San Ignacio Hotels—Best Places to Stay in San Ignacio, Belize
Looking for the best San Ignacio hotels? This guide has all the top picks from the area, including resorts, eco-lodges, and budget stays!
San Ignacio is known for being Belize’s adventure capital because of its many outdoor places to explore. While here, you can check out Mayan ruins and incredible caves and even go on a chocolate tour or medicinal plant walk.
When you’re not out adventure-seeking, you can lounge at one of the city’s famous eco-lodges in the middle of the jungle. There are also plenty of accommodation choices in town for those that prefer to be in the city center and closer to markets and other activities.
Get ready to find the best San Ignacio, Belize lodging with this complete guide!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.
San Ignacio, Belize Accommodation—Quick Guide
Here is my quick guide on where to stay in San Ignacio, Belize. These are the four best hotels in the area, and you can’t go wrong with booking one of them!
Budget—Nabitunich: This is one of the best hotels in San Ignacio, Belize. The hotel is small and located on a farm right in the middle of the jungle. All the units have plenty of space to relax outdoors, including terraces that overlook the garden. Some rooms have outdoor fireplaces. Breakfast is included, and they offer local dishes as well as English and American choices.
Mid-range— Rainforest Haven Inn: If you’re looking for an affordable hotel in the heart of the downtown area, this should be the first place you book. The entire place has free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. You can also whip up a meal in the shared kitchen to save money rather than going out.
Luxury—Gaia Riverlodge: Not sure where to stay in San Ignacio? This luxury hotel is one of my top picks because the grounds are absolutely stunning. They also have a lot of extra amenities compared to similarly priced hotels, including free bike rentals and free room service. Their breakfast is amazing, with plenty of different options!
Resort—San Ignacio Hotel Resort: Voted one of the best places to stay in San Ignacio, this hotel is known for hosting Queen Elizabeth II when she visited. The resort is set on 17 acres of wilderness where you can see birds and plenty of wildlife.
San Ignacio Town Center
Most people stay in the town center for a few nights to be close to some of the main attractions, including shopping in the San Ignacio Market. Since the town center is centrally located, you can also get to all the adventure activities fairly quickly.
I recommend staying in the city center while you do all your activities, whether it be exploring the caves, ziplining, or just shopping.
Once you’re done with your activities, you can check into one of the lodges or resorts further out of the town for a nice and quiet stay right in the middle of the Belizian jungle.
Budget—Yellow Belly Backpackers: Located in downtown San Ignacio, this is a great budget place to stay. All the rooms are shared and have bunk beds, so it’s an awesome way to meet other travelers. They have free Wi-Fi, a lounge area, and a shared kitchen.
Mid-Range—Rolson Hotel: Just a short walk from the main downtown area, you’ll find this comfortable and spacious hotel. They have free Wi-Fi and free parking, which is perfect if you have a rental car. They also have a nice outdoor pool you can enjoy when the weather is nice and dry.
Luxury—Falling Leaves Lodge: If you want some luxury in the town center, head to Falling Leaves Lodge. All the rooms are air-conditioned with free Wi-Fi. The hotel also has a wonderful reception desk where they can organize tours for you. There is also a restaurant on-site with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Resort—Mahogany Hall Luxury Boutique Resort: There are not many resorts in the town center, but this is one of the closest resorts you’ll find. They have beautiful tropical gardens as well as an on-site restaurant and bar. One of the best parts is breakfast is served every morning for free.
Cayo District
This Cayo district list includes everything outside of downtown San Ignacio. Most of these hotels are about a 20-30 minute drive from the center of town. This is a beautiful place to stay if you want to be close to nature because there are many eco-lodges right in the middle of the wilderness.
There is also a lot of jungle land to explore, and many companies do guided tours and hikes so you can experience the wildlife and landscape.
Budget—Maya Mountain Lodge: About two miles from the city center, this rustic lodge is right in the middle of the Belzian Jungle. The rooms have everything you need, from spacious beds to their own kitchens to air conditioning. Make sure to ask for a room with a porch so you can take advantage of the hammocks with garden views!
Mid-range—Mariposa Jungle Lodge: One of the reasons people love this eco-lodge is because there are so many accommodation choices to choose from, including bungalows, luxury suites, and cabanas. They have a beautiful restaurant on site that serves a mix of Belizian food and American dishes.
Luxury—Cahal Pech Village Resort: For the best views of the Belize River Valley, make sure to check into this beautiful resort. They have a little restaurant on site where you can eat local cuisine, then head to the tour desk afterward for an organized nature walk or another activity. They also have a beautiful outdoor swimming pool. It’s just outside of the town and right next to the Cahap Pech ruins.
Resort—Ka’ana Resort: For a true luxury and VIP experience, check in at this hotel, which is known for having excellent customer service. This 5-star hotel has all the amenities you need, including a spa, infinity pool, and free Wi-Fi. You must eat at least one meal at the on-site restaurant, La Ceiba. They have traditional Belizian dishes with a gourmet flare.
Resort—The Lodge at Chaa Creek: Since there is no resort for the area listed below, I thought I’d add two in this section so you can choose! This is one of the most popular resorts in the area, thanks to its stunning jungle views, spa, and swimming pool. They also have a restaurant on-site with locally sourced ingredients. You can also go Mayan medicinal plant walks from this hotel! Just make sure to make a reservation.
