Top Things to do in Cayo
What to do and see in Cayo, Belize: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Cayo, Belize including The Maya Ruins of Caracol, Xunantunich, Belize Nature Travel, Explore Inland Tours, Belize Grand Jaguar Tours, Actun Tunichil Muknal, ATM Cave Tour, AJAW Chocolate & Crafts, Kawiil Tours, Cahal Pech.
Restaurants in Cayo
1. The Maya Ruins of Caracol
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 614 reviews
This 30-acre complex is the largest Mayan ruin in Belize.
Reviewed By Sandi-and-Tim - New Castle, United States
Despite having a rental car, my husband, son, and I opted to hire a tour guide (and HIS vehicle) for this trip, in part because of the 52 miles of rough dirt road. Don't be scared off by the "you must join the police escort" warnings. The ruins are close to the Belize-Guatemala border, and the escort was started due to a single incident a few years ago...but there haven't been any reported incidents since then. Caracol has the highest Mayan temple in Belize. In fact, we couldn't see the top from the ground. According to our guide, LIDAR Radar readings taken in the last few years show that there are around 36,000 Mayan buildings in the surrounding jungle that have not been excavated, and they estimate that there were approximately 1.5 million inhabitants at one point. One of the thing that's so amazing about that is that there is no water source nearby. What they did find, though, was over 200 retention ponds. This is a destination that is not as well traveled as some of the other Mayan ruins in Belize due to the poor access, but it is well worth the effort to get there. If you do go without a guide, make sure you sign in at the police checkpoint. Past that point the road is narrow and mostly one way in in the morning and out in the afternoons. Oh, if you do use a guide, make sure he lets you eat some minty-tasting termites. :-)
2. Xunantunich
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,467 reviews
Reviewed By galencampbell - Calgary, Canada
The ruins are excellent and will be workout climbing up and down, with fantastic views from the highest points. We picked up a guide before crossing the ferry. Elfego had A LOT of knowledge, which makes sense since he must have been at least 70 and had been giving tours and working with archaeologists at Xunantunich for decades. The visitor center is good, with enough information to educate you, but not so much as to be excessive. I still recommend a guide though for better explanations of what you are seeing when you are actually looking at it. We also got lucky and saw two troops of howler monkeys howling at each other in trees just up the hill from the ferry (so keep your windows down and your ears listening as you drive in).
3. Belize Nature Travel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 258 reviews
Explore the undiscovered with Belize Nature Travel and our team of experienced guides and reservationists . Lets not forget our amazing cook .We aim to give our guests the best experience of our Beautiful Country of Belize. Come and feel at home with Belize Nature Travel only the Best for you !
4. Explore Inland Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 289 reviews
Let us at Destiny Tours help guide you through the amazing Mayan world. Let our professional and certified guides help you walk in the foot of the Maya and learn their culture, religion and much more. Our aim is to give our guests the best and most comfortable experience in Belize.
5. Belize Grand Jaguar Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Belize Grand Jaguar Tours offers discounted rates for snorkeling, Mayan Ruins, Cave Tubing, ATM and more!
6. Actun Tunichil Muknal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 874 reviews
This remote cave is filled with relics left over from the Mayans.
Reviewed By 143trishc
My family and I visited Actun Tunichil Muknal June of 2019. This is not like a cave in the US where tourists visit. YOu must hike, cross rivers, swim across the pool at the entrance of the cave, wade up streams, squeeze through tight passages, climb rocks in you socks and up a ladder to reach the crystal maiden. Worth every second! It is so beautiful, amazing and tragic too. I am grateful for the experience, it was truly a trip of a lifetime.
7. ATM Cave Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,048 reviews
Actun Tunichil Muknal “Cave of the Stone Sepulcher” or ATM Cave as it is locally known is located in the heart of the Belizean Rainforest. A 45 minutes hike to the cave, You will cross the Roaring River on three occasions and the return hike on that same trail. This cave offers a unique, eerie experience as it was once use by the Ancient Maya. It hosts a variety of skeletons, the most famous is the Crystal Maiden, ceramics and stone tools. This cave offers a unique, eerie experience as it was once use by the Ancient Maya. You will learn the history of this cave and the rituals that were conducted in the cave. From bloodletting to human sacrifice, and other rituals that occurred in the cave over one thousand years ago.
8. AJAW Chocolate & Crafts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 370 reviews
AJAW Chocolate & Craft is a locally owned local attraction demonstrating the process of making chocolate drink. It is a hands-on experience and you taste organic chocolate. Sample it and take with you a rich organic chocolate bar.
Reviewed By 645morgang
Loved the hour long learning and tasting of coco beans. The coco nibb cookies at the counter are delicious and we got a couple bags of coco nibbs to go so we could bake and make smoothies at home!
9. Kawiil Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 92 reviews
Luis from Ka’wiil Tours is widely known for his tour of Actun Tunichil Muknal or the ATM Cave which generally leaves San Ignacio daily at 8 a.m. The ATM Cave Tour can easily be arranged for the travelers who aren’t staying in San Ignacio. Luis can schedule to meet you at Teakettle Village, where the road to the Cave parking lot begins. Ka’Wiil Tour Company aims to provide the utmost best tours and attractions while providing a heartwarming experience to all its customers. Tours such as ATM Cave, Caracol, Xunantunich, Tikal and Cahal Pech Mayan Site can be booked. Exploring Barton Creek Cave, the Mountain Pine Ridge or venture off Cave Tubing, Zip Lining, horseback riding, River Canoeing. Some Tours can be combined for a full day of fun and adventure. This San Ignacio Tour company is focused on safety, Reliability and knowledgeable tour guides to deliver an excellent experience to you.
10. Cahal Pech
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,527 reviews
This ancient Mayan site features a museum and several dozen surviving structures.
Reviewed By cliffordicus - Salt Lake City, United States
Cahal Pech is one of the oldest grouping of Mayan Ruins we know of dating back to some of the earliest traces of Mayan history. Compared to many other ruin nearby like Xunantunich, its basically deserted. This is an amazing opportunity to explore some ruins practically on your own (at least that was our experience) the complex goes on and on and is so fun to step into history, literally, and see the amazing structures of a time long past. It's within walking distance of the downtown area (though you'll climb a fairly steep hill) and in really close proximity to a few hotels, including our own, the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. It's close, and it's worth it.
