One of the most accessible Mayan sites in Belize, Xunantunich, is located on a hilltop site above the Mopan River west of San Ignacio. and is only half an hour away. You take a hand-pulled ferry across the river. El Castillo, the massive 120-foot-high main pyramid and still the second-tallest structure in Belize after Caana at Caracol, was built on a leveled hilltop. The pyramid, which you can climb if you have the energy, has a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the Mopan River valley into Guatemala.

The entrance to ATM Cave is protected by a deep pool of cool water that visitors must traverse by swimming. Once inside, the cave opens up to a series of enormous stalactites and stalagmites. Further in lie the bones of the Crystal Maiden as well as thousands of fragmented pots and vessels that are scattered. This ancient cave is only and hour and a 1/2 away.

Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge covers a little over 1,000 square miles. Visitors can visit the Thousand Foot Falls, Explore and swim at the Rio On Pools, explore the Barton Creek Caves, climb Big Rock Falls or visit Caracol, another Mayan site. To get there it is only an hour an a half away.

Beaches and Cayes are approximately 4 hours away. You can choose to drive down to the Southern part of the country and visit the beaches at Hopkins or Placencia, or visit the Cayes such as Caye Caulker and San Pedro. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.