Western Belize's Cayo District is best know for its spectacular Maya sites, its lush tropical forests teeming with prolific wildlife, and for offering a wide range of adventures for all ages.

The Cayo District is Belize's premier destination for nature and adventure lovers alike and offers the visitor a vast array of exciting adventures and nature based activities including caving and spelunking, hiking, bird-watching, zip-lining, horse riding, canoeing, cave kayaking, jungle tubing, cave tubing, rappelling, chocolate making, cultural tours, and exploring ancient Maya cities - just to name a few! Whether you seek an active daily schedule or want to take in the breathtaking surroundings at a slower pace, the Cayo District truly has it all!

SabreWing Travel's Top Picks for Adventures & Activities in the Cayo District

Adventure Tours:

  • Hike through the forest, explore a wet cave, and descend to Xibalba, the Maya underworld, on the ATM Cave tour (Actun Tunichil Muknal)

  • Go Cave Tubing and follow the turquoise waters of the Cave's Branch River underground

  • Kayak through miles of caves along and jungle the Cave's Branch River

  • Soar through the trees on a canopy zip-line

  • Rappel 300 feet into a massive collapsed cave system on the Black Hole Drop

  • Challenge your physical strength and sense of adventure with the Crystal Cave tour at Blue Hole National Park

  • Discover the beauty of formations inside the Barton Creek Cave via canoe

Maya Sites:

  • Take in the spectacular 360 degree view of Western Belize from the top of El Castillo temple at the Xunantunich Maya Site

  • Visit an ancient Maya palace at Cahal Pech, located right in San Ignacio Town

  • Explore the jungle-clad temples at the remote El Pilar Maya Site, which is also renowned for its excellent bird-watching

  • Journey through the Mountain Pine Ridge to the massive Maya city of Caracol and climb the Ka'ana Temple - the tallest structure in Belize

  • Discover the ceremonial Maya burial deep inside the ATM Cave - Actun Tunichil Muknal

  • Journey to Guatemala to visit the most famous Maya Site of all - Tikal, located in the Maya Biosphere Reserve

Nature Tours:

  • Go bird-watching at the jungle lodges and revel in a riot of bird-song bright feathers

  • Surround yourself in a fluttering rainbow of butterflies at the Green Hills Butterfly Farm or Chaa Creek Natural History Center

  • Canoe the Macal River to spot iguanas, water birds, and even an occasional Morlet's Crocodile

  • Hike through the jungle with a local naturalist guide to learn about the area's flora and fauna

  • Visit the Belize Zoo to see the native animals in natural habitat enclosures

  • Take a horseback riding excursion

  • Swim in the waterfalls and granite pools of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

  • Go on a night-walk in the jungle to spot nocturnal creatures

We have personally field tested the adventures and activities that we recommend to ensure that they are fun, safe and deliver an experience that is unique to the area and showcases the best of our beautiful country.

Hidden Valley Inn is Located in the mountain pine ridge and offers some of the best hiking opportunities in the country

Hidden Valley Inn is Located in the mountain pine ridge and offers some of the best hiking opportunities in the country

Featured Accommodations of the Cayo District >

Finding the perfect base camp for your inland Belize Adventure is easy as western Belize offers a wide range of accommodation options to choose from. Whether you prefer a cozy inn, a remote jungle lodge, a fun hotel in town, or a luxurious boutique resort, the Cayo District truly has it all. We feature the most unique of these accommodations - exceptional establishments that offer excellent service and one of a kind locations that showcase the incredible natural beauty of Belize's interior.