3 perfect days in San Ignacio, Belize

Day 1 – Discover Downtown & Ancient Ruins

Morning

• Sip a freshly brewed coffee and a buttery croissant at our Daily Grind Café—the perfect start. Our artisan flavored syrups are made in-house, so be sure to add an extra “pump” of flavor to your latte or cappuccino, and ask us about our options for turning your croissant into a sweet or savory breakfast sandwich!
  
  
• Take a short stroll (5 min) to the San Ignacio Market—vibrant, local, and full of energy, here you’ll get a great taste of the local culture, fresh fruits and veggies, local treats & street food, crafts, and a beautiful view of the Macal river and historic Hawksworth Bridge from the boardwalk.
  
  

Lunch

Stroll through town over to Erva’s for a delicious lunch (only 3 min walking from the West House, and a 10 min walk from the San Ignacio Market). We HIGHLY recommend the ceviche, coconut seafood, curry, and Belizean style rice & beans!

Afternoon Adventure

• Drive ~30 min to Xunantunich via George Price Highway, cross the iconic hand-cranked cable ferry, then explore the ancient city (if you’re lucky, you may spot howler monkeys in the trees nearby!) including climbing “El Castillo” for a breathtaking aerial view of the Belizean jungle, and a peek of our neighboring Guatemala from the top!
  
  On the way back, make sure to stop in at the Xunantunich Restaurant and Cafe (opposite side of the road from the ferry, up the street a little) for a cool down with some freshly made fruit juice (their fresh orange, ginger lime, and cucumber lemonade are all incredibly refreshing after a busy afternoon at the ruins).
  
  

Evening

• Dinner at Guava Limb—a guest favorite for locally sourced, farm-to-table cuisine. Think oven-fired-pizzas made with fresh local ingredients & handmade doughs, fresh cocktails made from local fruit juices, salads, curries, tacos, steaks, and even seafood!
  
  
• Wind down with your favorite cocktail from the Terrace Bar (we highly recommend our mojitos, a negroni, or local Belizean “Belikin” beer) before curling up with a good book.
  
  

Day 2 – Jungle Trails & Urban Retreat

Early Morning

• Ease into the day with early morning in-room coffee on your private terrace or while swinging in your hammock.
  
  
• Grab an early local breakfast from the market— we suggest pupusas at El Fogon (Opens 7am) accompanied by a beautiful morning view of the Macal river + the sounds of Belizean birds, and the chatter, hustle, and bustle of San Ignacio market culture.
  
  

Mid-Morning

• Grab a drink & snack from the daily grind as you head out at 9:30/45 towards your 10:30 AM horseback riding session at Morningside Ranch (~30–40 min drive)—explore scenic mountain trails, riverside, and lush forest & citrus orchard paths 
  
  

Late Lunch

Ready to eat like a local?  Mincho’s fast food and other similar little mom & pop owned food stalls are daily local lunch favorites – and for good reason.

You’ll want to try:

Salbutes - fried corn masa (dough), topped with shredded stewed chicken & fresh vegetables
Panades - Fried corn masa (dough)  “empanades” stuffed with chicken, fish, or beans, and topped with a fresh cabbage and carrot slaw
Day 2 – Jungle Trails & Urban Retreat

Early Morning

Ease into the day with early morning in-room coffee on your private terrace or while swinging in your hammock.

Grab an early local breakfast from the market— we suggest pupusas at El Fogon (Opens 7am) accompanied by a beautiful morning view of the Macal river + the sounds of Belizean birds, and the chatter, hustle, and bustle of San Ignacio market culture.

Mid-Morning

Grab a drink & snack from the daily grind as you head out at 9:30/45 towards your 10:30 AM horseback riding session at Morningside Ranch (~30–40 min drive)—explore scenic mountain trails, riverside, and lush forest & citrus orchard paths 

Late Lunch

• Ready to eat like a local?  Mincho’s fast food and other similar little mom & pop owned food stalls are daily local lunch favorites – and for good reason.
  
  You’ll want to try:
  
  Salbutes - fried masa (corn dough), topped with shredded stewed chicken & fresh vegetables
  Panades - Fried masa  “empanades” stuffed with chicken, fish, or beans, and topped with a fresh cabbage and carrot slaw
  Garnaches - Fried corn tortillas topped with beans, cheese, and cabbage
  Belizean style flour tortilla burritos - filled with chicken, beans, cheese, and cabbage
  Quesadilla’s - folded flour tortilla filled with melted cheese & chicken
  Stuffed Jacks - A Belizean favorite of puffy fried flour tortilla dough, usually filled with beans, cheese, and chicken.

Afternoon

• International travel, along with yesterday’s adventure & today’s horseback riding session may have you in need of some down-time. Book yourself a 4 PM relaxing massage at Gretel’s Spa. Recharge, then swing by Daily Grind for a coffee or tea, and some “to-go” macarons to enjoy later.
  
  

Evening

• Stop by Ko’ox Haña for a hearty mouth-watering Belizean style dinner.  Open till 9pm daily, their stews, curries, stuffed quesadillas, and meat dishes are loved by both locals and travellers. For those with a sweet tooth, this is a great time to try local dessert favorites like Belizean-style lemon pie & flan.
  
  
• Back at the hotel, savor wine or a cocktail on the West House Terrace with your macarons under the stars.
  

Day 3 – Big Adventure

Early Morning

• Rise early (6 AM) and enjoy complimentary in-room coffee before heading out.
  
  
• Grab a Fryjack or Johnny cake breakfast at Pops (4 min walk from the West House).
  
  

Morning to Afternoon

• Embark on a full-day adventure with Cayo Inland Tours:
  
  
• Canoe through Barton Creek Cave, a 45–60 min drive on scenic dirt roads through Mayan villages. Paddle into a sacred Maya burial site with limestone formations and relics.
  
  
• Then, visit Big Rock Falls (~1 hr further into Mountain Pine Ridge forest reserve) Swim beneath the 150-ft waterfall and enjoy a complimentary packed tour lunch surrounded by pine forest.
  
  
• Return by 4 PM—grab a comforting chai or matcha from Daily Grind & enjoy some comfy down-time in your air-conditioned room at the West House.
  
  

Evening

• Enjoy a late dinner at CRAVE—a top pick for modern Belizean cuisine. Crave House of Flavour offers a cozy, upscale bistro experience you’ll want to plan ahead for. Each dish is prepared fresh by a professional chef, with daily specials using locally grown ingredients. The menu includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options—and staff are happy to accommodate special diets .
• 
  Close off the weekend with a nightcap at the Terrace Bar.

After three perfect days, one thing is clear: whether it’s comfort, convenience, or charm, the West House offers it all. With our downtown location, cozy rooms, and on-site café and bar, we’re proud to be your home away from home in San Ignacio.

Ready to experience the best of Cayo District?  We can’t wait to welcome you!