Belize it!!

Tara Larkai
Oct 16, 2016
3 min read

We woke to nature sounds the next morning. I felt refreshed and ready to take on the day. After a short pool flow and breakfast, we checked out of our jungle oasis and headed towards Caracol, the largest Mayan ruins in Belize.

The drive to Caracol was more than painful. Coming from Belmopan, the roads are worse than if you were coming from San Ignacio (We learned that after the fact). Not only were the roads not paved but they were covered with rocks, sharp rocks at that. If you must drive there, you definitely need an SUV and make sure you get tire and windshield insurance because those rocks could easily damage your tires and windshield. It took us about 3 hours to get there on those awful roads. The roads did get better as we got closer though. It looks as though they started repairing the roads from Caracol and gave up a few miles afterwards. Lol We stopped at Rio on Pools before getting to Caracol ruins. There are other attractions on the way including a beautiful waterfall if time is on your side, the locals say it’s worth it.

We paid 10 BD to enter the ruins. We got there around 12:30pm and we were told we had to be out of there by 2pm. No pressure right? Lol Well, we were able to see the entire site and climb to the top of the largest structure within an hour and half. Obviously, it would take longer if you took your time to explore everything. The view up top is definitely one for the books. Caracol is on the border of Guatemala and Belize so there is a strong military presence on site. It is quite an astounding site to see nevertheless.

We picked up a hitchhiker on our way back heading the same direction as us, San Ignacio. The locals do warn against picking up hitchhikers because some of them are fugitives. But the one we picked up was in uniform so we felt safe. The drive to San Ignacio was much better and shorter. After dropping off our new friend, we had dinner at one of the best restaurants in San Ignacio, The Catch! They have the best ceviche, fish, lobster and everything.

Comatose was an understatement after this meal. After a much needed nap at our hotel Windy Hill, we headed to the club at the Casino, the only happening spot in San Ignacio on Sundays. It was a very relaxed atmosphere. You can get away with wearing jeans and flip flops. The music was a mixture of Soca, Reggaeton and afrobeats. The club was not packed but it was definitely turnt with everyone on the dance floor twerking. We had so much fun! It certainly made up for the previous night. Just like Americans gather at IHOP & waffle house after the club, Belizeans gather at a small Burrito food cart right outside the Casino. This was probably the best Burritos I have ever had in my entire life and it was pork. I don’t even eat pork on a regular. It was a great snack to end the night.

Next on our adventure list was Xunatunich ruins located near san Ignacio, right on the border too. We headed there after having breakfast at the famous Ka’ana hotel. After a short 20-minute drive and a ride on the hand cranked ferry, we were at Xunatunich. I was pretty sore after climbing Caracol so I would advise against doing these ruins back to back. We had to endure a hilly hike up before getting to the ruins. We did take up the challenge of climbing to the top of the tallest one. After all, it does offer incredible views of Guatemala and Belize. It took all of my reserved energy but I did it once again. Xunatunich is one of the most visited because it is close to San Ignacio so of course we did not have the place to ourselves like Caracol. The views were just as spectacular as imagined. I am glad we got to see both as they both offer different stories of the Mayans.

Our time in San Ignacio was over and it was time for our beach relaxation in Hopkins but not before a little cave tubing.