Santa Elena
Santa Elena is a small town located right next to San Ignacio. The Macal River separates the two towns, but two bridges connect the towns, making it super easy to walk from one to the other.
It’s a great place to stay if you want a quieter atmosphere. There are a few small restaurants and a few local bars where you can try local food.
The hotels here are also a bit cheaper than San Ignacio, so it’s a nice place to stay if you’re on a budget.
Budget—Drift Inn Cayo: For a budget stay in Santa Elena, Drift Inn has everything you need to enjoy a simple stay in Belize. Each room has a patio or balcony where you can enjoy fresh air. They have an on-site restaurant, and breakfast is free every morning.
Mid-range—Santa Cruz Cabins: This bed & breakfast is a great place to stay in Santa Elena if you want a quiet place that feels just like home. Each cabin also has a wonderful patio with views of the mountain. Breakfast is included, and they have local as well as American options.
Luxury—Midas Belize: There are not many luxury options in Santa Elena, but this is a beautiful little vacation home near the city center where you and your family or group of friends can relax. The home has everything you need, including a fully equipped kitchen with a coffee machine. They have free Wi-Fi and a balcony with incredible views.
Top Things to Do in San Ignacio, Belize
San Ignacio is mostly a hub for adventure seekers, so there are plenty of outdoor activities not to miss while here.
The good news is that the weather in San Ignacio is almost always warm, and there is very little rainfall. Even in the rainy season, it only rains for a few hours every day.
This makes it super easy to get outside and enjoy all the best San Ignacio has to offer!
- Tour the Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech. San Ignacio has plenty of different day trips to check out, but Cahal Pech should be the first one you check out. You only have to walk about 20 minutes from the town center to get here. There are over 34 structures to explore!
- Go on a chocolate tour. Mayan chocolate is amazing, and you must learn to make it in Belize. On a chocolate tour with Ajaw Chocolate, you can also learn about the history of the chocolate beans and even taste them while they are still raw.
- Buy some souvenirs in the San Ignacio Market. Right in the middle of town, you’ll find the San Ignacio Market. It’s a traditional Central American Market with fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
- Go on a mural walk. The city center is covered in amazing murals. Take a few hours and walk around to see them all. The murals cover many different subjects, including the history and culture of the city.
- Go on a medicinal plant walk. You can take a guided tour of the forests with The Lodge at Chaa Creek. The guide will show you all the different plants and give you a history of which ones are used for medicine and what they are used to treat.
- See the Xunantunuch Ruins. You can walk up to the top of most of the structures and spend the day exploring these Mayan ruins just a short distance away from the city center.
How to Get to San Ignacio
If you are not already in Belize, you must first fly into Belize City as the San Ignacio Airport is very small and does not have international flights. From Belize City, you can take one of the domestic airplanes like Tropic Air to get to San Ignacio.
If you don’t want to fly, you can also take a taxi from the airport, although this can be a little expensive.
Some of the cheapest ways to get to San Ignacio are to take a bus or take a shuttle service. Shuttle services are shared between many people, so you pay less than if you took a private taxi. Sam took William’s Shuttle Service, and she’d recommend it.
How to Get Around San Ignacio
The city of San Ignacio is small, and you can very easily walk from one place to another. If you want to go to other places in Cayo, the district where San Ignacio is located, then you can take shuttle buses or taxis.
Ask at your resort or hotel; they often have locals they can recommend to take you around if you don’t have a car.
When to Visit San Ignacio, Belize
The main tourist season in Belize is from December to April. This is when the weather is the best, so it draws in quite a large crowd. Since it’s the main season for tourists, you can also expect prices to be higher for hotels and accommodations.
You can visit in August through November if you don’t mind a little rain. Even though it’s the rainy season, it usually only rains for a few hours daily, so you can still enjoy plenty of activities.
Is San Ignacio Worth It?
The simple answer is yes! San Ignacio is a beautiful city with plenty to do and see. It’s also an especially great city for nature lovers, with Mayan ruins, caves, and plenty of rivers to explore.
How many days should I spend in San Ignacio?
This depends on how many days you have prepared for your vacation time! Aim to spend at least three days, as this should allow you enough time to see all the best sights and explore the food and restaurant scene.
What is San Ignacio, Belize, known for?
San Ignacio is known for many different things, including Mayan Ruins like the ATM Cave. Many people also travel here to stay in one of the amazing lodges mentioned in this guide since there are eco-lodges right in the middle of the wilderness.
Belize is also well known for its cuisine, as many of the dishes are a great mix of Caribbean and Spanish dishes.
Book One Of These Amazing San Ignacio Hotels in Belize!
Before heading off to your vacation in Belize, make sure to book one of these incredible San Ignacio Hotels. With so many lodges and resorts, it can be challenging to determine which hotel is best in terms of location and amenities.
Choose a suggestion from this guide, and you can be sure you’re staying in some of the best lodgings in San Ignacio, Belize.
Are you going to San Ignacio? Which of these hotels are you going to book?
You Might Also Like
- Chocolate Tour Belize—AJAW Chocolate, San Ignacio
- 8 Top Things to Do in San Ignacio, Belize
- ATM Cave Tour—Most Sacred Cave in Belize
- Belize Barrier Reef Snorkeling from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
- 5 Day Trips from San Ignacio, Belize
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins—Top Ancient Mayan Ruins in Belize
Like it? Pin it!
