San Ignacio town itself is small and walkable — Burns Avenue, the market, the bridge, and most hotels are within a ten-minute stroll. To reach the surrounding attractions you have three options.
Taxis are the easiest move for shorter day trips like Xunantunich or Cahal Pech. Rates are negotiated; budget US$25-40 each way for nearby Maya sites, with the driver often willing to wait while you visit. Tour operators on Burns Avenue handle ATM Cave and Caracol almost exclusively — those trips are not really doable independently because of permits and road conditions. Renting a car is straightforward in Belize City or Belmopan and gives the most flexibility, particularly for the Mountain Pine Ridge area; insurance is essential given rough back-roads.