About San Ignacio
San Ignacio is located along the western high way about 70 miles west, a 90 minutes drive from Belize City. The Cayo District is 2,061 sq. miles, and with a density of about 19 persons per sq. mile. It's a friendly area where tourists are welcomed. English and Spanish are the main languages. The small town atmosphere is pleasant for visitors from all over the world. San Ignacio and Santa Elena are locally known to many as Cayo. They are known as the Twin Towns, both making up Belize’s second largest urban area, are separated by the Macal River and Belize's only suspension bridge the Hawksworth Bridge which was built in 1949. Together San Ignacio and Santa Elena have a population of about 20,000. The main street in San Ignacio is Burns Avenue in the heart of the town and from there you can begin your adventure into Cayo. Burns avenue and the surrounding streets are filled with shops and hotels and other businesses.
The Cayo district is known for its wonderful hills and mountains, for the great view and the tranquility of a wonderful paradise. The Mountain Pine Ridge preserve is home to many tourist destinations such as The Thousand Foot Waterfalls and Caracol which is the largest Maya site in all of Belize. The Mopan and Macal rivers join to form the Belize River at an area called Branch Mouth which is a quite lovely 20 minute walk from downtown San Ignacio.
Many Mayan Ruin sites dot the countryside. Inside the town limits of San Ignacio is the major Maya ruin of Cahal Pech, 10 miles to the west is the ruin, currently under excavation, of El Pillar, south into the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve is Caracol (the largest Maya structure) and one mile from the Village of Succotz is the popular ancient astronomical observatory of Xunantunich and hundreds of minor Mayan structures are scattered around the area. The Maya site of Tikal in Guatemala is easily accessible from this area with a day trip. Tikal is the premier site of all the Maya ruins.
The Western Highway is the main artery of transportation in the Cayo District. Belmopan is only thirty minutes to the east. The market is open 7 days a week with Saturday having the largest number of vendors. Fresh fruits and vegetables are available on a consistent basis, together with seasonal and wild produce making the market here a very healthy place to shop. Come and enjoy the Cayo experience. It is a wonderful place to live