Explore Cayo District

Travel west of Belize City and you'll come upon a slew of ancient Mayan sites, rolling hills, breathtaking sunsets, quiet butterfly gardens, and lush rainforests. San Ignacio, located in the Cayo District, is a tiny town with traditional gourmet specialities and reasonably priced lodgings. Begin your journey about 6 miles south of town to Xunantunich, an ancient Mayan ruin. The temple at Xunantunich, located along the Mopan River and less than a mile from the Guatemalan border, was once a major ceremonial center for the Mayans.

From there, take the George Price Highway (also known as the Western Highway) south for roughly 60 kilometers to the huge Caracol. Caracol, Belize's biggest Mayan ruin site, dates back to 1200 B.C. and once housed up to 120,000 people. The grounds comprise 30 square kilometers and feature five plazas, an observatory, and over 35,000 identifiable structures, but not all of them have been fully explored. The region is open 24 hours a day, however most of its attractions are only open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each one costs 10 to 15 Belize dollars (approximately $5 to $7.50).