same number as Belize today.

The site covers 1.5 square miles and includes 5 central plazas, 32 large structures and 12 smaller ones. The Sky Palace (Caana) at 138 ft is the tallest manmade structure in Belize.

Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve

This 800 square kilometer nature reserve, located in the northwestern part of the Maya Mountains, harbors an exceptional ecosystem.
Driving through the reserve you will witness first hand how fast the landscape changes from dense jungle into savanna and vice versa.
Well worth visiting are the Hidden Valley Falls, over 1000 ft high considered to be the highest waterfall in Central America, and the Rio Frio Cave, used by the Mayans as a ceremonial center.