San Ignacio (also called Cayo) is the main town in western Belize and the base for exploring the interior. It sits on the Macal River near the Guatemalan border, and the surrounding area packs in Maya ruins, jungle caves, waterfalls, and wildlife into a compact area.
The town itself is lively and unpretentious — the Saturday market brings vendors from surrounding Maya and Mennonite communities, and there are good restaurants, guesthouses at all price levels, and plenty of tour operators on Burns Avenue. The Hawkesworth Bridge — Belize's first suspension bridge — crosses the Macal to Santa Elena. It's one of the most pleasant places in Belize to base yourself for several days.
The Maya site of Cahal Pech sits on a hill on the edge of town and is reachable on foot. The major day trips start a short drive out: Xunantunich — a large Maya site with a 40-metre pyramid and panoramic views — is 12 km away, reached by a hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River. Caracol, deeper in the Chiquibul jungle, is a longer trip but one of the most impressive Maya sites in the region.
Actun Tunichil Muknal requires a tour with a licensed guide — it's a jungle hike, river swim, and cave exploration, with Maya skeletal remains and ceramics still in situ. It's one of the most memorable experiences in Belize, though increasingly popular; book ahead. The Macal and Mopan rivers offer tubing, kayaking, and canoeing — multi-day river trips are available. The Belize Botanic Gardens at duPlooy's downstream make a slower-paced afternoon.
La Loma Luz Hospital in Santa Elena (across the bridge from San Ignacio) is one of the two best private hospitals in Belize.