Cayo District
San Ignacio - (Population: 7,500 approximately)
San Ignacio sits on the banks of the Macal River, a branch of the
Belize River, 72 miles due west of Belize City, and 22 miles from
Belmopan. It is surrounded by hills, a town of entrancing beauty.
Its beginnings go back approximately 100 years. But to this day it
preserves a robust, pioneer atmosphere. The early settlers were mainly
Mestizo and Maya immigrants from neighbouring Guatemala and a few Lebanese
businessmen. The town has now embraced the former neighbouring village of
Santa Elena, linked by the Hawkesworth suspension bridge. Nine miles to
the west of the town lies Benque Viejo Del Carmen.
San Ignacio is the administrative centre of the Cayo District. It
boasts a secondary school, three elementary schools, three filling
stations, a government hospital, a cinema, small hotels, several clubs and
a piped water supply. Radiating around its central park is the police
station, public library and government offices.
Not far from San Ignacio are the Mayan centres of, Cahal Pech ("Place
of the Ticks") and Xunantunich ("Maiden of the Rock").
Benque Viejo Del Carmen - (Population: 3,100 approximately)
Benque Viejo Del Carmen is the town farthest west from Belize city (81
miles), a few hundred yards from the Guatemalan (Peten) frontier. Set on
the banks of the bubbling Mopan branch of the Belize River, the famous
Maya archaeological site of Xunantunich just a mile away.
The town is one of the best examples of well laid out municipal areas
in the country. It is also famous for its gardens and fruit. The inhabitants, mostly Spanish speaking, are descended mainly from
Guatemalan immigrants of the 19th century. The early history of the town
was marked by the drama and excitement of hectic episodes involving
banditry,. border raids and ribald living by hardy chicleros
(chicle-bleeders).
The town boasts two large elementary schools, a secondary school
government and Nazarine clinics, a public library, two filling stations
and piped water supply.
Benque Viejo Del Carmen is a charming Mestizo town with marimba bands,
fiestas and colourful social customs centered around baptism, marriage,
Christmas; the highly flavoured 'Spanish dishes' and serenades by night.
Tourist Attractions
Mountain Pine Ridge, Blue hole National Park, Chiquibul, Caracol Monument Reserve, Benqu Viejo del Carmen, Xuantunich, Guanacaste Park
Cites, Towns and Villages in Cayo
Belmopan, Roaring Creek, San Ignacio, Santa Elena
Hotels in Cayo
Banana Bank Lodge: This
Cayo getaway on the Belize River is just the ticket for adventurous
travellers looking for something different. Birds and wildlife abound on
this 4000 acres of jungle and ranch land.
Clarissa Falls Resort:
Simply nice and nicely simple; an inexpensive lodging
alternative. Situated on the bank of the Mopan River, just west of San
Ignacio, this operation is well run by a charming Belizean lady and boasts a
great restaurant, as well.
duPlooy's Jungle Lodge: A
"birder's" paradise, duPlooy's was one of the first jungle lodges in the
Cayo District. Situated above the Macal River, and close to San Ignacio, the
full range of Cayo activities is available here: Canoeing, trips to Maya
ruins, caves, etc.
Ek' Tun: Your Private
Jungle Paradise--an intimate, two cottage resort nestled in the jungle on
the bank of the Macal River, about ten miles west of San Ignacio. Beautiful
gardens and personalized service set this experience apart from the
others.
Five Sisters Lodge: This
Belizean-owned lodge in the Cayo District is a tranquil setting, and an
ideal location for exploring Caracol and the Mountain Pine Ridge area.
Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Adventure Co. & Jungle
Lodge: Your source for all of the
totally wild Belizean adventures you seek. Situated on the Caves Branch
River, south of Belmopan, Ian's provides rustic lodging and camping, dense
jungle, kayaking, caves and more caves.
Lodge at Chaa Creek:
Adventure Centre, Rainforest Reserve, and Spa. The first "jungle
lodge" in Belize, now offers a full-service resort, complete with spa and
conference center.
Mopan River Resort: Belize's first and only true
all-inclusive, luxury riverside resort, offers adventure with comfort and
luxury with value. Packages include lodging, transfers, meals & drinks,
and daily expeditions (including Tikal); bringing you the best of Cayo and
the region.
Pook's Hill Lodge: Situated on 300 acres of pristine
rainforest, bordering a nature reserve, this lodge is far from everything,
yet easy to get to. Located on the same site as an ancient Maya ruin, with
birds and wildlife in abundance, this is a great place to "get back to
nature."
Windy Hill Resort: This collection of cottages sits
on a hill just west of San Ignacio. Because they are also a tour operator,
here you are well positioned to explore all that Cayo has to
offer.
Restaurants in Cayo
Clarissa Falls Restaurant: A Belizean
restaurant that has often been mentioned in articles on Clarissa Falls
Resort. Now you can discover all the culinary delights of this Cayo District
eatery.
| Cheers - Bar
& grill with a tropical twist! Belizean &American
Specialties. Tamales, rice & beans, daily specials.
The best burgers in Belize! BBQ every weekends.
