Other Area Attractions
Black Hole Drop
A rush like no other! Stretch your comfort zone as you rappel down into a jungle sink hole deep in the Rainforest. This expedition starts off with a vigorous hike into the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The edge of the Actun Loch Tunich sink hole is over 300 feet above the basin below and 200 feet above the rain-forest canopy that grows out from the sink hole basin. The sink hole is not actually black, however since you can't see the bottom from the start, this definitely adds an additional element of excitement.
Inland Blue Hole
The Inland Blue Hole is actually a sinkhole formed by the collapse of an underground river channel. The exposed section of the underground Cave Branch Creek tributary can be viewed for about 150 feet before it disappears again beneath the surface. A series of steps lead to a 25-foot deep pool and it's cool, turquoise waters, surrounded by dense forest, overhung with mosses, vines and ferns are the perfect spot for a cool and relaxing dip.
Located just off the Humming Bird Highway, the Inland Blue Hole makes for a great stop if you are traveling by road between Placencia or Hopkins and the lodge.
Belize Zoo
The Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center is located on 29 acres of tropical savanna and exhibits over 125 animals native to Belize. The Zoo was started in 1983 as a last ditch effort to provide a home for a collection of wild animals, which had been used in making documentary films about tropical forests. Shortly after the backyard "zoo" began, it was realized that Belizean visitors were unfamiliar with the wildlife which shared their country. This aspect has helped shape the Zoo into the dynamic wildlife education center it is today.
Located mid-way between the lodge, Belize International and Belize City, the Zoo makes for a convenient stop, when en route to / or leaving from the lodge (flight schedule permitting).
Zip-line Canopy Tours
Zip-lining has gained in popularity and is now offered in the Cayo District. This is a thrilling way for the adventurous visitor to soar through the jungle treetops high above the forest floor. The canopy tour involves traversing from one platform to another along steel cables suspended up to 80 feet above the forest floor. With this excursion you can combine zip-lining with Cave Tubing or Barton Creek Cave Canoeing.
Green Hills Butterfly Ranch
Watch the butterflies flutter amongst tropical plants in a sunken garden complete with a fish pond. This butterfly farm boasts the largest live butterfly collection in Belize. Along with the butterflies there is a botanical collection which includes passionflowers, cycads, heliconia and other plants that feed the butterflies. Open by appointment only. You can combine a visit to Green Hills Butterfly Ranch with Barton Creek Cave Canoeing, and a Zip-Line Canopy Tour
San Ignacio Saturday Market
Many of our guests take the opportunity to visit the local market. Saturday (early) is the best time and day to go, as it's the busiest market day and along with the wide variety of fruits and vegetables offered, there are also plenty of food vendors preparing fresh local fare such as, tacos, tamales, pupusas, along with homemade breads, cheeses and yogurts for you to sample. There are also plenty of hand-made crafts and gift items to inspect and a place that sells local medicinal and cooking herbs. Do all this while sharing a taste treat and mingling amongst the locals in the festive atmosphere of this bustling market place.
Ajaw Chocolate Experience
Chocolate originated in Central America and was so valuable that cacao beans were even used as currency by ancient indigenous people. Lean how chocolate was done the old-fashioned way and take part in roasting cacao beans over a wood fire, grinding on a matate and mixing until you have 100% pure chocolate. Try a taste and even take some home.
The Iguana Conservation Project
Located at the San Ignacio Hotel. Here you will have the opportunity to take a closer look at these descendants of dinosaurs and learn how vital they are to the ecological balance of the Macal River Eco-system. This hands-on tour is both fun and educational and takes about an hour to complete.
Cahal Pech
Located on the highest hill overlooking San Ignacio is where to find Cahal Pech, a partially excavated Maya archaeological site. From town its about a 15 minute up-hill walk to the site. Here you will find a visitors' center which contain artifacts and a reconstructed model of the site. The site centre consists of 34 structures compacted into an area covering slightly more than 2 acres. One of the nicest features is the bird-life and abundance of shade trees.