Top San Ignacio Cultural & Theme Tours

Visit the incredible ancient city of Tikal on this day trip from San Ignacio. Once a powerful city center during the Mayan period, today Tikal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws scores of visitors each year. Your professional guide takes you across the border into Tikal National Park in Guatemala, and leads you on a fascinating tour of the archaeological complex. Round-trip transport from your San Ignacio hotel and all park fees are included.

Explore the dominion of the ancient Maya in Belize on a full-day tour from San Ignacio. Climb to the top of sacred pyramids and learn about the once-mighty civilization at the archaeological site of Xunantunich, and enter a portal to the Mayan underworld on a cave tubing adventure that takes you splashing through the crystalline caverns of an underground cave system. Get a taste of Belizean culture in the modern Mayan village of San Jose Succotz. Round-trip transport from San Ignacio Town and lunch are included on this tour.

Tikal is an ancient ruin called Yax Mutal. It is one of the largest archaeological sites located 19 miles north of Lake Petén Itza in the Northern Region of El Petén, Guatemala. Tikal forms part of Guatemala's Tikal National Park which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.The Tikal Tour takes you back in time where you get to observe and experience the architectural features of the ruins and learn about the daily lives and practices of the Mayans. MINIMUM 2 persons

Explore the ancient Maya city of Caracol with a full-day tour from San Ignacio that includes the Río On pools and the Río Frio caves. Follow your guide through the vast archaeological site, stand in the field of the ball court, and take in sweeping views of the jungle from the peak of the sky temple pyramid. Follow the history of Caracol in the glyphs, stelae, and carvings throughout the site, and then finish your day swimming in natural pools and visiting a vast limestone cave system in Pine Ridge.

Climb one of Belize's tallest temples and learn the history of the ancient Mayan civilization on a tour of Xunantunich, a hilltop archaeological site near San Ignacio. After walking among the ruins of ball courts and royal palaces, head to a tucked-away forest reserve for a jungle pontoon cruise. It's an eco-friendly way to explore the Belizean rain forest, complete with waterfalls, tubing, and cliff jumping for the adventurous. 

Visit Central America's most legendary ancient Mayan site on a private day trip to Tikal, located across the border from Belize in Guatemala. Get help crossing the border for a stress-free entrance to the archaeological site, and spend the day exploring the mighty and mysterious ruins of temples, plazas, royal apartments, and more with a guide. Look for wildlife like howler monkeys and toucans while trekking through the rainforests that surround the UNESCO-listed site, and recharge with included lunch at a restaurant inside the park.

Step back in time to the powerful peak of the ancient Mayan civilization with this guided 3-hour tour of the Xunantunich ruins. Let your imagination run wild as you explore the temples, plazas, and royal palaces of the famed archaeological site by foot. From the top of the imposing El Castillo pyramid, take in panoramic views of the surrounding Belize River Valley and the ancient city below. Round-trip transport from your San Ignacio hotel is included.

The Barton Creek Tour is one of the most relaxing canoe experiences where you will travel inside an ancient waterway canopied by cathedral ceilings as you observe numerous formations of stalagmites and stalactites. This tour is a half day tour and can be schedule at a time convenient to the guests (depending on the amount of persons booking the tour).Usual tour schedule for Barton Creek Tour: 8:30am 1:00pm

Awaken your inner archaeologist as you explore the sprawling Mayan ruins of Caracol. Departing from San Ignacio, you’ll journey deep into the jungles of Belize to the Chiquibul Forest Reserve — home to one of the largest Mayan sites in the country. Your expert guide will illuminate the fascinating history of Caracol, which was once a mighty city and a rival of neighboring Tikal in Guatemala. Explore magnificent plazas, temples, palaces, and an observatory while learning about the social and religious practices of the ancient Mayans. Round-trip transport from your San Ignacio hotel is included on this full-day tour.

Discover the ancient Maya city of Caracol on a full-day private tour from San Ignacio with an optional visit to the Rio On pools. Explore the sprawling complex at your own pace as you explore with a local guide, and learn the history of this site through the glyphs, stelae and ceremonial carvings that are scattered throughout the ruined political center. Watch for wild turkeys and howler monkeys among the stones, and take in sweeping views of the jungle from the towering sky palace pyramid before returning to San Ignacio.

Uncover the ancient mysteries of archaeological sites, Xunantunich and Cahal Pech, on an enriching tour from San Ignacio.  Alongside a knowledgeable guide, travel deep into the rural density of the Belizean jungle to discover magnificent Mayan structures and exotic flora and fauna. At Xunantunich, gaze at spectacular views of the lush forest from El Castillo, Belize’s second highest man-made structure, and marvel at the intriguing limestone structures of Cahal Pech. Gain fascinating insight into the history and culture of the Maya empire from your expert guide on this educational tour. Round-trip transport to San Ignacio Town and lunch are included on this tour. 

This guided tour takes you into the jungles of Belize to explore the Lamanai ruins, the site of an ancient Maya city. Begin your journey with a scenic cruise down the New River to reach the entrance to the archaeological site, and then explore the excavated temples, plazas, and royal palaces with your guide.