Full bar with A-Z mixed drinks, beer, wine, shooters
& shots. Drive on in to Mile 31 1/4 Western Highway,
Belmopan2 min from the Belize Zoo. Tel: 014-9311.
|
| Caladium Restaurant -
A small restaurant with a big heart! Belizean
& international food. Cowfoot Soup, Rice &
Beans, Serre, Soups. Air-conditioning. Take out
available. Open breakfast-dinner, 7:15am-8pm, Mon-Sat.
08-22754. www.caladium.50megs.com.
|
| Oasis Restaurant & Bar - Enjoy a mouth-watering meal in a natural
setting. Serving the best of Belizean cuisine &
tropical specialties with a twist! Daily specials.
Escabeche, Chirmole, Coconut Rice & more. Lunch
buffet offered on the Friday closest to the 15th of each
month. Come visit us, just off the Hummingbird Highway,
Rivera Area, Belmopan. Open 8-5. 08-23548.
|
| Rafflls Restaurant -
Tasty Belizean food at the best prices! Enjoy daily
rotating specials in a friendly environment. Open
Mon-Sat breakfast through dinner, 7am-8pm. 37 Forest
Drive, Belmopan. 08.23611. |
| Café Sol - A
great place to relax in a sunny atmosphere. Enjoy daily
breakfast & lunch specials. A variety of decadent
desserts, fresh-baked bread, & fantastic coffee.
Breakfast/Lunch: 7:00am to 2:30pm • Dinner
Thursday-Saturday, 6-9pm. West Street, San Ignacio.
|
| Erva's Restaurant -
Homemade style pizza, sea food, vegeterian dishes, and local
and international cuisine. Natural shakes and fresh squeezed
juices. 8am - 3pm and 6pm - 10pm • Mon. - Sat. Just 2 Blocks
away from Burns Ave. at 4 Far West Street, San Ignacio • Tel:
09-23014. |
| Eva's Restaurant -
The Original! Tourist Information. Email and
Internet Services. The same place all the
guidebooks are talking about! Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner. Packed Lunches. Burns Avenue, San Ignacio.
Tel: 092-2267 • evas@btl.net |
| Hannah's Restaurant -
Great Seafood - Lobster, Shrimp and Fish. Serving Lamb, Beef,
Chicken, Vegetarian Dishes and a variety of Indian Curries.
7:30am-3pm & 6:30pm-10pm Mon-Sat. 6:30pm-10pm Sun. 5
Burns Avenue, San Ignacio 09-23014 |
| Martha's Kitchen & Pizza House
- Fabulous Homestyle Pizza. International and
Local Cuisine. Delicious pastries & desserts.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Outdoor Cafe Dining.
7am-10pm. 10 West St., San Ignacio 09-23647
or 09-22732. |
| Maxim's Chinese Restaurant - Serving Chop Suey, Sweet & Sour, Curry, Fried
Rice, Egg Foo Yung, Kun-Pao, Chow Mein. Fried Chicken.
11am-3pm & 5:30pm-12 midnight. 23 Far West St. Just
2 blocks from the center of San Ignacio. Dine in or
carry out. 09-22283. |
| Pollito Dorado - Our
Specialties Include Steaks, Cordon Bleu, Kebabs, Spare Ribs,
Lobster, Fajitas, Quesadillas and a variety of Belizean &
Mexican Dishes. Excellent packed lunches. Upstairs at 8 Hudson
St., Next to San Ignacio Town Hall. 09-22019.
|
| Running W Steak House
~ Stork Club Bar & Grill - Indoor & Outdoor Dining.
Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Award
Winning. 7am-9pm. Stork Club - Only air conditioned Bar
& Grill in town. Friday Night Happy Hour, 6-8pm.
Saturday Ladies Night. San Ignacio Resort Hotel
09-22034. |
| La Vie En Rose -
The French Restaurant in Belize. Located at Green Heaven
Lodge (turnoff mile 70 1/2 Western Highway), La Vie En Rose
offers a wide variety of French specialties. Boeuf
Bourguignon, Quiche Lorraine, Filet Mignon with a delicious
wine sauce, Shrimp Pasta, Blue Cheese pasta, Flamed banana,
home made bread and much more are served at the restaurant or
around the swimming pool. Price range: from BZ$ 8 to 30
(one course). Tel: 0912034 E-mail:
ghlodge@btl.net. |
| Sanny's Grill -
Experience! The Distinctive Taste of Grilling. Italian Fish,
T-Bone Steak, Champagne Shrimp, Tangy & Spicy Pork
Chops. Prices anyone can afford. 4 blocks north of Benque Rd.
on 23rd St. in San Ignacio. 11am-2pm & 6pm-11pm.
092-2988. |
| Serendib Restaurant & Coffee
Shop - Its a Taste of Paradise! We specialize
in Sri Lankan Rice & Curry dishes, Vegetarian meals,
Seafood, and Steaks. Outdoor dining. Open l0am-3pm &
6pm-10pm. Open til 11pm Fri. & Sat. 27 Burns Ave,
09-22302. "Come Visit our Coffee Shop for the best icecream,
pastries, & cakes!" We're Open All Day.
|
| Aguada Hotel and Restaurant - Comfortable double beds, private hot/cold baths.
Fans, A/C available, swimming pool, restaurant and bar, tours,
email, Visa/MC Six blocks north of Western Hwy across
from Loma Luz in Santa Elena, 09-23609, aguada@btl.net,
www.belizex.com/aguada.htm |
| Map of Cayo District Belize Central America
 
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