The Maya Mountains are a mountain range running through Belize and into Guatemala in Central America. At the highest peak, the mountains reach 1,124 metres (3,688 ft) above sea level and houses one of the world’s highest levels of diversity and a great number of ancient Mayan ruins. Located in the Cayo district, San Ignacio is then a major town in Belize and a fantastic base to explore the mountains.
Belize itself is a fantastic little country to visit in Central America and especially great for English speaking visitors as English is the official language, although Belizean Creole and Spanish are often spoken. Belize is located on the eastern side of Central America and is bordered by Mexico in the north, Guatemala in the west and south then by the beautiful Caribbean Sea on the east.
Surrounded by rainforest, San Ignacio is a friendly town and one of the main options to visit in the Cayo District of Belize, making it a great place to visit the surrounding attractions. Not just for visitors, San Ignacio then offers a local charm with different markets to explore.
Although you will enjoy your visit year round, a favored time to visit is the drier season as the majority of the year’s rain falls between June to November, with the coldest month in January and the hottest month is May.
Our choice for a Maya Mountains resort near San Ignacio, Belize, is the Mystic River Resort. The resort provides fantastic suites with a comfortable beds, your own private patio for great views, and a range of fantastic activities.
The Mystic River Resort & Spa is located about 7 miles from San Ignacio and provides friendly staff and an eco-friendly, private, and relaxing accommodation to enjoy the rainforest, wildlife, Mayan ruins, and rivers of Belize.
Your have a choice of two different suites at Mystic River Resort, from the River View Studio Suites featuring a private patio, fireplace, king size bed, and a fantastic view of the Macal River. If you prefer, you can have a twin bed added to the room for families who want to share.
For another option, you can choose the One-bedroom Riverview Suites featuring a separated living room and bedroom. Then, as with the River View Studio Suites, the one-bedroom suites feature a fireplace, private patio, and a great view over the Macal River.
The Mystic River ‘La Ranita’ restaurant then provides delicious cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The chef prepares some very delicious foods using the freshest ingredients, from the vegetables to meats and cheeses.
The menu is diverse and includes local Caribbean, Latin American, and Thai dishes, but let them know if you have dietary needs or would like a certain food prepared.
In addition to the diverse rainforest, a comfortable room, and the fantastic food, you can also enjoy the Mystic River Resort spa and yoga options. The Jasmine Spa provides special spa treatments, massages, and facials.
From an environmental perspective, the resort generates its own electricity and collects and purifies its own water. There is also an active reforestation program to replant indigenous trees that were cut down during Belize’s main logging years.
For on-site activities, you can simply relax in the river, get to the deeper areas of the Eddy for a swim, or use one of our inner tubes to just float around. You can stay connected to friends and family using the resort WiFi available at the restaurant and bar.
In addition to the comfortable Mystic River Resort & Spa and river, you can also enjoy your choice of excellent activities at the reserve, such as visiting the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, Caracol, Cahal Pech and even Tikal, or visiting waterfalls, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, cave exploration, and horse riding.
About the Mayan Ruins
Caracol is the country’s largest set of ruins and contains the largest and most famous temples in Belize. As the area is mostly unexcavated, it provides the real Indiana Jones style experience many visitors are after.
Cahal Pech is a main Mayan attraction and was abandoned here around 1000 years ago. Offering around two hours of exploring the ruins, you can also enjoy a small museum of artifacts near the site.
Xunantunich is another large site with different plazas and many temples. One of the most well known is an impressive temple known as ‘El Castillo’, which is the second tallest Mayan structure in Belize after those at Caracol.
After your activities, you can then relax of an evening in the Palapa Jungle Bar following your delicious meals in the restaurant. Enjoy wildlife sightings as you enjoy a cocktail or refreshing drink to see iguanas enjoying the water or even horses crossing the Macal River. The bar is also a favored place to spot different birds at the lodge, such as parrots, toucans and mot-mots.