Discover highlights of Belize’s western Cayo District on a full-day combo adventure, beginning with a horseback ride through lush jungle and riverside trails. Follow in the footsteps of ancient Mayan royalty and climb to the top of a giant sacred pyramid at the Xunantunich archaeological site, and taste local flavor with a typical Belizean lunch. Finish on a sweet note with a chocolate-making tour where you'll learn to grind raw cacao beans and transform them into silky, decadent chocolate.

Explore Guatemala’s most stunning Maya city on a full day trip from San Ignacio with lunch at a nearby restaurant. Travel back in time as you follow your guide through the remarkable ceremonial center, where weathered stelae, sweeping plazas and imposing temples tell dramatic stories about this ancient civilization. Spot wild turkeys, monkeys and tropical birds within the ruins, and stop to browse Maya crafts and souvenirs at a nearby shop before returning to Belize—don’t forget your passport.

Explore Belize’s ancient Mayan roots and captivating natural wonders on this combo tour from San Ignacio. First, channel your inner archaeologist with a guided visit to the hilltop ruins of Xunantunich, a once-mighty Mayan city. Later, hike through the jungle to reach the mouth of an underground cave network, where you’ll float through mysterious, glittering caverns on an inner tube.

Visit the ruins of a mighty Mayan city on a guided tour of the Xunantunich archaeological site near San Ignacio. Cross the Mopan River on a traditional hand-canked ferry, and then ascend to the hilltop complex featuring the remnants of plazas, royal quaters, ball courts, and the imposing El Castillo temple — the second tallest in Belize. Climb to the top of the great pyramid for views that stretch into Guatemala, and learn about the fascinating ancient Mayan civilization from a guide.

Add an extra dose of adventure to a tour of Belize’s Xunantunich ruins by reaching the ancient Mayan city on horseback. Starting at a ranch near San Ignacio, ride through a shaded jungle landscape before crossing the Mopan River and arriving at the hilltop archaeological site. Learn about ancient Mayan culture and rituals while exploring the ruins of palaces, ball courts, and one of Belize’s largest ceremonial temples. An authentic Belizean lunch at a local restaurant helps you recharge before the return horseback ride.

Journey to the realm of the ancient Mayan civilization on a day trip to Caracol, Belize’s largest ruins. Feel like an archaeologist as you explore excavated plazas, palaces, and ceremonial temples that rise out of the jungle. On the way back to San Ignacio, travel through the starkly different Mountain Pine Ridge landscape, stopping for a refreshing soak in the Rio On pool and a homemade Belizean lunch.

Walk in the footsteps of Mayan royalty at Belize’s magnificent Altun Ha ruins on this day trip from San Ignacio. A professional guide will lead you through the archaeological remnants of this ancient city, which was an important center of trade and religion during the Classic Mayan period. Among the complex of more than 500 excavated structures, you’ll visit grand plazas and ceremonial temples, including the discovery site of a famous carved jade figure of the Mayan sun god Kinich Ahau. Round-trip hotel transport is included. 

Explore Belize’s most remote and yet most rewarding Mayan ruins on a full-day trip to Lamanai, an archaeological site tucked deep in the jungle that can only be reached by boat. Look for crocodiles, monkeys, and tropical birds on a cruise along the New River, and then watch the ruins of sacred temples emerge above the treetops. Learn the stories behind plazas, ball courts, and ceremonial pyramids on a guided tour of the site, refueling for your adventure with lunch under a shady pavilion before returning to civilization.

Combine three experiences in one day during this comprehensive excursion ideal for travelers on a time budget. See more of the region than you could alone—including a stop at the Xunantich archaeological site for a tour from a local guide—without the hassle of arranging your own transport. Then, sample several typical Belizean foods and learn to make chocolate the Mayan way.

Follow the footsteps of the ancient Maya on a full-day trip to Caracol from San Ignacio, and go deep into the jungle to discover a remarkable archeological site. Watch for bright tropical birds and howler monkeys as you explore the sprawling ruined city, and take in views of rolling forest canopy from the top of the Caana pyramid. Trace the history of the site in a vivid series of carved stelae and stone altars, then visit a natural swimming pool in the Mountain Pine Ridge before returning to the city.

Journey through the beautiful Belizean rain forest on horseback to reach one of the country’s lesser-known Mayan caves. Ideal for active travelers, this combo adventure offers plenty of time on a horse, plus a guided hike through the jungle along a sacred Mayan trail. Inside Che Chem Ha Cave, get an amazingly close look at intact ancient pottery and other artifacts while learning the legends of the Mayan people.

Barton Creek Cave is a stream cave located near San Ignacio in the Cayo District. It was used by ancient Mayan people for ceremonial purposes and it was discovered in 1970 and studied by archeologists in 1998. As you enter Barton creek, you will enjoy the scenery of the Mennonite Community and their traditional lifestyle. During the tour you will see sparkling crystal formation and learn about the Mayan history, archaeology and geology. The tour consists of exploring 1 mile of the massive 4.5 long cave which is yet to be discovered. Our next stop is the Butterfly Farm which is located in Western Belize, it is rich in wildlife and vegetation and holds the largest live butterfly display in Belize. Guests can enjoy bird watching or learn about the different species of plants and animals. The day ends with a picnic lunch or souvenir shopping. MINIMUM 2 person