Tours & Adventures

What You Need To Known About Belize

Belize Great Blue Hole
Actun Tunichil Muknal
Pacz Tours guide using a headlamp to illuminate the Crystal Maiden skeleton in the ATM Cave, Belize

Belize Tours & Adventures From San Ignacio (2025 Guide)

San Ignacio is Belize’s adventure capital — the place where rivers, caves, and ancient ruins meet. This small town in the Cayo District has long been the base camp for explorers, and today it’s the heart of Belize’s tourism.

At Pacz Tours, we’ve been guiding travelers here for over 25 years. We don’t just offer tours — we connect you to the landscapes, history, and people that make Belize unforgettable.

Whether it’s crawling through the chambers of ATM Cave, standing atop the temples of Tikal, or cooling off under jungle waterfalls, here’s everything you need to know about the best Belize adventures from San Ignacio.

11× Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award Winner 2024
Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards in 11 different years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024.

San Ignacio offers a unique mix of culture, history, and nature:

  • Gateway to the Maya World: Within two hours, you can reach the great cities of Caracol, Xunantunich, and even Guatemala’s Tikal.
  • Caves & Rivers Everywhere: Belize is famous for its limestone caves — many sacred to the Maya — and San Ignacio sits at the heart of it all.
  • A Real Belizean Town: From the bustling Saturday market to street food stands, San Ignacio lets you feel local life, not just resort life.
  • Adventure Hub: Most of Belize’s top tours launch from here — you can do a different adventure every day.

💡 Tip: Staying in San Ignacio means easier logistics — Pacz offers free hotel pickup in town.

Aerial view of San Ignacio showing the Belize River Valley, the Macal River, and the Hawkesworth Bridge in the distanceAerial view of San Ignacio showing the Belize River Valley, the Macal River, and the Hawkesworth Bridge in the distance
Aerial photo of San Ignacio overlooking the Belize River Valley, with the Macal River and iconic Hawkesworth Bridge.

🏆 Best Belize Adventure Tours (With Pacz Tours)

🏛️ ATM Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal)

This is the ultimate Belize adventure — swimming into a cave, hiking underground rivers, and standing in chambers filled with ancient Maya artifacts.

  • Experience: Thrilling, spiritual, unforgettable.
  • Difficulty: Challenging (hiking, swimming, climbing).
  • Why book: Access is only possible with a licensed guide.

👉 ATM Cave Tour Details

🏰 Caracol Maya Ruins

Tikal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest archaeological sites in the Americas.

  • Experience: Walk among ancient plazas, temples, and pyramids rising from the jungle.
  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
  • Why book: Cross-border logistics are simplest with a tour.

👉 Tikal Day Tour →

🌍 Tikal (Guatemala)

Tikal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest archaeological sites in the Americas.

  • Experience: Walk among ancient plazas, temples, and pyramids rising from the jungle.
  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
  • Why book: Cross-border logistics are simplest with a tour.

👉 Tikal Day Tour

🗿 Xunantunich & Cahal Pech

Two sites close to San Ignacio that tell different parts of the Maya story.

  • Xunantunich: Known for El Castillo, with views over Belize and Guatemala.
  • Cahal Pech: An atmospheric hilltop site with plazas and courtyards.
  • Experience: History meets scenery, easy day trip.
  • Options: Go on your own or book a guided tour with cultural context.

👉 Xunantunich & Cahal Pech Tours

🚣‍♂️ Cave Tubing & Zip Lining

Belize’s classic adventure — floating through limestone caves and soaring above the rainforest.

  • Experience: Family-friendly, fun, and a refreshing break on hot days.
  • Difficulty: Easy.
  • Why book: Transport, gear, and park fees included.

👉 Cave Tubing Tour

🌲 Mountain Pine Ridge & Waterfalls

A highland escape with cool pine forests, natural pools, and caves.

  • Experience: Swim at Rio on Pools, hike Big Rock Falls, and explore Rio Frio Cave.
  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
  • Why book: Remote area, best visited with experienced drivers.

👉 Mountain Pine Ridge Tour

🌟 Other Unique Adventures

  • Barton Creek Cave: Canoe through a Maya ceremonial cave.
  • Crystal Cave (Caves Branch): Harder, extreme adventure caving.
  • Chocolate Making: Hands-on cultural experience.
  • Jungle Pontoon Waterfall Cruise: Relaxed adventure combining rivers and swimming.

🧭 Self-Guided Adventures in San Ignacio

Not every adventure needs a tour. San Ignacio has great experiences you can explore on your own:

  • Cahal Pech Ruins: $10 BZD entry, walkable from town.
  • San Ignacio Market: Best on Saturdays — food, crafts, and local life.
  • Green Iguana Project: Learn about iguana conservation at the San Ignacio Hotel.
  • Street Food Tour: Try salbutes, pupusas, and tamales from local stalls.

💡 Tip: Combine these with guided tours for the full San Ignacio experience.

🔑 The Belize Adventure Experience

What makes adventure tours in Belize special isn’t just the places — it’s the way you experience them:

  • Adventure + History: Every cave, ruin, and river has a Maya story behind it.
  • Immersed in Nature: From howler monkeys to toucans, you’ll see wildlife in every direction.
  • Hands-On Exploration: You’re not just watching — you’re hiking, climbing, swimming, or paddling.
  • Personal Connections: Licensed Pacz guides like Oscar and Hugo share not only facts, but personal stories that bring Belize to life.

This mix of physical adventure, cultural depth, and natural immersion is why San Ignacio is unmatched for tours in Belize.

Pacz Tours guide and travelers standing in the river after an ATM Cave tour, looking up into the trees, early 2000s photo
Early 2000s photo of a Pacz Tours guide and travelers standing in the river after the ATM Cave tour, gazing into the forest canopy.

🤝 Why Choose Pacz Tours?

  • Small Groups (4–8 people): More attention, more flexibility.
  • Licensed Guides: With decades of experience in caves, ruins, and rivers.
  • Transparent Pricing: No hidden fees, no OTA markups.
  • Flexible Booking: Free reschedule with 24+ hours’ notice.
  • Pickup & Drop-Off: Free within San Ignacio, small fee for jungle lodges.

✨ Final Word

Belize is full of adventure, but San Ignacio is where it all comes together. From caves to ruins, rivers to markets, there’s something for every traveler.

With Pacz Tours, your adventure begins at your door — and connects you to the real Belize through landscapes, history, and people.

💬 Ready to book your adventure? Contact us or WhatsApp +501-39-1240 to reserve your tour.