Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Maximum Adventures
27 Burns Ave
T
623 4880,
W
sanignaciobelizetours.com.
Mayawalk Adventures
19 Burns Ave
T
610 1129,
W
mayawalk.com.
Pacz Tours
30 Burns Ave
T
824 0536,
W
pacztours.net.
River Rat Expeditions
Benque del Viejo
T
628 6033,
W
riverratexpeditions.com.
ACCOMMODATION
For travellers dependent on public transport, or who'd simply prefer to be based in a town they can walk around, San
Ignacio offers an ideal selection of
hotels
and
hostels
to suit all budgets. Bear in mind, though, that plenty of exciting
alternatives lie hidden away in the rainforest nearby, particularly the wonderful and relatively affordable jungle lodges
along the Cristo Rey Road (see p.125) and the Chial Road (see p.146).
Bella's Backpackers
4 Galves St
T
824 2248 or
T
671
2248,
E
bellashostel.belize@yahoo.com.
San Ignacio's
only true hostel offers bunk beds in dorms and a few
private rooms, plus a communal kitchen and several
common areas i
in which
to rel
ax. Tou
rs and trips can be
arranged. Dorms
US$10
, rooms
US$23
Cahal Pech Village
Resort
Cahal Pech Hill
T
824
3740,
W
cahalpech.com.
Located across from the
eponymous Maya site, enjoying spectacular views 1.2
miles up from San Ignacio, this well-designed hotel has
spacious private rooms and comfortable thatched
cabañas
.
Each is named after a Maya site, decorated with
Guatemalan textiles and local hardwoods, and has a
private bathroom;
cabañas
have wooden decks with
ham
mocks. Th
ere's also a decent restaurant and multi-level
pool.
US$107
Casa Blanca
10 Burns Ave
T
824 2080,
W
casablancaguesthouse.com.
Very popular central
hotel with immaculate en-suite rooms, and a locked
gate at the street entrance. All have private bath and
cable TV, some also have a/c, and there's a comfortable
sitting area with fridge, coffee and tea. Booking
advisable. The
Mallorca Hotel
next door is run
by the
sa
me fami
ly and is almost identical. Fan-cooled
US$30
,
a/c
US$50
★
and sleepi
ng up
to four. Camping per person
US$5
,
cabin from
US$25
Martha's Guest House
Far West St and Waight's Ave
T
804 3647,
W
marthasbelize.com.
Ever-expanding
central guesthouse, run by friendly owners Martha and
John August. Rooms are very comfortable and well
furnished; most have beautiful tiled bathrooms, cable TV
and either private or shared balcony, and there are also two
guest lounges. Luxurious family-sized suites on the top
floor have grand views. There's also a gift shop, drop-off
laundry and goo
d resta
urant (
see op
posite). Rates include
breakfast. Room
US$76
, suite
US$87
★
4
Midas Resort
Branch Mouth Rd
T
824 3172,
W
midasbelize.com.
Set in trees and pasture close to the
riverbank, within walking distance of the town centre but
with the peace and quiet of the countryside,
Midas
is part
backcountry resort, part in-town hotel. The main building,
fronting the swimming pool, has comfortable well-
equipped rooms upstairs and a bar below, while more
idiosyncratic options stretch back through the gardens, in
the shape of individual wooden or concrete
cabañas
, each
with its own porch and private bathroom, and single-
storey cottages divided into spacious en-suite
rooms
.
Breakfas
t and
snacks availa
ble. Cott
age rooms
US$64
,
cabañas
US$81
, hotel rooms
US$109
San Ignacio Resort Hotel
18 Buena Vista St
T
824
2034, from US
T
800 822 3274,
W
sanignaciobelize
.com.
A steep walk
uphill from the town, towards Cahal
Pech, the town's premier hotel hosted Queen Elizabeth
in 1994. While not quite a match for Belize's high-end
jungle resorts, all its a/c rooms are spacious, some with
balconies, and the honeymoon suite has a jacuzzi on the
balcony. The lush rainforest gardens, home to an iguana
exhibit (see p.139), offer great birdwatching. The
Running W Restaurant
(see opposite) overlooks
the poo
l,
and
there's
also a bar/nightclub. Rooms
US$218
,
suite
US$313
Hi-Et Hotel
12 West St
T
824 2828,
W
aguallos
.com/hietguesthouse.
Deservedly popular budget hotel
that offers shared-bath rooms in a charming wooden
colonial-era building - those upstairs come with a tiny
balcony - and larger rooms with private bath in an
adjoini
ng concr
ete an
nexe. Book ahead. Shared-bath
US$13
, en-suite
US$26
Mana Kai Camping and Cabins
Branch Mouth Rd
T
824 6538,
W
manakaibz.weebly.com.
Campsite
close to the Macal River that offers tent camping with
hammocks, showers and outdoor cooking, and screened
rustic cabins, each with its own bathroom and veranda,
EATING
As well as plenty of good, inexpensive
restaurants
, San Ignacio holds several reliable
fast-food stalls
, including a
popular taco stand in front of the post of
ce that does spicy business until 2 or 3am. On most afternoons, small boys sell
tasty, freshly cooked
empanadas
and
tamales
on the street.
