North America / Belize
Places to go. A little room to wander.
THE SHORTLIST
Belmopan
is as close as you can get to flying over the jungle. As you soar from tree to tree, experience a bird's-eye view of the Belize jungle, and scenery that cannot be seen from the ground. You will be securely fastened to a harness that is attached to a cable. You push off from a platform up in a tree and zip along the cable to another platform
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Belmopan
(ATM) is a Mayan sacrificial burial site near Belmopan. The cave was a sacred site for the Mayans and it contains many examples of pottery, ceramics and stoneware, as well as several sets of human sacrificial remains, one of which (known as the "Crystal Maiden") has been almost entirely covered in limestone crystals by the water in the cave. The site is about 45 minutes drive from San Ignacio, and, due to the caving aspect, it may only be visited when accompanied by an official guide (who will provide appropriate safety equipment). Most tour companies in San Ignacio are able to offer officially guided tours.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Belmopan
Biggest ruin in Belize, yet mostly unexcavated, so you really feel like you are in a national park on a ruin. Ca'ana, place of the sky, is one of the biggest and most massive temples in the Mayan world. Definitely a must-see ruin, and it comes with stops at Rio On Pools and Rio Frio Cave too.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Regional outing · 15 km from Belmopan (straight line)
Exploring a remote cave once used by the ancient Mayas for ceremonial purposes. Hundreds of pieces of Mayan pottery chard's can be seen inside the cave. The cave is approximately a mile long and is adorned with beautiful stalactite and stalagmite making this a beautiful place for photographs
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Regional outing · 25 km from Belmopan (straight line)
A zoo that aims to bring visitors closer to Belize's natural heritage: the country's natural environment is kept intact here, and the animals in the zoo (well over 100 of them) are all native to Belize. None of the animals were taken from the wild—all were rescued, born at the zoo, injured and brought in for rehabilitation, or sent from other facilities. Wheelchair accessible.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
A note before you go. Treat St. Herman’s Cave as a separate regional outing from Belmopan. Arrange the outward and return journey before adding another visit on that day. The suggested days are an editable grouping, not a timed tour. Visit allowances exclude transfers, meals and queues; confirm the exact entrance and current visiting arrangements for Belize Zoo before setting off.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. Suggested days and time allowances are editorial starting points. Check the linked visitor information for opening hours, access, and reservations.
BEFORE YOU SET OFF
You can get around Belmopan by car or taxi, but Belmopan is a small city. Walking can get you around and really show you the true city.
St. Herman’s Cave and Belize Zoo are about 27.8 km apart in a straight line. Use the route link to compare the actual streets or transport connections before putting both in the same morning; the measurement is not a walking distance or a transfer estimate.
A LITTLE STRUCTURE. ROOM FOR DISCOVERY.
Add a few stops, choose your days, and leave space between them.
Time estimates cover visits only. Add time for meals, travel, queues, and breaks. Map links open Google Maps with your selected stops.
Save personal booking references elsewhere. Clearing browser storage removes your plans; download a copy to keep.
This city guide includes selected, abridged material by Wikivoyage contributors, adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. The adapted guide text is available under the same license; photographs and website design retain their separate terms. Selected and abridged reference descriptions; operational prices and timetables omitted. Elsewhere added the shortlist, geographic grouping and planning notes.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. It is community-edited background, not firsthand reporting or a live opening-hours service.
KEEP EXPLORING