Mountain Pine Ridge in Belize - Canoe trip

Mountains and rivers

After visiting Tikal many travellers head straight to the islands off the coast of Belize for a couple of days of sea and sand, but if you'd like to see more of the country's spectacular interior, then the Mountain Pine Ridge at San Ignacio is a great alternative.

You'll be staying in San Ignacio for two nights in a riverside lodge in idyllic surroundings: subtropical pine forests with mahogany trees, parrots, waterfalls and Mayan Ruins. You'll go on a canoe trip down the river with a local guide from San Ignacio, visit a traditional Mennonite village and a sacred Mayan cave. San Ignacio is a beautiful part of Belize only visited by very few tourists, and that's not a bad thing.

If you've got the time, this Mountain Pine Ridge in Belize module is a great way to take the sting out of the long bus ride to Tikal.

Duration	3 days / 2 nights Departs daily	Accommodation	Double room with ensuite facilities a/c. Comfort level 3 (see accommodation).
Price	£184 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes	Transportation, 2 nights accommodation San Ignacio, 6-hour canoe trip with local guide through Mountain Pine Reserve
Transport	Shuttlebus from Flores to San Ignacio and from San Ignacio to Belize City or vice versa	Excludes	Border fees (approx. £4),transfer San Ignacio - lodge, meals and other excursions

Day 1: Arrival San Ignacio

Coming from Flores, you'll be picked up very early in the morning for a 1½-hour transfer to the border at Mechlor de Mendez. Here you can exchange your Guatemalan quetzals for Belizean dollars, but make sure you get the correct exchange rate. You'll receive your exit stamp for Guatemala and 500m further on pass the Belize border, ready to continue on to San Ignacio.

As soon as you cross the border you enter another world. It's a weird experience; all of a sudden the people look more Caribbean with dark skin and afro hair. Belizeans speak Creole, a type of pidgin English. The houses look distinctly Caribbean too: wooden, pastel-coloured houses built on stilts, often with a large veranda and a couple of rocking chairs.

Mountain Pine Ridge in Belize - San Ignacio Cafe

Mountain Pine Ridge in Belize - Village accommodation

It's another hour to San Ignacio, a village with no more than 8000 inhabitants which proudly promotes itself with the slogan "the west is best". The village of San Ignacio has several outdoor cafes, internet, a cash machine, souvenir shops and a lively fruit and vegetable market. Everything's very close together and the atmosphere in San Ignacio is very safe and welcoming. Take a taxi from the centre to the hotel, on a hillside approx 15 mins walk from the centre.

The hotel cabañas are scattered around a large tropical garden. They have thatched roofs, a private veranda and all rooms, decorated in cheerful Caribbean style have private bathrooms and air-conditioning. In the evening you can lie back in your hammock and listen to the soothing sounds of nature around you.

Day 2: San Ignacio - canoe trip

On day two of your San Ignacio trip you'll be heading out onto the river on a canoe trip with an English-speaking local guide. Along the river lies the Barton Creek Mennonite settlement. You can catch a glimpse of their traditional way of life without modern-day technology. Further down the river you'll arrive at the entrance to the Barton Creek cave, an ancient Mayan site accessible only by canoe. The serenity and beauty of the cave give it a magical atmosphere. Lunch isn't included on the trip so bring some snacks with you from San Ignacio.

After visiting the caves it's nice to be back in the open air again so if there's enough time you can take a dip in the crystal clear waters. You'll return to the hotel in San ignacio around 2pm and you'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening to relax and spend as you like.

Mountain Pine Ridge in Belize - Take a break on the river

Mountain Pine Ridge in Belize - Don't worry, he's only sleeping

Day 3: San Ignacio - End of tour

It's an early start today as the minibus will pick you up at 7am for the 3-hour transfer from San Ignacio to Belize City. You'll be dropped off at the little harbour where, if you plan on travelling on to our Barefoot island Caye Caulker, you can catch one of the regular boats to the island. Tickets can be bought on the spot.

If you want to continue on to Chetumal on the Mexican border our local agent will give you instructions on how to get there. If you're travelling in the other direction, we'll arrange a transfer from San Ignacio to Flores, the base for visiting the greatest Mayan city in Latin America; Tikal. The exit fee for Belize is BZ$30, roughly £10. (More if you leave by air) This also marks the end of your Mountain Pine Ridge in Belize trip.

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